Humans and dogs have the same physical reactions to allergens - itching, watery eyes and runny noses. Our bodies respond to the foreign substance in the same way. The difference comes in because dogs cannot communicate with us; they don't complain. Pet owners need to recognize the symptoms when they occur. Allergic reactions in humans and dogs are similar.
Relieving allergies in humans
Fighting off allergies involves an approach on two levels - treating the symptoms and finding out what is causing the reaction so it can be avoided.
Anti-histamines provide the quickest relief because they act directly to suppress histamine. Histamine is a chemical messenger that acts at the cellular level to produce the itching, swelling, and redness associated with allergies. Unfortunately, the use of anti-histamine has other problems.
Anti-histamines don't actually cure allergies. As soon as you quit taking them, the allergic reaction will come right back. Only by removing the allergen from the environment will symptoms resolve completely. Another problem is that anti-histamines have troublesome side effects - these include drowsiness (enough so that driving should be avoided) and over drying of tissues.
Air purification is a better long-term solution than anti-histamines because it removes the allergy causing substance. It is ideal for allergens that are airborne. Pollen and dust that cause redness of the eye and swelling of the nasal passages can be filtered out of the air completely. Along with this, getting plenty of water for fluid replacement and increasing anti-oxidants aids recovery.
Relieving allergy symptoms in dogs
When dogs show excessive scratching or licking, an allergic reaction should be expected. This is most commonly a contact reaction to an allergen as opposed to a sinus/nasal reaction. In these cases, they may scratch so much that fur is removed in an area they can reach. When eyes or ears are affected, they may show frequent rubbing of the area or a discharge. If the discharge is smelly, suspect an infection over an allergy.
Anti-histamines are sometimes used in dogs, and they can provide short-term relief. However, just as in humans, they are not recommended for long-term control and do not offer a real solution. They are also difficult to dose properly because dogs vary so much in size and weight. Using air purification and hydrocortisone creams is better, but along with this, bedding has to be cleaned and a check for mites or fleas is warranted. If commercial creams or ointments are used, take care to prevent your pet from licking them off. While they are safe for external use, they are not safe to eat!
Home remedies
Poultices are moist vegetable based remedies that can help sooth involved areas on the skin. These can provide quick relief without the concerns that come with commercial preparations. They are best when a small area of skin is involved and they work well for both humans and dogs.
• A paste made of ground sandalwood with lime juice.
• Almond leaves ground fine and mixed with water.
• Baking soda as a thick paste can be used for insect bites or small areas of contact allergic reaction. Let the paste dry to help draw out toxins.
• Poppy seeds crushed and mixed with lime juice and water.
• Citrus fruit juices (lime, orange, and lemon) are often used because of the vitamin content and acidity - fresh squeezed is best.
• Vitamin E oil can be used to promote healing when an allergic reaction has damaged the skin.
Long-term relief for both humans and dogs
The two most effective ways of dealing with chronic allergy symptoms are to avoid the causative agent and to retrain the body so that exposure doesn't lead to a full blown attack. Both of these require some investigation to find out just what is causing the problem. Is it pollen or something else that is airborne? Is it some chemical in the food or on clothing or bedding?
The way to track down the specific allergen is to remove possible causes until the reaction goes away, and then reintroduce the suspect to see if the allergy returns. Understandably, this can be an involved process. However, the information you obtain will be important if you ever want to get a 'cure'.
When a specific cause is known, you can then work on prevention or acclimation. Prevention comes by way of air purification and avoidance. This works best for seasonal type reactions where the allergen will only appear for a short time. Acclimation is the process of retraining the body to accept the foreign substance without responding with symptoms. Gradual exposure with small amounts of the allergen over time can build up a tolerance, but great patience and dedication to the process is required. Because of this, the method is usually reserved for allergens that cannot be avoided.
Some common suspects:
• Coloring agents used in foodstuffs (both humans and dogs)
• Dust or mites in bedding, carpets and air ducts.
• Soaps and detergent products.
• Any newly used product or material that coincides with the onset of allergy symptoms.
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