Are You Allergic To Dogs?

Humans in general are not allergic to animals; however, some with hypersensitive immune system can become allergic to animals. Since most of us have cats or dogs in our homes, any allergy due to animals is most likely to be caused by a dog, or a cat.

Causes of dog allergies

People can be allergic to dog's dander, saliva, or urine. As most dogs urinate at outside places, the most common causes of allergies due to dog is saliva, or dander. Dander is the dead skin shed by dog. Many times, pollen that gets stuck to the coat of dogs can also cause allergies to pollen sensitive people.

Types of dog allergies caused

Allergy causing proteins (allergens) from dogs can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, running nose, coughing, and shortness of breath, wheezing, and serious asthma attack. Skin problems like, red skin rashes. You might experience headaches, or fatigue. If hands from dogs are directly touched to eyes, then it may also cause itchy and watery eyes. Different people may experience one or more type of these symptoms.

Some times, you may mistakenly consider an allergy to be caused by the dog. It is therefore important that you verify that the source of allergy. To do this, the simplest way is to keep the dog two to three months away from home. During this time, clean your home properly. Wash all the walls, floors, and steam clean the carpets. Clean all the furniture, and door and window covers. Allow air to pass through the house, so that the allergens that might be suspended in the air get removed. Cleaning the house of allergens might take more than three months. During this time, check the allergy symptoms. After 3 to 4 months, if you need bring the dog in the house, and compare the symptoms. This will give you an idea whether the allergy is due to pet or something else.

Prevention from dog allergies

1. Allergy from dogs is mostly caused by dander, and so controlling dander can help reducing the possibility of allergies from dogs. Here are few steps that can be taken so that allergy risks can be minimized

2. Bath your dog once or twice every week. It is better to have the dog accustomed to bath since young age, as the dog will later resist. It is better give the dog-medicated bath, or you can use a dog shampoo.

3. Take a proper bathe after bathing the dog, or cleaning dog cloths, beds, and other dog stuff.

4. Do not allow dogs to enter the bedrooms, and in no case allow them to get over the bed.

5. Spray anti-allergen powder at all the places where the dog lives.

6. At times when there is no pollen outside (some people are allergic to pollen), open the doors, and windows, to that the air passes through the house.

7. Put a sheet on the furniture, and car seat before allowing the dog to sit on them. Leather sheets are best.

9. Use HEPA room air cleaners, as they are best for people suffering from asthma, and other dog allergies.

10. Finally, provide your dog good multivitamin, and fatty acid diet. This will keep the dog free of diseases. Every body loves a good-looking healthy dog.