Allergy to dogs in adults
If an allergy to dogs develops in adults, and a four-legged friend lives in the house, the situation is not simple. But it is important to make sure that this is definitely a reaction to the animal, and not to third-party allergens.

What to do if your pet, beloved dog, is the cause of your watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose? The most radical way to get rid of allergies is dissociation from the allergen. But for some, the psychological pain associated with abandoning a pet may outweigh the day-to-day problems associated with allergy symptoms.

Can adults be allergic to dogs?

The problem starts with dandruff, one of the most persistent and common allergens. Cats, dogs, and other furry or feathered animals also have dandruff, which is made up of microscopic particles such as skin flakes and proteins in saliva and urine. It can cause allergies and aggravate asthma. If you are allergic to dander, the easiest way to get rid of it is to find a new home for your pet. This is what most doctors will tell you. However, this advice is rarely welcomed or followed, even when the animal is causing serious problems. Some families can’t imagine giving away their pet – it’s almost like giving away one of their children.

If a family is unwilling to part with a pet, experts recommend a number of alternative measures, such as limiting contact between the pet and the allergy sufferer (for example, by keeping pets outside or outside the bedroom) and using air purifiers.

However, these measures are not as effective. And allergies will have consequences—more symptoms, more medications, and potentially worsening asthma. And while there may be some breeds that are considered less allergenic, no dogs are truly dandruff-free.

How does dog allergy manifest in adults?

Allergens from dogs get on the mucous membranes lining the nose and eyes, and airborne particles can enter the bronchi and lungs. Allergic reactions usually occur within a short time after contact with a pet and can include a number of unpleasant symptoms such as:

  • hives or skin rash;
  • wheezing and coughing;
  • labored breathing;
  • chest tightness;
  • nasal congestion, which can worsen to facial pain;
  • coryza;
  • sneezing;
  • itching and swelling of the eyelids;
  • inflamed, irritated eyes;
  • serious breathing problems, including wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Contact with a dog can cause attacks in 30% of asthma patients, and allergies to them can lead to chronic asthma. If you are allergic to pets, you are also more likely to develop sinusitis and other bacterial sinus infections.

How to treat dog allergies in adults

An often recommended treatment for pet allergies is simply avoiding contact with cats and dogs. Alas, this is the most reliable and effective way to get rid of allergies to dogs.

Diagnostics

Even if you have mild symptoms, it is recommended that you make an appointment with an allergist. Allergies can get worse over time, especially if you’re allergic to dogs. When you meet with your allergist, you should discuss your symptoms, including when they started and when they got worse. The doctor will review your medical history and may order a physical examination.

He will then recommend that you get tested. For example, a simple skin test, in which an allergen is applied to your skin and then the skin reaction is observed. Another option is a blood test. In some situations, your allergist may even ask you to move out of your home for a few days. If your allergy goes away, it means that your pet is causing these symptoms.

Modern methods

What to do if an allergist confirms that you are allergic to pets? Unfortunately, relocating a pet is the best option. If you decide so, you will have to carefully clean up the house. Pet dandruff can persist even after the dog has been given into good hands. For some people, getting rid of their pet is not an option at all. In these cases, get immunotherapy or take medication to help relieve allergy symptoms.

Remember also that your allergies can change. If there have been no previous reactions to dogs, it may occur. That is why you will have to visit your allergist constantly. It may be necessary to change your pet allergy treatment plan, especially if you continue to live with your pet even if you have allergies. If your allergy worsens or even improves, your allergist may recommend a different treatment.

One of the modern methods of treating allergies is allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). With such therapy, the patient is dripped onto the tongue or injected under the code of the allergen, which is the cause of the disease – first a small dose, and then it is gradually increased so that the immune system gets used to the allergen and does not show inadequate reactions. The treatment is very long, it can take up to 5 years, but in the end, the allergy either goes away or manifests itself in a mild form.

Dog Allergy Prevention in Adults at Home

If you are not ready to part with your pet, follow these rules:

  • make sure your dog is brushed and bathed regularly, but don’t do it yourself – wash your dog at least once a week to reduce allergens like dandruff;
  • buy an anti-allergic air conditioner or heater filter and run it daily for 4 hours or more;
  • if you snuggled up to your pet, then put on other clothes;
  • if you vacuum at home, always use a respirator to avoid inhaling dander and other pet allergens;
  • be sure to steam clean your carpet regularly to keep dandruff from lingering, consider removing the carpeting and laying down hardwood flooring instead – it’s much easier to clean up pet dander;
  • Have someone regularly clean toys, pet bedding, and other items he likes.
  • keep your pet away from the sofa and bedroom.

Popular questions and answers

Answered questions about allergies to dogs allergist-immunologist, Ph.D. Anatoly Bala.

Can all dogs be allergic?
There are no safe dog breeds. The only difference is that animals of different sexes and different breeds can secrete different amounts of allergenic proteins, and a person may not react to all these proteins, but only to some of them.
Can there be complications with dog allergies?
A complication of an allergy to dogs can be allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis. But the most serious disease that can result from allergies is bronchial asthma. It will need to be constantly monitored and properly treated, otherwise asthma can be fatal.
Is it possible to cure such an allergy to animals or will you have to give up your pets?
Rejecting an animal and giving it to good hands is not always the most effective way to get rid of allergies, especially since animal allergens remain in the room where the animal was for months and years, even with regular wet cleaning. To treat this type of allergy, allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is used – this is an “vaccination” against allergies, which teaches the human immune system not to respond to the allergen.

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