Dog allergy: causes and treatment

Dog allergy belongs to the allergies of the immediate type. After cat allergy, dog allergy is one of the most common animal hair allergies. This means that contact with dog hair triggers an allergic reaction.

However, it is not the animal hair itself that is the problem at all, but allergens contained in the dog's dander, sebaceous glands, saliva or urine that stick to the fur and thus spread throughout the home. Therefore, it is sometimes enough for an allergy sufferer to enter a room where a dog has previously been. The animal does not even have to be touched directly to trigger sneezing fits and breathing problems.

In most cases, the cause of allergy symptoms is the allergen Can f 1, which adheres to dog hair and can cause allergic rhinitis or even allergic asthma in humans. However, this protein compound is nowhere near as aggressive as in cat allergy. While people with an allergy to cat dander often have to struggle with very severe symptoms, the complaints are usually milder when they come into contact with a dog. This is because the allergens are heavier and do not spread as easily in the air.

The typical complaints usually occur immediately or shortly after contact with the animal. Then it comes to:

• increased sneezing
• itching of the nose
• flowing nose
• clogged nose
• neck scratching
• cough
• breathlessness up to allergic asthma
• itching of the eyes
• watery eyes
• puffy eyes
• redness of the eyes
• an allergic conjunctivitis   
• skin eczema
• hives  

Every person reacts differently to the animal. It may be that you only suffer from a runny nose and sneezing irritation or just watery eyes. In more severe cases, several symptoms come together and trigger massive breathing problems.

Whether you have sporadic or permanent contact with dogs, you can take specific action against your dog allergy. Here are some helpful tips:

• First and foremost, prevent contact with allergens. Stay away from dogs and also from other animals such as cats and horses, because an animal hair allergy often occurs in contact with other animals.
• Against acute symptoms help Pollival® nasal spray and Pollival® eye drops, which are free of preservatives and therefore well tolerated. The contained active ingredient azelastine belongs to the antihistamines and stops the allergic reaction.
• If you are allergic to your own dog, it is of course difficult to keep away from the beloved four-legged friend. Then the vacuum cleaner with a special anti-allergenic filter becomes your second best friend, because with it you should regularly free furniture and floors from the dog hair.
• Replace upholstery and carpets in the living rooms best by leather, imitation leather and smooth floors, because the hair can settle there less.
• Remove all dust catchers such as pillows, stuffed animals, fabric flowers and curtains.
• Also important: a lot of airing. It is also useful to purchase an air purifier, which removes the allergens flying around.
• Change clothes every time after you have cuddled extensively with your four-legged friend.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after petting.
• Wash and comb your pet regularly. Preferably, the fur care is carried out by another person.
• The bedroom remains dog-free zone, so that you can at least breathe refreshed at night. The clothes you take off best already before the door, so that you do not carry the allergens into the room.
• If the eyes are permanently swollen, scratchy throat, shortness of breath spreads even with little contact and yet the love for your dog is boundless, a hypo- or desensitization could be the solution, which is carried out by a doctor. However, specific immunotherapy (SIT) usually takes about three years. In this process, the body is accustomed to the allergens step by step until the immune system no longer overreacts. After that, you can go with your dog despite dog allergy together through thick and thin.

If nothing helps at all and an allergic asthma threatens due to the breathing problems, you should make friends - albeit with a heavy heart - with the thought of giving your four-legged friend to another loving family.

Whether you have sporadic or permanent contact with dogs - you can take specific action against your dog allergy. Here are some helpful tips:

• First and foremost, prevent contact with allergens. Stay away from dogs and also from other animals such as cats and horses, because an animal hair allergy often occurs in contact with other animals.
• Against acute symptoms help Pollival® nasal spray and Pollival® eye drops, which are free of preservatives and therefore well tolerated. The contained active ingredient azelastine belongs to the antihistamines and stops the allergic reaction.
• If you are allergic to your own dog, it is of course difficult to keep away from the beloved four-legged friend. Then the vacuum cleaner with a special anti-allergenic filter becomes your second best friend, because with it you should regularly free furniture and floors from the dog hair.
• Replace upholstery and carpets in the living rooms best by leather, imitation leather and smooth floors, because the hair can settle there less.
• Remove all dust catchers such as pillows, stuffed animals, fabric flowers and curtains.
• Also important: a lot of airing. It is also useful to purchase an air purifier, which removes the allergens flying around.
• Change clothes every time after you have cuddled extensively with your four-legged friend.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after petting.
• Wash and comb your pet regularly. Preferably, the fur care is carried out by another person.
• The bedroom remains dog-free zone, so that you can at least breathe refreshed at night. The clothes you take off best already before the door, so that you do not carry the allergens into the room.
• If the eyes are permanently swollen, scratchy throat, shortness of breath spreads even with little contact and yet the love for your dog is boundless, a hypo- or desensitization could be the solution, which is carried out by a doctor. However, specific immunotherapy (SIT) usually takes about three years. In this process, the body is accustomed to the allergens step by step until the immune system no longer overreacts. After that, you can go with your dog despite dog allergy together through thick and thin.

If nothing helps at all and an allergic asthma threatens due to the breathing problems, you should make friends - albeit with a heavy heart - with the thought of giving your four-legged friend to another loving family.

For all dog fans with animal hair allergies, there is good news: there are dog breeds that produce fewer allergens than others. While there are no completely allergen-free breeds, because all dogs produce the same proteins - just in different amounts. In addition, some dogs shed less hair than others and thus distribute fewer allergenic substances in your environment. Allergy-friendly dog breeds include, for example:

• Poodle
• Goldendoodle
• Labradoodle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Snauzer
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Bichon frisé
• Shi Tzu
• Barbet
• Bolonka Zwetna

If you are already aware of the dog allergy before purchasing a dog, you should choose one of the breeds mentioned. Also good to know: There are differences between females and males. Male dogs secrete more allergens in some breeds.