Managing Dog Allergies

Statistics show 60-70% of all American households include at least one dog or cat. That number means that up to 10 % of the population suffers from some sort of allergy due to these animals.

The next pet in line for allergies is the dog. Because dog allergies are so common, there is much information available to help the sufferer.

If your reaction is not severe and if you don’t have any other complications, such as asthma, you can successfully manage your allergic condition and enjoy days without any symptoms.

Identifying a Dog Allergy

If you think that you or a member in your family may be allergic to the family pet, the best way to know for certain is to remove that person from the environment with the animal for a week or two.

If this process is too difficult or you can’t do it; ask your doctor to test you for dog allergies. He will take a family history and some blood tests to determine this for you.

Treatment Options

Dog allergies usually come from allergens that are located within the dander and the saliva of the animal. These have the ability to cling to many surfaces, and live a long time. This makes it most difficult to rid a home of the allergens causing the dog allergies. Long after the animal is removed from the home, the dander is still present. It takes about six months to clean the environment.

First, keep your pet out of your bedroom. Reducing this area of allergens can greatly reduce your symptoms from your dog allergies. Getting rid of carpet might be another method you would be willing to try. Bare floors are easier to mop and keep clean, thus reducing your chances of getting the allergies. A HEPA filter is also an effective way of keeping allergens at bay.

Dog allergies may be a common problem for many people, but they don’t have to make your life miserable. You can enjoy life with some lifestyle changes and treatment options; you can enjoy your pet and have fewer symptoms.