I love my dog. I had him since he was a tiny Lil pup. One day out of the blue, my eyes got swollen, I can’t stop sneezing, and that scratchy throat is killing me. Am I suddenly allergic to my dog? I’m 34.
Believe it or not, it is nature’s way of life. Pet allergy can affect anyone at any stage of life. Allergies are more common in children, but adults will also stand a fair chance because of the repeated exposure to the same allergens. Hormones, family history, environment are factors that would lead to allergies development. A certain breed of dog will have an impact on the types of allergy received.
Most pet allergies are triggered via inhaling or enter through the skin. The likelihood of ingested is less but is still possible. Prolong exposure to allergens can lead to many respiratory problems, including asthma.
Do you experience wheezing, nasal congestion, stuffy nose, or chronic sneezing? What about red, watery, bloodshot eyes? Itchiness all over the body, including skin, throat, and eyes? Like everything else, you could be allergic to mold, pollen, dust, or even the musky perfume grandma put on. The question you must ask yourself, do the symptoms surface when your dog is around? If so, try a short getaway by staying in a pet-free zone. If the signs are gone, there is your answer. But just to be on the safe side before you do anything rash, get yourself check by an allergist.
Short and cruel answer: your dog has to go (Ouch). When there is no repetitive exposure, there will be no triggering point; thus, no pet allergy. This may not be a possible action, as we all are very attached to our furry friend. Fortunately, modern medicine and technology are here to rescue. Here is a rundown of solutions that will alleviate your pet allergies woe.
If only take a couple of minutes and doing so will greatly reduce allergens on you and your dog. This includes pet dander, pollen, germs that your dog is frequently exposed to. Grooming your dog also stimulate the skin, reduce shed hair, and prevent matting. Use a soft-bristled brush or pet grooming gloves and brush thoroughly from top to bottom. Also, do it outside in an open-space area to reduce the number of allergens indoor.
41124670 – golden retriever puppy gets a bath
Of course, you don’t have to follow the exact order but do it routinely before your dog stinks up the place. Bathing will help removes skin flakes (dead skin) from being airborne. Wear a mask, bathing gloves and wipe gently in a circular motion. We highly recommend you use allergenic-free shampoo if you notice there are rashes on the skin. You can applied conditioner or moisturizer to keep the hair strong and shining, but it’s totally up to you. After that, rinse off all the shampoo and towel dry your dog. Avoid using a hairdryer as it will make the hair dry and more prone to shed.
There are days that you will be down with very bad allergies. If you are staying with your family member or loved one, have them to ease some of your burden on the chores. Talk to them and be open on your condition. If they are not up to the task, don’t make a big deal out of it. There is plenty of pet hotel that you can temporarily board your dog to.
I hope I make myself very clear on this. Dust, the hair will fall all over the place, including sofa, counters, and shelf if you don’t do something about it. Vacuum regularly or even daily depending on how dusty your house is. Your friend or neighbor with pets is popping by? Vacuum again once they are gone. An air purifier running in the background would help capture all the disturbed dust and hair particles. While you’re at it, wear a mask to prevent the direct inhaling of the allergens.
Set boundaries where your dog can go to rather than letting him roam free. The bedroom is a no go as that is the place you would spend one-third of your time. If things get worse, keep your dog outside would not be such a bad proposal. Please do not take away his freedom by putting him into the cage. NEVER do that.
You can strengthen your body immune system by living a healthy lifestyle. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. This includes berries, garlic, leafy greens, cauliflower, kale, raw honey, and yogurt. Control your blood pressure, avoid stressing out, and get plenty of rest. Sleep between seven to eight hours a day. A night of good sleep with help restores back your immune system. Also, curb those bad habits of yours. Stop smoking and avoid places filled with second and thirdhand tobacco smoke. Limit the number of alcohol consumption per day. Exercise regularly. This should go without saying.
Do that with your furry pal too. Feed him only healthy, grain-free food. A poor diet can lead to many skin problems. When your dog hair is tick and glowing, it is free from skin irritation; thus, less hair is shed. That also means less dander would be spread around the house.
Hassle but worth the try if you don’t see signs of improvement with your allergies. Practice good hygienic by washing your hand with soap after touching your dog. Avoid rubbing your eyes when your dog is around. Do not kiss your dog, dogs saliva is full of germs. Remember that. Shower and change your clothes after playtime to get rid of the clingy dog hair. Replace everything with hypoallergenic pillows, bed sheet, or upholstery. Carpet is a magnet for dog dander and allergens. Steam clean it regularly or just throw them away. If budget allows, replace wall-to-wall carpet floor with tiles, wood or vinyl flooring.
Patientience is a virtue. Allergic reactions vary in a different scenario and may change over time. You might be allergic to pet dander now, but as you age, the impact of the allergens might be lessened. In some cases, the allergic reactions might just poof, and disappear! Nobody, not even a doctor know exactly when or why, but the possibility is there.
You can also start taking the widely available probiotics or prebiotics. Probiotics AKA “friendly bacteria” helps promote a healthy digestive system and immune system. Prebiotic increase good bacteria in the gut to boost metabolism and immune system.
Remember, allergy is not something you should take lightly. Do not suck it up and leave the condition untreated. Consider alternative treatments if there is no improvement in your allergies.
Immunotherapy is a treatment option used to improve our body’s natural defenses. There are two types of immunotherapy: allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Since SLIT is less common in pet allergy, so we will pay our attention to the allergy shots.
Allergy shots work by injecting very small doses of allergen into the body. The shots are required every week or so, and on a later stage, there are the follow-up shots every month. Over time, the person would be less sensitive to the allergens as the dosage gradually increase. In other words, it is asking your immune system to “chill” when there are foreign substances in the body.
Allergy shots can work well for people with mild to severe pet allergies. Due to the nature of injection, we would put allergy shots at the bottom of our recommended solution. Don’t get me wrong, it is safe, but there is still an itsy-bitsy chance of severe allergic reaction (talk about irony).
If you still at a considering stage and have confirmed on your pet allergies. All hope is not lost, there is hypoallergenic dog that is perfect for people with mild allergies. These are the type of pets that shed less or produce much fewer germs in their saliva. Is good to explore as you might be only sensitive to a specific breed of dog.
If none of the above solutions work and you have tried them all, it’s time to face the truth. I’m sorry for bringing the cruel answer back again, but it’s either you or him. Find a good home for him that you can trust or put it to adoption. It will be emotionally gut-wrenching, but there’s no need to beat yourself up over it.
Author Bio:
Joseph Philips – Co-founder of airfuji.com. His life revolves around two golden retrievers that stay indoor.
If you are someone struggling with anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or any other emotional or…
Everyone wants their pets to get along, whether they have a hoard of cats, or…
If you have a dog or two, you and other dog owners probably share the…
Most of the time, a dog is part of your family, and you want to…
Dog lovers now have the option to turn their love into their profession. If you…
We have put together a handy list of the top 10 foods you should avoid…
View Comments
Great post, Joseph. I can attest to the effectiveness of the HEPA air purifier. Before I got one, I was always getting sick because of the pet hair in the house plus all the other pet-related airborne irritants. Now, the situation is much better thanks to this incredible purifier.