Human Allergies and Dogs – Part 1

If you own a small dog(s) or any dog(s); chances are, they spend plenty of time on your furniture and probably sleep in the bed with you. Contrary to popular belief, there is technically no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. You see, even if you are not allergic to your dog’s hair, most dogs spend a good amount of time outside which means that they can carry allergens from the outside into your home through their fur. If you are an allergy sufferer like I am, this can cause daily misery!

Sleeping with your dog can be hazardous to your health—especially, for allergy sufferers!

Allergies can be triggered by outdoor causes including pollen from grasses and trees. However, many allergens can also be located inside of your home. Indoor triggers include dust or mold, or irritants like perfume and smoke and of course-pet dander.

My allergy symptoms usually present themselves in the form of irritated eyes including:

• Itching
• Burning
• Tearing

You may also have nasal allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and a stuffy nose. There are many relief options available for allergy sufferers. A few weeks, ago I finally broke down and decided to seek the medical advice of an allergist. Your allergist might recommend treatments that range from OTC antihistamine medications such as Claritin or Benadryl, to prescribed meds like Chlorpheniramine and a form of Immunotherapy or as they are commonly known-allergy shots (to be covered in more detail in a later post). Non medicinal forms of treatment can also help such as regular vacuuming, dusting and investing in an air purifier for your home.

Allergy symptoms can be alleviated by seeking the attention of an allergist. Worked for me!

This post is part 1 of a 4 part series on human allergies and pets. The next 3 posts will cover treatment options and tips on reducing allergy triggers in more detail.