Can you develop allergies to dogs

Plastic mattress covers help keep dander out of beds, and room air cleaners equipped with high efficiency particulate air HEPA filters can remove dander from the air. Replacing carpet with tile or wood floors is also beneficial, since carpets tend to trap dander. Frequent vacuuming—another common suggestion—may actually be counterproductive. Vacuuming tends to stir up allergens without necessarily removing them, and can actually increase the number of airborne allergens, even when newer vacuums containing HEPA filters are used.

Finally, some research suggests that bathing your pet frequently may help. But the allergens returned to normal in about three days, which suggests that the number of baths needed to make a difference is impractical. Similar studies using cats have had mixed but generally less dramatic results. And the studies don't say how many days it took for the cats contempt toward their washers to subside.

Taking some or all of these steps may not reduce allergen levels enough to have a meaningful impact on symptoms, however. Allergens need to fall below a certain threshold to alleviate symptoms, and because dander is spread so readily, even quarantining a pet may not do the trick, according to Dr. Deciding not to give up a pet may have some consequences.

For starters, you'll probably need to clean out some space in your medicine cabinet. For someone with allergies, this could include taking—or upping the dosage of—oral antihistamines and intranasal steroids, she says.

And people with asthma may require higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids or the addition of other medicines, such as leukotriene inhibitors. In some cases, patients may decide to get allergy shots that boost immunity to the allergen, a strategy that can be effective, according to Dr. Learn more here. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist areas and can trigger allergic reactions. Mold allergies are generally not life threatening. Looking for the best over-the-counter nasal spray to help with congestion or allergies?

We've crafted a list of the top 6 nasal sprays that you can…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Dog Allergies Medically reviewed by Kaitlyn T. Keep reading to learn about lifestyle changes and medications that can help treat dog allergies. What causes dog allergies? Symptoms of dog allergies. How to treat dog allergies.

Skip to content. Are You Allergic to Your Pet? The result? Countless pet parents in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause!

Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. There are over-the-counter OTC and prescription medications available that can help reduce or resolve the symptoms for people who are allergic to dogs. Antihistamine medications block histamine, a compound that helps initiate local immune responses and cause allergy symptoms.

Popular OTC brands for long-term exposure may contain loratadine, cetirizine hydrochloride, or fexofenadine hydrochloride. Antihistamines can be bought online or obtained on prescription from a doctor. These medications help reverse the inflammation caused by immune responses and relieve nasal congestion. Some nasal corticosteroids are now available without a prescription and can be purchased online.

An allergist a specialist in diagnosing allergies may treat severe or chronic allergy symptoms using immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. Immunotherapy involves injecting allergens into a person in gradually increasing amounts. These allergy shots help a person to build a tolerance to allergens.

It usually takes several sessions over several months to complete immunotherapy. In these situations, a doctor may prescribe inhalable corticosteroids or bronchodilators that help keep the airways open.

Dogs produce a variety of proteins that cause allergies in some people. The highest concentrations of these proteins are in dog saliva, with lower amounts found in dander and urine. Dander tends to build up on hair follicles, so dog hair usually carries a large number of allergens. During a skin-prick test, an allergist will put a droplet containing a tiny amount of dog proteins onto the skin.