Allergy

What is an Allergy? Is some kind of disorder of the immune system. His action provokes a lot of symptoms in our body. "These reactions occur when a person immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment" - Wikipedia.

Nowadays the medicine has discovered a lot of allergies types, but I will write only about the Pet Allergies, specifically the Dogs Allergies.

If your nose runs, your eyes water or you start sneezing after playing with a dog or cat, you likely have a Pet Allergy. A Pet Allergy can contribute to wake up allergic symptoms or to increase the already existing symptoms. 

Pet Allergy Symptoms

- Sneezing;

- Stuffy nose;

- Facial pain (from nasal congestion);

- Coughing;

- Watery, red eyes;

- Skin rash or hives.

Pet Allergy Management and Treatment

- Avoid being around dogs and cats, if you have a pet at home, take some care to limit your exposure to it;

- Nasal sprays, antihistamines and bronchodilators can help relieve symptoms;

DOG ALLERGY

If all the symptoms described above occur when you play with a dog or when you have contact with it, maybe you can be allergic to dogs.

Dogs produce multiple allergens (a substance that can cause a reaction is called an allergen), or proteins that can cause allergy. These allergens are found in the dog hair, dander, saliva and urine. All dogs produce allergens; studies have not shown that dogs can be hypoallergenic (not cause allergy). Dog allergen levels increase if the dog lives indoors and are higher in the rooms where a dog is allowed.

Diagnosing Dog Allergies

If you suspect that you are allergic to dogs, firstly you need to visit a doctor, an allergist. There, you can run some tests to prove your allergy. The basic test is a skin test which consists in expose your skin to some dog allergens. If your skin reacts to the test being red or shows any kind of reaction, the result will be positive.

Dog Allergy Management and Treatment

Beyond the treatments listed previously you can do:

- Keep the dog out of your bedroom and restrict it to only a few rooms;

- Don't pet, hug or kiss the dog, if you do, wash your hands with soap and water;

- Give your dog a bath at least once a week.

- Use a vacuum cleaner to clean your house and the rooms where the pet lives.

Treatments for dog allergy vary, depending on the symptoms. Your allergist can help to determine what treatment could be better for you.

Key Words

Sneezing - When you sneeze, air and often small drops of liquid suddenly come out of your nose and mouth in a way you cannot control.

Stuffy nose - Without air nose, blocked.

Hives - A condition in which a person's skin develops red raised areas

Dander - Pieces of dry skin in an animal's fur or hair.

See you soon !!