Dog Allergies: How to Deal with Them
We love dogs for a reason. Having a loyal friend and playmate that will love you forever and never run out of energy? Perfect. Getting close to a dog is harder for some people than others, however. Certain dog allergies can rear their ugly heads and cause unexpected problems. A significant minority of the population suffers from dog and pet allergies. Some are even forced to find a new home for their dog because of intensified allergies. This wouldn\’t be the most desired solution, of course, and it can be heartbreaking. Fortunately, there are other ways.
Dander (shed skin cells,) saliva, and urine; these are the main villains when discussing dog allergies. When people with sensitive immune systems come into contact with these allergens, reactions can occur. Don\’t worry about long haired dogs. It\’s a myth is that hairless dogs will not cause reactions anyway. Less allergens, in the case of skin cells, every dog with drool and urinate. And while annoying, it\’s good to know that most people will recognize dog allergy symptoms as normal allergy symptoms that they are used to anyway, such as red/itchy eyes, stopped up nose, shortness of breath, and rashes. Of course these are not any fun, but they are manageable.
A clean home is the best defense against dog allergies and allergens. Vacuuming every week or so, buy furniture that doesn\’t absorb allergens, avoiding clutter, and running air purifiers will reduce the amount of dander floating around in your house. Bathing your dog will also flush out anything festering in the fur. Just remember to also wash your dog\’s bedding as well, or else that bath won\’t do any good.
A much simpler way is to purchase allergen reduction products. Allerpet D for Dogs is an example of a shampoo that reduces the amount of dander in a dog without causing dryness of the skin. Decreasing dog allergies is as easy as adopting good management strategies!
An allergy specialist can give you additional advice as well. They can provide you with certain prescriptions and over the counter, that can mitigate the runny noses and itchy eyes. For reactions that are really bad, they can recommend and perform allergy shots, which are a good idea if you have bad allergies in general. Getting rid of your dog and sending it to another home should not be your first option.
More information can be found about dog foods that are hypoallergenic. You can also find out about brands of hypoallergenic dog food.
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