For most people, dog allergies are a mild source of discomfort. They cause runny noses, respiratory distress, sneezing, and watery eyes. But the symptoms of dog allergies rarely escalate to a dangerous place. Can dog allergies cause anaphylactic shock? What would a life-threatening allergic reaction to dogs look like?
Is There a Cure for Allergy to Dogs?
Many dog lovers suffer from allergies to their canine friends. There are few things worse than having an allergy to your pet or other favorite animals. You can’t occupy space with them without sacrificing some of your own health. This has led multiple people to ask: Is there a cure for dog allergies?
Studies show promise, although there haven’t been enough conclusive studies yet to show whether there’s currently a cure. As each year goes by, more and more research is done into dog allergies. Can you stop being allergic to dogs?
Level 0 – 6 Allergy to Dogs
When an allergen test is done through a blood test, the allergen will traditionally be labeled with a Class 0 to Class 6 ranking.
Class 0 indicates that the allergen level was undetectable, while Class 6 indicates that the allergen level had a strong positive.
Allergen results are determined based on the number of IgE antibodies in the blood specific to that particular allergen. For dog allergies, the IgE antibodies would correspond to proteins found in dog dander and saliva.
Can I Be Allergic to One Type of Dog and Not Another?
You may be surprised to find that many people experience allergies to other people’s dogs, without being allergic to the dog of their own. If you’ve had this experience, know that you aren’t alone. It is possible that a person might have an allergy to certain breeds of dogs and not others.
There are a few reasons for this. First, certain dog breeds are “hypoallergenic.” No dog is completely free of allergens, but hypoallergenic dogs produce less dander than the average dog, which leads to less intense allergic reactions.
In addition, the dog allergens in each breed come with slightly different characteristics. This means that not all dog allergies are the same; a person might become allergic to one breed without developing an allergy to another.
There’s such a great variety in dog allergens that an allergy test has to prove a person is allergic to at least 5 breeds before they can receive their accurate diagnosis. It’s entirely possible that your neighbor’s German Shepard causes your eyes to water, but your sinuses are completely clear around your Labrador Retriever.
Read moreCan I Be Allergic to One Type of Dog and Not Another?
Do Dog Licks Cause Pimples?
It happens to everyone: You get up close to your dog, and your canine friend decides to lick your mouth and cheeks. This display of affection may not seem harmful, but there are a number of risks associated with it. Does dog saliva cause acne? The answer is: Yes, among other issues.
Best HEPA Air Cleaner For Dog Dander and Allergies
Many animal lovers suffer from asthma, pet allergies, or a combination of both. This can make it hard to breathe easily.
Your immune system is sending signals that you’re under attack, even though the pet dander you’re breathing in is harmless.
You might have heard that air purifiers are recommended for allergy sufferers. But do they really work? What air purifiers should you be looking into?
Allerpet Dog, Cat, Pet Dander Remover Reviews
Multiple studies have been done regarding the efficacy of Allerpet.
One study was conducted regarding cats in 1995. In it, scientists measured the amount of allergy-causing protein found in the cats’ fur before and after treatments with Allerpet. After two Allerpet treatments, the cats had significantly less allergens extracted from their coats.
The findings indicate that, while it isn’t a cure-all for allergens, Allerpet does help reduce the amount of allergens in an environment.
This is significant because cats produce a great deal of allergens. Unlike dog allergens, cat allergens are found in the sebaceous glands. This means that they occur all over the cat’s skin and fur. Dogs, by contract, tend to only have allergens concentrated in their saliva and dander.
Best Dog Shampoo to Help With Human Allergies
One of the hardest things is finding out you’re allergic to your pet.
Allergies can wreak havoc on your system, causing watery eyes, a runny nose, an itchy throat, and shortness of breath.
But before you think about rehoming your canine friend, you might want to consider an anti-allergen pet shampoo.
The goal of an anti-allergen shampoo is to reduce the number of allergens your dog sheds and tracks through the home.
Allergens are found in the dander and saliva.
Dander is the dead skin flakes that every dog naturally sheds.
Why am I Allergic to Dog Saliva?
Pet allergies are one of the most frequent complains among dog lovers. After all, how can something that gives us so much joy also give us so much misery?
If you’re one of the many people who suffer from a dog allergy, you’re not alone. However, you may feel like the odd man out if you’re not allergic to your dog’s dander, but her saliva!
Why are some people allergic to saliva, and what can be done about this allergy?
Swollen Eyes after Petting a Dog
Have you ever found yourself with swollen eyes after petting a dog? You know, the kind of puffiness that no amount of cucumber masks or mascara can hide?
If so, you’re not alone! Almost a fifth of the American population is allergic to pets, and swollen eyes are an unfortunate and common symptom of pet allergies.
However, there are things you can do to avoid getting puffy allergy eyes, and ways to take care of an allergic reaction once it begins. Ready to rid yourself of swollen, watery allergy eyes? Read on!