Human dog allergies, man's worst enemy
Sometimes we may end up being allergic to our favorite pet. If you suffer from allergic symptoms(red, itchy, watery eyes - watery nasal discharge - itchy nose and sneezing), you can only know for certain you have an allergy to your dog by undergoing a specific allergy test.
So don't get rid of your loved family pet without adequate confirmation, only to find out down the road that you were wrong and it wasn't Fluffy or Rover that was making little Joey wheeze, but rather, his new teddy bear.
People allergic to dogs are allergic to certain proteins on the dog's skin and the dog's saliva. Dogs groom themselves by licking their fur and skin, depositing dog saliva antigens that also become airborne when dry, and spread to clothes, furniture, carpeting, etc.
Dogs also have lipoproteins on their skin, the dander or old skin scales (similar to, only much smaller than dandruff on the human scalp) which are scattered around the house as they shed their fur.
Dog dander occurs naturally as the epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin, renews itself. The epidermis of dogs is quite thin; it is made up of many layers of cells which are constantly pushing upward to replace the cells above. As this process takes place about every 21 days, the outer cells die and flake off into the environment as dander.
Although certain breeds are said to be hypoallergenic, present no human dog allergies, it isn't true. Some dogs have curlier or finer hair that doesn't carry as many lipoproteins. Small dogs have less skin than big ones and therefore carry less of these proteins.
But with any dog, the key to controlling human dog allergies is to keep the dog well brushed and bathed frequently.
Bathe your dog two to four times a month with a Non-drying shampoo and brush and wipe him down with a damp cloth daily.
The main thing to remember is that dogs' skin is more delicate than humans. It is much more prone to drying out when you wash it. Human based shampoos, formulated to remove all the oils, should not be used.
Avoid using shampoos that include an insecticide. Most flea shampoos are very drying to the skin, thus creating more dandruff problems.
You need to get one formulated for dogs that will remove
dirt but not the essential oils for the coat. Dogs that are
frequently bathed may require some supplements to keep their
skin and coat healthy.
Establish “no dog zones” in your house where your exposure to allergy causing particles will be limited. The bedroom should be one of these zones.
Shampooing your carpet regularly, vacuuming and washing of curtains and rugs can help remove these particles from your environment.
Linoleum, tile or wood floors without rugs are also helpful and easier to keep free of allergens.
Also the use of an electrostatic high-efficiency particulate air cleaner, known as a HEPA Filter, to help clean the air will help.
Following these simple guidelines should help you control
human dog allergies in your home.
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