Have you stopped visiting someone because you always sneeze at their house and think it might be their pet? Do the kids come home with the sniffles or a blocked nose after playing with a friend’s new puppy? And still pester you to get a puppy too? If so, this article is for you. Read on to find out more about dog allergies: what causes it, the symptoms and how to reduce your allergic reactions.

It might feel as if your dog allergy starts in your eyes or nose but it’s actually your immune system. The immune system is there to protect your body from bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Sometimes it overreacts and mistakes a harmless substance like dead skin shed by a pet for a threat. It produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) ready to fight back the next time you meet the allergen. When you do, the antibodies trigger the release of chemicals including histamine, leaving you with allergy symptoms.

Cats and dogs may not get along but they’ve got a lot in common in the way they cause pet allergy symptoms. As with cats, the main trigger for dog allergies is protein in their dander; that is, particles of shed skin. If you’re allergic to dogs, their hair can give you a reaction too and so can saliva. These allergens get caught in the dog’s coat and are released when it grooms itself or molts. Once in the air the particles float around and get stuck in your hair, and on clothes and furniture.

People with allergies may find a blocked nose disrupts sleep. That can leave you low on energy and struggling to focus at work or school.  

But you might have a different experience to someone else who is also allergic to dogs. It may not take much to trigger an allergic reaction. A simple scratch from a dog or a lick could cause skin rashes. You may get itchy eyes after petting a dog and then touching your eyes. Symptoms might appear very quickly or a few days later, depending on allergen levels and how sensitive you are.

A diagnosis from your healthcare provider is the first step in managing your condition and getting those symptoms under control. It’s important to find out if you’re allergic to dogs or could be reacting to something else. Dogs can be efficient collectors of other allergens too; it could be pollen or mold in their fur that’s making you feel miserable.

Your healthcare provider could suggest allergy testing, either a skin prick test or a blood test, to help identify your triggers. They’ll also ask you for details about your dog allergy symptoms; when, where and how badly you get them and how often you’re in contact with a dog. Your medical history and whether allergies run in your family are also important factors in making a diagnosis.

• There are 7.7 million dogs in Canada and almost 55% of households have one
• People living in British Columbia and the Prairies are more likely to own a dog than any other region
• The two main dog allergens are Canis familiaris allergen 1 (Can f 1) and Canis familiaris allergen 2 (Can f 2) named after the Latin for dog
• Dogs produce more allergens in their saliva than in dander and urine

If it turns out you are allergic to dogs, your healthcare provider will discuss with you what to do next. This might be:

• Avoiding triggers
• Treating acute symptoms
• Long term relief

Symptom-relieving medications may be enough to stop dog allergy becoming a real nuisance. These could include antihistamines, corticosteroids or decongestants – singly or a combination. These allergy meds come in several forms, such as tablets, eye drops and nasal sprays, and different strengths. Many are available over the counter so ask your pharmacist for advice. Or talk to your family doctor about which might work better for you than others.

There is no cure for people who are allergic to dogs but immunotherapy may offer long-term relief by targeting the underlying cause. Controlled repeated doses of your trigger reprograms your immune system to stop seeing the dog protein as a threat. This can stop or greatly reduce your allergy symptoms.

Your family doctor or allergist will be able to tell you if dog allergy immunotherapy is right for you and help you through the whole process.

Avoiding allergens is one simple way you can take charge of your own allergy.

• Wash your hands and change your clothes after spending time with a dog
• Clean your home thoroughly and regularly because you will likely bring back dander without realizing. And wear a mask while you do it because the tiny particles stay in the air for a long time
• Bare walls and floors are best. Swap fitted carpets for rugs that you can throw in the wash, and use a damp cloth to wipe woodwork and surfaces clean
• Keep dogs out of your bedroom and think about making parts of your home dog free zones
• Don’t forget to wash and clean the dog bed and their favorite toys regularly
• Forced-air heating and air conditioning can spread allergens through your home so cover vents with cheesecloth
• A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter air cleaner can help remove unwanted particles from the air in your home
• Ask someone who doesn’t have pet allergies to groom and bath your dog regularly but remember to ask them to do it outside
• Tell friends, family and colleagues about your dog allergies so they can help you stay as symptom-free as possible

We’ve left the big question to last. Whether you choose to live with a dog – or rehome yours if you have one – will depend on several factors. For instance, how severe your allergy symptoms are and whether your treatment is successful, now and in the future. Because allergies evolve over time.

If you don’t have a dog yet, but are thinking seriously about it, why not have a trial period – borrow a dog. That way you can monitor how you and your family react before you commit. And talk to your family doctor or your allergist if you have one.