Around 40% of US households have at least one dog, but millions of people worldwide are affected by dog allergies, caused by pet dander, not hair. Regular cleaning and grooming can reduce symptoms, and immunotherapy may help, but chemical treatments are ineffective and harmful.
There is no doubt that people love dogs. In the US alone, around 40% of all households have at least one dog in residence, surpassed only by Australia at 68% and the UK at 43%. This may seem a bit remarkable considering the additional fact that millions of people around the world are affected by an allergy to dogs. However, what’s even more surprising is that the symptoms can persist in some people despite not even owning a dog. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, pet dander is such a prevalent airborne allergen that it can be found in virtually every home anywhere, whether a dog lives there or not. Of course, being allergic to man’s best friend is nothing to sneeze at.
The mechanism behind dog allergy is similar to other allergic reactions. Basically, the immune system interprets the introduction of a particular substance, or allergen, as a foreign object that needs to be targeted for destruction. To carry out this mission, the immune system employs a number of helpers, namely antibodies such as phagocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages. Like little soldiers, these specialized cells rush to the site of the allergen to launch an attack. Unfortunately, inflammation is the consequence of this offensive and sneezing, watery eyes and coughing the reward.
Most people believe that dog allergies are related to the amount of hair on the animal, but that’s not true. In fact, two different dogs of the same breed can trigger symptoms in a person with a dog allergy to very different degrees. The real culprit of dog allergy is the pet’s dander, which is made up of microscopic flakes of dead skin. Since all dogs have skin, this allows us to dispel another myth about dog allergies: there is no such thing as a “non-allergenic” breed. However, since some people with a mild allergy to dogs can sometimes tolerate short-haired breeds or those that tend to shed less, it would be generously fair to say that some dogs may be mildly hypoallergenic at best.
There is some evidence to suggest that early exposure to a pet in childhood might reduce the risk of pet allergy. However, this has led to another common misconception that a child will grow out of a dog or cat allergy if given the chance to live with one long enough. Unfortunately, that’s a gamble that risks heartbreak for the kid. It’s also the wrong kind of thinking that has led to many pets being placed in shelters.
The good news is that taking diligent care to reduce the level of dander in your home can significantly reduce your dog’s allergy symptoms. Of course, this means mopping and vacuuming the floors frequently, preferably with a machine that uses a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. It also means regular grooming and brushing of the dog. However, there is no evidence to suggest that frequent bathing reduces hair production, which is undoubtedly a welcome relief for both dog and owner.
There is also an allergy treatment to consider, which is to undergo a series of allergy shots. While immunotherapy may not completely eliminate symptoms, some doctors estimate a success rate close to 50%. In any case, please refrain from chemically treating your dog to make it less a source of allergens. These treatments, once popular in the 1990s, have proven ineffective. They also consist of subjecting the animal to a daily dose of acepromazine, a tranquilizer that can lead to cardiovascular problems in dogs if administered long-term.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
