Are you allergic to “the man’s best friend”?
Do you feel itchy when there is a dog near you? Do you sneeze when
you pass your neighbor’s dog? If yes, you are not the only one suffering
from dog allergies. It is a common allergy, which many pet lovers and
dog owners also suffer from.
Symptoms of dog allergies:
The allergic symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Symptoms occur
and are visible within a few seconds after exposure to dogs. If you are
suffering from dog allergy, you may exhibit the following signs and
symptoms, which are similar to that of hay fever; also known as,
allergic rhinitis.
- Postnasal drip
- Running nose
- Itchy nose, roof, throat or mouth
- Nasal congestion
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Sneezing
Direct contact with dogs may often result in serious rash and itching
problems. In case you suffer from asthma, increased symptoms and signs
of asthma could also be experienced, such as:
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Lung congestion
- Shortness of breath
Some people also suffer from skin reactions. Slobbering of the dog
might result in breaking out of the skin. People with severe sensitivity
suffer from hives on their chest or face.
Causes of dog allergies
Many of us have heard that not all dog breeds trigger allergic
symptoms; short-haired one is much safer breed than the long-haired dogs
that are prone to shedding their hair periodically. Medical experts
believe that this is not the case. In fact, two dogs of the same breed
can give off different levels of allergy.
People are not allergic to either dog’s fur or hair. It is the dander,
flakes of dead skin, urine, or saliva of the dogs that one is allergic
to. Therefore, no matter how short or long the hair of the dog is, any
dog can make you sneeze like you never got a cold before.
The tiny dander particles that stick onto your dog’s skin, can stick on
to your clothes, bed sheets, sofa, furniture, etc. They can also be
carried over short distances through air. In addition, the pet saliva
can stick to the furniture, sofa, clothes, etc. In many cases, pet
saliva and dander are harmless. However, if you are one that is having a
sensitive immune system, these allergens may enter your body through
inhaling or sensitive membranes lining the eyes and nose due to being
licked. These cause allergic reactions then.
When the allergen enters the body, the immune system produces
immunoglobulin, an antibody. This antibody then releases chemical called
histamine, which inflates the mucous membrane in the nose, eyes, and
causes running nose, watery eyes and sneezing.
|
