This type of dermatitis is an immune system reaction that causes skin inflammation. Direct contact with an allergy-causing pet may trigger allergic dermatitis, causing signs and symptoms, such as: Raised, red patches of skin (hives) Eczema.
It's not the dog's hair or fur that's the real problem. Instead, people are usually allergic to the dander -- flakes of dead skin -- as well as the saliva and urine. So, no matter how long or short the hair, any dog can potentially cause an allergic reaction. You might wonder why dog dander has such an effect on you.
It is common to get itchy eyes after petting an animal and then touching your eyes. A pet scratch or lick on your skin can cause the area to become red and itchy. You may get hives. Pet allergy can trigger an asthma attack if you also have asthma.
People who are allergic to dogs may experience a rash, hives, or watery eyes when exposed to dog saliva or dog dander. In many cases, symptoms of a dog allergy are mild, and a person may still be able to live with a dog if they can manage their symptoms. Some home remedies can reduce symptoms.
Hives (also called urticaria) are the development of swollen, pale red bumps or welts on the skin. These little lesions will usually appear suddenly and are often related to an allergic reaction against something. The presence of hives can be seen as a single bump, or as a collection of more than a few bumps.
Yes, you can suddenly develop an allergy to dogs even if you never had problems before. As our immune systems age or move, they can react poorly to new or even old things in our life-like pets. Furthermore, you may find you are only allergic to some breeds of dogs with more dander.
FACT: All dogs produce allergens.
The level of different types of allergens may vary between individual dogs, but this is not due to a specific gender, breed, or breed mix. Some allergic individuals tolerate some dogs better than others due to variations in amounts and types of allergens produced.
Dog Hives are Bumps on the Skin
If you've ever broken out in hives yourself, the experience is more or less the same for a dog. Hives can last for less than an hour or may linger for several days, depending on the severity of the allergy causing them.
Redness of the skin, particularly in areas where you have been licked by a dog, or on the hands or body after you touch a dog. Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath when you're near a dog. A rash on the neck, face, or chest. Severe asthma attacks (in people who also suffer from asthma)
How hypoallergenic a dog is may depend on the individual dog and person. Not all dogs produce the same proteins, so some people are allergic to a specific dog, not a specific breed. That means that a person could react to one Poodle and live symptom-free with a different Poodle.
Symptoms of pet allergic reactions can develop in a matter of minutes or as much as a few hours from exposure. Immune reactions can also last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on how long you were around allergens and what contact you had with a pet.
People suffering from pet allergies will have symptoms consistent with swollen nasal passages. This includes a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Coming into physical contact with pet dander can cause contact dermatitis, or a skin rash, hives or triggers a person's asthma.
If pet dander is so easily spread, how do you get rid of it? You can get rid of pet dander by grooming the pet to reduce the amount of dander produced, vacuuming frequently, using a HEPA air filter, Austin Air makes an air purifier just for pets, use anti-allergen sprays, and limiting where the pet goes.
Some people report developing immunity to their dog. Others grow out of the allergy, but don't depend on it if you're getting a new dog. It is possible that an allergic reaction worsens with greater exposure.
Pet dander consists of microscopic flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds, and other animals with fur or feathers. Due to how lightweight and small pet dander is, it can remain suspended in the air for a long period of time and can easily stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics, and many other household items.
Your dog's world is full of potential allergens and irritating substances. Food, pollen, dust, fleas, and many other allergens can all lead to hives. More acute allergic reactions, like reactions to insect bites and stings, can also cause hives.
You can't get rid of pet allergies. However, you can take OTC antihistamine pills, nasal corticosteroids and nasal antihistamines to treat your symptoms. For some people, allergy shots (immunotherapy) offer a long-term solution to managing pet allergies.
How long can hives last? Hives can last a variable amount of time. Usually, eruptions may last for a few minutes, sometimes several hours, and even several weeks to months. Most individual hives last no more than 24 hours.