Explaining the symptoms of dog allergies and how to deal with them!

Have you ever heard of the term "dog allergy"?

Dog allergies, which can cause cold- or hay fever-like symptoms when exposed to dogs, can suddenly develop one day. Whether you've already bought a dog or are considering getting one, let's take a look at the symptoms and treatments for dog allergies to ensure a healthy and safe life with your dog!

Symptoms of dog allergy

Symptoms of dog allergies vary, ranging from cold-like or hay fever-like symptoms to severe ones.

For example, mild allergies can cause cold-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose. Some people also describe the runny nose as similar to hay fever. Eye discomfort can also occur, with itching, redness, and swelling.

As symptoms progress, you may experience asthma-like breathing difficulties and develop hives on the skin. Hives are characterized by redness, swelling, and itching.

Severe symptoms can include diarrhea, dizziness, palpitations, and difficulty breathing. Once it gets to this stage, it can become a real threat to your daily life.

However, not all of these symptoms will appear if you have a dog allergy; symptoms vary from person to person.

If you suspect you may have a dog allergy, consult a doctor for a diagnosis and follow their instructions.

Mechanisms and Causes of Dog Allergies

There are two main allergens that cause dog allergies: lipocalin and albumin. Both are proteins found in dog hair and secretions such as sebum, saliva, and dander.
Coming into contact with these secretions or even simply being in the same space as a dog can cause dog allergy symptoms.

Dog allergies, like hay fever, arise from an error in the human immune response.
Although the immune system normally works normally to protect the body, it can sometimes overreact to harmless substances. This can result in the development of hay fever, dog allergies, and other allergies.

How to Check for Dog Allergies

【How to Check for Dog Allergies】The Importance of Checking Before Becoming a Family Member with a Dog

There are two ways to check for dog allergies: You can actually interact with a dog.
The other is to get tested at a veterinarian.
Both are time-consuming, but they're important to check before welcoming a dog into your family.

Raising a dog from puppyhood means spending a long time with it—more than 10 years.
If you discover you have a dog allergy along the way, you may have to change your lifestyle. Not being able to interact with and play with the dog you've so lovingly adopted is painful for both you and the dog.
To avoid this, it's essential to check in advance.
Please use the following method to check whether you're allergic to dogs.

【How to Check for Dog Allergies】① Get an Allergy Test at a Hospital

Allergy tests can be performed at an internal medicine or dermatology clinic.
The main testing methods are skin tests and blood tests.

Skin tests are a test that examines the skin for a reaction by exposing it to an allergen, the substance that causes the allergy.The advantage is that results are obtained quickly.

As the name suggests, a blood test involves drawing blood and presenting the results as a numerical value. It also reveals the level of allergic reaction, which can help determine how careful you should be with your dog. While accurate results are an advantage, the downside is that it can take up to a week to get the results, depending on the hospital.

【How to Check for Dog Allergies】② Actually Interact with a Dog

It's also recommended that you actually interact with a dog. If you're bringing a dog into your family, it's a good idea to create opportunities for the whole family to interact with the dog. You can ask a friend who has a dog, or if you don't have any dogs around you, you can inquire about dog training schools and attend them. There are many things you can learn by actually touching the dogs, so it's a good idea to ask if you can touch the dogs.

How to Deal with Dog Allergies

Cures from dog allergies are difficult with current medical treatments. Therefore, the key is to minimize the occurrence of symptoms. Even households with dogs can take some creative steps to minimize the onset of symptoms, so we'll introduce them here.

【How to Deal with Dog Allergies】How to Approach Your Dog

• Shampoo your dog moderately
• Brush your dog frequently

Dogs are the cause of allergies. Maintaining cleanliness is key to effective treatment.
As mentioned above, the allergens that cause dog allergies are found in dog hair, sebum, and dander.
Shampoo and brush your dog to remove dirty, excess hair, dander, and sebum.

However, excessive shampooing can be harsh on your dog's skin and coat.
Aim for once a month, but don't overdo it.

There's nothing wrong with brushing your dog every day, so incorporate it into your daily training routine and enjoy interacting with it. It's a good idea to designate a specific area for brushing, and remember to clean up the area after you're done, as hair will fly around.

【How to Deal with Dog Allergies】What People Should Keep in Mind

• Wash your hands and gargle after playing with your dog.
• Ventilate your home frequently.
• Keep your living space separate.
• Wash any fabrics your dog has touched separately.
• Take medication to suppress symptoms.

First, wash your hands and gargle thoroughly after interacting with your dog.
This will prevent allergens from entering your body. Pay particular attention to mucous membranes and the respiratory tract.
If you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth after handling a dog, allergens can enter your body, causing itching and redness. Wash your hands thoroughly. Wearing a mask is also a good way to prevent inhaling allergens through your mouth and nose.

Ventilation and separating living spaces are also important for preventing the onset of allergies.
When ventilating, be sure to prevent allergens from entering other rooms.
It is also a good idea to choose a room where your dog's living space is well-ventilated and limit interactions to that room.
Another option is to use an air purifier. If so, be sure to regularly clean the filters.

Careful washing of fabrics used by dogs is also important. Frequently wash any fabrics your dog has used to keep them clean.
However, be sure to wash them separately from clothing and towels used by people.

It's also recommended that you take allergy medication to alleviate symptoms.
You may also want to consider taking medication to protect yourself.

Knowing about dog allergies and interacting safely with dogs

For those planning to get a dog, it's important to check whether you have a dog allergy.
Because you'll be living with your pet for a long time, you'll want to understand your own allergies before bringing one into your home.

And even if you don't have a dog allergy, this knowledge is useful. It's possible that guests in a dog-owning household may develop dog allergies.
Equip yourself with the right information and enjoy living with your dog safely.