what is a dog hair allergy?

Almost twelve million dogs currently live in German households. After cats, they are the most popular pets in this country. But the joy of four-legged friends is quickly spoiled if it turns out that a family member or roommate is allergic to dogs . Often an important decision has to be made: Does the dog have to be handed in? Or can he stay because a dog allergy can be treated?

In order to react appropriately, you should first understand how a dog allergy develops in the first place. Because it is often assumed that it is an allergy to the animal hair. But this assumption is wrong: It is not the dog's hair itself, but certain proteins that are released by the dog that trigger the dog's hair allergy. It is usually the Can f1 protein that causes the symptoms. These proteins are found, among other things, in skin flakes, saliva and urine of the animal and can accumulate in its coat.

The dog's fur itself is not the trigger for dog allergies, but a carrier of allergens - those substances that cause reactions in allergy sufferers.

Dog hair allergy: what are the symptoms?

When allergy sufferers come into contact with a dog, they usually notice the first signs of allergies immediately. Typical symptoms are:

• a runny nose
• Sneezing fits
• Tingling and itching of the eyes or nose
• reddened, watery eyes
• severe cough , shortness of breath

These symptoms can easily be mistaken for a cold . Therefore, people who often have colds or who have colds for a long time should also be tested for allergies if necessary. If a dog allergy is not recognized and treated accordingly, this can lead to asthma in the long term .

The skin can also have an allergic reaction, as shown by the following symptoms:

• Eczema
• an itchy rash (some with wheals)
• An allergy can also make neurodermatitis worse.

Test: How can a dog hair allergy be determined?

Doctors can diagnose a dog allergy with the help of an allergy test. The so-called prick test is often used for this : the doctor drips various extracts containing allergens onto your forearm. Then he pricks the skin under the drop so that the allergens can penetrate better. Now you have to wait: after about 15-20 minutes you will see which extracts you are allergic to. Your skin swells a little in the corresponding places and turns red.

If the prick test confirms the suspicion that the patient has an allergy, it may be useful to also do a blood test. The doctor takes some blood and has it checked for antibodies in the laboratory. In this way it can be precise determined which allergen components you are reacting to.

You can ask your general practitioner which doctor carries out allergy tests: they either carry out the tests themselves or they will refer you to a specialist. In the case of allergies, this is usually an ENT doctor or a dermatologist. Make sure that the specialist has the additional qualification "Allergology".

Important : Allergy tests should only be carried out under medical supervision . Because testing can lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. This is a severe allergic reaction; the patient can develop severe shortness of breath and cardiac arrest within a few minutes and must be treated immediately.

Treatment: How can a dog hair allergy be treated?

The most important rule when treating a dog's allergy is to avoid the allergens . This usually means that the beloved four-legged friend has to be placed in caring hands. This step is not easy for many animal lovers. Therefore, they are looking for other ways to treat or even cure their dog allergies.

 

Treatment: can desensitization help with dog allergies?

One way to alleviate allergies to long term is to immunotherapy , also desensitization called. During this treatment, the allergy sufferer is given regular doses of the allergen. Either by drops that are taken or by syringe, which is why the treatment is also known as allergy vaccination. The aim of the therapy: Over time, the body should get used to the allergens and show only minor allergic reactions.

Desensitization is the only therapy that treats the cause of allergies. It is designed to relieve symptoms, reduce the amount of medication, and reduce the risk of developing asthma over the long term. And yet the method is rarely used in people with dog allergies.

On the one hand, this is due to the fact that treatment with animal allergens can have many side effects such as itching, redness and swelling. On the other hand, according to the German Allergy and Asthma Association, desensitization is only advisable if it is difficult for you to avoid “your” allergen. This is the case, for example, if you are hypersensitive to pollen in the air you breathe. If you have a dog allergy, however, you can usually avoid encounters with your four-legged friends in a targeted manner. No contact with dogs is a priority in treatment.

However, desensitization can be a therapy option for allergic people who have to work with dogs for work - for example, veterinarians, farmers or people with service dogs. The same applies to allergy sufferers who are dependent on a handicapped or guide dog. However, there is little data on the effectiveness of desensitization in the case of animal hair allergy. Therefore the treatment cannot be generally recommended.

Treatment: Which medications are used for a dog hair allergy?

There are situations when it is not possible to avoid dogs, such as on public transport or when visiting dog owners. Dog allergy sufferers should be prepared for these cases: Use antiallergic drugs , also called antihistamines . They are available as tablets, sprays or drops. They prevent the allergic reaction from occurring in the body.

But: antihistamines can have side effects. Therefore, they should not be a permanent solution for a dog allergy, but should only be used for acute complaints. Possible side effects are headache , dizziness, gastrointestinal discomfort or a dry mouth. In addition, the remedies can have a sedative effect, i.e. make you dizzy and tired - a danger not only in traffic.