How To Pick A Pet
If you want a pet but you or your child has eczema, keep these things in mind:
Talk to your doctor. Ask what type of pet might be best. Remember that any animal with fur or feathers can cause eczema flare-ups. If you or your child has a strong allergic reaction to any critter, especially if you have trouble breathing, a pet may not be the right choice.
Donât buy the hype. Thereâs no proof that so-called hypoallergenic cats, dogs, or other animals are better for people with allergies or eczema. Thatâs because dander, not hair or fur, usually triggers the allergy. So choosing a shorthaired or hairless animal wonât help.
Expand your options. A goldfish wonât roll over on command and a gecko canât curl up in your lap and purr. But if you want a pet thatâs unlikely to trigger allergies or eczema, fish, reptiles, and amphibians may be best.
Take a test drive. Spend time with the type of pet youâre considering. Visit friends or relatives with a cat, dog, or gerbil. See if you notice any changes in symptoms.
How Long Does It Take For Dog Dander To Disappear
It can take one to two months for dog dander to disappear due to certain aspects that affect the home.
For instance, dog dander has an intriguing attraction to dust and will attach itself to it once released from the dogs body. At that point, it can intertwine or be absorbed into the dust, giving it a safe home until you get rid of the dust, or the protein dies within it.
When the dander is suspended in the air, it can remain there for a few weeks until the air is circulated outside of the house.
What Does Dog Dander Look Like
To the naked eye, dog dander looks like a big ball of hair that has collected a lot of dust. However, dog dander is inside the hair.
They are microscopic pieces of dead skin which are trapped within the hair of the dog. When you look at dog dander under a microscope, they look like small, cylinder-shaped bacteria.
They are not alive, and thats part of the reason as to why they can be harmful. Yet, although they are small and cool under a microscope, they can cause severe reactions in humans.
Recommended Reading: Head And Shoulders For Eczema On Body
Benefits Of Having A Pet When Your Child Has Eczema
Some data suggests that having a dog in infancy or before starting a family can be protective against allergies, says Maguiness. Yet bringing a dog into a home with someone who has allergies or eczema wont treat the problem or cure the condition.
Despite the fact that its the dander and saliva that are the true culprits , eczema is not directly caused by dander contacting the skin. Dermatitis in the skin is due to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, something thats commonly misunderstood, she explains.
When it comes to this delayed hypersensitivity reaction, what happens is that dander, which is an aeroallergen, triggers allergy symptoms, something that can then result in a flare of eczema, says Maguiness. In this scenario, symptoms occur on the face around the mucous membranes . if your child already has eczema, you have to balance the risk for flares due to the aeroallergens on the overall benefits that having a pet brings to your family, she says.
RELATED: The Best and Worst Dog Breeds for People With Allergies
Can Dog Saliva Help Eczema
Now that youve learned about the benefits of dog saliva, youre probably eager to try it out for yourself. Do not rush forward haphazardly. Doing so could potentially cause more harm than good. The truth of the matter is that dog saliva does indeed possess many health benefits. However, those benefits may only be beneficial to the dog and not to you. In fact, there is some evidence suggesting that your dog is actually going to make your eczema worse. Youll find out why this is the case below.
Recommended Reading: What Hand Soap To Use For Eczema
Which Pets Can Trigger Eczema
Any animal with fur has the potential to trigger eczema so it doesnt matter whether your child wants a dog, cat, rabbit or rodent, the risk is the same. While the fur of these animals is often blamed for causing eczema, its also the proteins in their saliva and the dander which is a problem. Dander is small flecks of skin which the animal sheds, a bit like dandruff in humans. Saliva, fur and dander can be a problem to people who suffer from asthma or rhinitis too. While not all eczema is aggravate by pets, is it a very common trigger for flare-ups.
Dangers Of Conventional Treatment
Whats the solution when your dogs itching and scratching is a problem? A trip to the veterinarian will likely leave you with a conventional medication. Buyer beware. While many conventional allergy medications often promise quick results, are they worth it? These drugs come with a laundry list of potential adverse reactions that dog owners may not be aware of.
First, its important to understand how conventional allergy medications work.
Allergies are how the body responds to a foreign invader. When the body sees a foreign element as a threat, the immune system reacts. Thats a good thing. Your dogs immune system is supposed to temporarily react. Then you work to relieve the allergy symptoms.
Allergy medications are immunosuppressants. This means theyre designed to suppress the bodys response. Yes, these drugs can inhibit allergic reactions. But, their immune-suppressing properties can also cause a slew of other problems. For instance, they can cause dogs to be at a greater risk of developing severe infections. And thats not all
Dont Miss: Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream Walgreens
Recommended Reading: Is Chocolate Bad For Eczema
Symptoms Of Allergic Reaction To Dog Dander
When dead dog skin flies into your system, your body will try to fight it off at all cost by initiating symptoms.
The symptoms most common with an allergic reaction to dog dander are sneezing, facial pressure and pain, a consistent cough, along with a postnasal drip. More symptoms include nasal congestion, itchy nose, mouth, or roof of your mouth, in addition to itchy, watery, and red eyes.
The symptoms play a major role in defending your body from the foreign material that could harm you if it remains in your system.
Pet Dander And Eczema And The Hypoallergenic Pet Myth
Before answering that tough question, lets first consider whether eczema can truly be caused by pets. As mentioned in What Triggers Eczema? With Dr. Peter Lio, a major contributor of eczema symptoms are allergens including pet allergens. When focusing on health conditions like eczema, allergies, and asthma, one of the most common allergens is pet dander. Dander is actually the animal version of dandruff! Dander is usually the cause of most animal allergies because it is so easily spreadable. It can attach itself easily to clothing or be inhaled.
Dander can appear in almost all animals, but that does not mean that dander among all species is equal. For example the dander levels between a heavily furred dog and a rabbit are very different.
Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or furry animal. Curly haired dogs produce next to no fur, but does that mean the most common allergen, dander, is reduced to? Not necessarily according to Mayo Clinic Some dog breeds are marketed as hypoallergenic because they dont shed fur or they shed very little. Because these dogs dont shed, the allergy-causing dander that sticks to their fur doesnt get released into the air or onto the floor as much as with a shedding dog. But while you may have less dog hair with a nonshedding dog, no dog breed is hypoallergenic.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Get Rid Of Eczema On My Eyelids
Also Check: Can Eczema Spread On The Body
Are Dog Allergies Seasonal
Seasonal allergies do exist, and your dog may be one of the many canines to experience them.
Their sneezing, coughing, and scratching is what releases the dog dander from their body into the air that you breathe. With that said, once they begin their seasonal scratching, theres a significant chance that you will too.
Thankfully, just as you have medication to subside your symptoms, there are dog medications that exist to ensure that they too have reduced symptoms.
The medications also hinder the amount of dander that is released into the air.
Exposing Kids To Dogs Early May Prevent Allergies & Asthma
- A 2017 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggested that exposure to pet allergens before the age of 3 could help to prevent the development of asthma in children.
- The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reported on an additional two studies in 2017. These research projects demonstrate a reduced likelihood of asthma and eczema if young children are exposed to dogs.
- Another 2017 study at the University of Alberta revealed that babies from families that owned a pet had an increased level of gut microbes that are linked to a lower risk of developing asthma and obesity.
Don’t Miss: What Lotion To Use For Eczema
Establish A Weekly Cleaning Routine
Frequent housecleaning lowers the amount of upkeep required to keep allergens at bay. Give your home a good scrub down once a week. On a monthly basis, make sure those weekly cleanings include easy-to-miss areas of the home, such as tops of doors, windowsills, crown molding, ceiling fans, underneath furniture, behind the toilet, etc.
Dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that live in house dust. Symptoms include those common to hay fever, such as sneezing and runny nose. Many people with dust mite allergy also experience wheezing and difficulty breathing two signs of asthma.
Its helpful to reduce the number of items that collect dust, such as knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books and magazines. Store childrens toys, games and stuffed animals in plastic bins. Make clean-up time with the kids a fun family game by betting who can clean up certain areas the quickest.
Mold spores can also get into your nose and cause hay fever or reach the lungs and trigger asthma. Scrub mold from tub, shower and faucets with bleach. Clean or replace moldy shower curtains and bathmats.
Dont forget to wear rubber gloves and a protective mask while cleaning. This way, youll protect your skin from harsh cleaners and avoid breathing in toxins or airborne dust and mold.
Choose Your Pet Carefully
If you have not yet made the leap to extending your family members with a furry friend, then research first into the right pet for your home. While hypo-allergenic pets are not genuinely hypo-allergenic, they are still better choices than ones which regularly shed hair.
For those who suffer from eczema, it is also a good idea to get tested first to see if there is a current underlying allergy to certain animals. That said, even without a detectable allergy, eczema symptoms may still occur and even worsen due to the overly porous nature of this skin.
On a slightly different note, while there is evidence to suggest that a child can actually build up a tolerance to their pet over time, much like the way immunotherapy works, this is not a given and on the contrary, exposure of this nature over a period of time could also lead to development of an allergy to that animal. The result is not easily predicted which is why abstaining from a pet in the first place can be the best line of defence.
Also Check: How To Heal Eczema Fast
Dare To Ditch The Dermatitis
Dermatitis, while uncomfortable and frustrating, is by no means unconquerable. The key to soothing your dogs itching and scratching is to stay vigilant with their treatment. Improper care could result in your dog scratching skin raw. Unfortunately, atopic dermatitis rarely goes away. However, frequent check-ups and fastidious care will keep your dog happy and healthy for years to come.
How Dog Dander Affects You
Normally, the role of our immune system is to fight foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria and get rid of them.
The above response is usually initiated to protect us against the otherwise deadly diseases and infections that would stem from the bacteria.
For individuals with allergies, however, they usually have over-sensitive immune systems, meaning they overreact, even to relatively harmless substances like dog dander, pollen, saliva, and urine.
Their immune systems often react to pet dander in the same manner as harmful bacteria and viruses.
The signs and symptoms of pet dander such as sneezing, watery eyes, and coughing are the side effects of the body`s attempt to destroy or flush out the allergen.
So, what are some dog dander allergy symptoms?
Also Check: What Foods Trigger Eczema In Babies
Is Allegra Good For Dog Allergies
Allegra is another antihistamine that I found that has the capacity to be a winner when fighting off dog allergies. What makes Allegra powerful enough to dismiss foreign invaders from your body is its active ingredient, fexofenadine.
It latches on the allergen and pushes it out of your body via relaxing your body and increasing your blood flow to find the allergen and eliminate it. Allegra is also an over-the-counter drug that can be used by both humans and dogs to subside your dog allergies.
Can Dog Dander Make You Sick
However, when we use the word sick as in experiencing symptoms, then yes, dog dander is guilty of this.
The dander enters your body and is treated as foreign material that may hurt your body. The symptoms of a runny nose and watery, itchy eyes are the mechanisms that push the dog dander out, to decrease your reaction to the mild illness and save you from it.
Also Check: How To Treat Itchy Nipple Eczema
How To Remove Dog Dander From Upholstery
You can remove dog dander from upholstery by cleaning your carpets, furniture, and curtains on a regular basis.
Lint rollers do a great job at picking up dog hair that contains the skin flakes of the dog that causes the allergic reactions.
Also, deep steaming is an option because it is able to seep into the upholstery and kill the dander with high-temperature steam, as well as remove bacteria from the surface of your furniture and counters.
What Causes A Pet Allergy
The job of the immune system is to find foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria, and get rid of them. Normally, this response protects us from dangerous diseases. People with pet allergies have over-sensitive immune systems. They can react to harmless proteins in the pet’s urine, saliva or dander . The symptoms that result are an allergic reaction. The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens.
Pet allergens can collect on furniture and other surfaces. The allergens will not lose their strength for a long time. Sometimes the allergens may remain at high levels for several months and cling to walls, furniture, clothing and other surfaces.
Pet hair is not an allergen. It can collect dander, urine and saliva. It also can carry other allergens like dust and pollen.
Cat and dog allergens are everywhere. Pet allergens are even in homes and other places that have never housed pets. This is because people can carry pet allergens on their clothing. Also, allergens can get into the air when an animal is petted or groomed. Pet allergens can also be stirred into the air where the allergens have settled. This can happen during dusting, vacuuming or other household activities. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods.
Recommended Reading: Best Laundry Detergent For Eczema Skin
Over The Counter Allergy Medicines
Nasal and Oral Corticosteroids
- Flonase Nasal Spray offers 24-hour relief of allergy symptoms. The active ingredient is Fluticasone propionate
- Rhinocort Allergy Spray for 24-hour relief of congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy nose. The active ingredient is Budesonide.
Oral Antihistamines
- Claritin Reditabs is a 24-hour oral allergy medicine. The active ingredient is loratadine.
- Zyrtec Allergy Relief Tablets offer 24-hour relief of upper respiratory allergy symptoms. The active ingredient is Cetirizine HCl.
Natural Remedies
- Saline sinus rinse – Mix 3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 8 ounces of water to create a sinus rinse. You can use an ear dropper or purchase a sinus rinsing device to apply the mixture and help relieve symptoms.
- Plant-based supplements – Taking supplements that contain rosmarinic acid may help alleviate symptoms.
- Some Foods may reduce inflammation that leads to allergy symptoms : Ginger, Bee pollen, Citrus fruits, Turmeric, Tomatoes, salmon/oily fish, onions
Essential Oils
Which Animals Pose The Biggest Problems
Cats are kept as pets in 27 percent of homes in the United States and dogs are found in 32 percent. However, roughly twice as many people report allergies to cats when compared to dogs. Research also indicates that male cats produce less Fel d I allergen than female cats, although the reason is not clear. 1
Animals with fur may be more likely to carry allergens from other sources, like dust, but the fur itself is generally not a trigger. For that reason, short-haired or hairless animals contribute dander and allergens to indoor air pollution just as effectively as long-haired animals do. There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat. 1
Read Also: What To Do To Help Eczema
Are Dog Allergies Genetic
In the case of dog allergies across the board, yes, dog allergies are genetic on two sides.
On one side, dogs that have a lot of dog dander tend to shed more than their counterparts, which is a genetic disposition for them based on their breed thus, creating a lineage that will have the same predisposition.
On the other side, if you have allergies to dogs, it is almost certain that your offspring could have a sensitivity to dog dander and the allergies that come with it.