Causes of Dog AllergiesIt'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.
Prescription antihistamines taken as a nasal spray include azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase). Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine tablets include fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert) and cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy); OTC antihistamine syrups are available for children.
8 of the Worst Dog Breeds for Allergies
- 01 of 08. Basset Hound. Eric Ybarra / EyeEm / Getty Images.
- Doberman Pinscher. Tara Gregg / EyeEm / Getty Images.
- 03 of 08. German Shepherd.
- 04 of 08. Siberian Husky.
- Labrador Retriever. Faba-Photograhpy / Getty Images.
- 06 of 08. Pekingese.
- 07 of 08. Pug.
- 08 of 08. Saint Bernard.
These techniques include:
- Cut down on pet dander. Consider a hypoallergenic dog or give your dog or cat weekly baths to reduce dander accumulation.
- Eradicate dust mites.
- Vacuum.
- Dehumidify.
- Get rid of houseplants.
- Control cockroaches.
Symptoms usually start as soon as a few minutes after eating a food and as long as two hours after. In some cases, after the first symptoms go away, a second wave of symptoms comes back one to four hours later (or sometimes even longer). This second wave is called a biphasic reaction.
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Cover the area with a bandage. If there's swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, swelling, and hives.
Allergists recognize four types of allergic reactions: Type I or anaphylactic reactions, type II or cytotoxic reactions, type III or immunocomplex reactions and type IV or cell-mediated reactions.
Symptoms include a feeling of warmth, flushing, a red, itchy rash, feelings of light-headedness, shortness of breath, throat tightness, anxiety, pain/cramps and/or vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, you may experience a drop in blood pressure that results in a loss of consciousness and shock.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- swelling of the throat and mouth.
- difficulty breathing.
- lightheadedness.
- confusion.
- blue skin or lips.
- collapsing and losing consciousness.
Treatment
- Antihistamines. Antihistamines can reduce the swelling, redness, and itchiness of rashes and hives on the face.
- Corticosteroids. Creams, sprays, and eye drops that contain corticosterone can help to reduce inflammation.
- Moisturizers.
- Cold compress.
- Immunotherapy.
If you have red, bumpy, scaly, itchy or swollen skin, you may have a skin allergy. Urticaria (hives) are red, itchy, raised areas of the skin that can range in size and appear anywhere on your body. Angioedema is a swelling of the deeper layers of the skin that often occurs with hives.
What does a skin allergy look like? There are several different types of skin allergy reactions that allergists treat. Hives (also known as urticaria) are raised itchy bumps. Typically hives appear reddish, and will “blanch” (or turn white) in the center when pressed.
Swelling from angioedema can be itchy, and can sometimes be painful. It usually goes away in a day or two.
07/7?You can get a rashIf your face becomes red and inflamed within minutes after your dog licks you, this indicates that you have caught an allergy. The infection can be treated with anti-fungal creams and oral medicines.
Bassett: Yes, although allergies chiefly develop in children, adolescents and young adults, they can manifest during mid-adulthood. However, the color and gender of your new cat could be to blame.
Most people with allergies first develop them as children or infants. But as they age, some individuals seem to leave their hay fever, pet allergies or even food allergies behind. Doctors don't know exactly why, but people's allergies actually can disappear over time.
Excessive vaccinations, environmental and dietary toxins, and emotional stress can trigger or exacerbate allergies. Use natural flea and tick control to avoid exposing your dog to toxic chemicals. Topical treatments like oatmeal baths, aloe vera and calendula gels, and green tea compresses are soothing to the skin.
No breed is truly allergy-safe. In fact, “hypoallergenic” dogs may produce just as many allergens as their shedding, furry cousins. And all those allergy-triggering proteins can become airborne, particularly when your dog licks himself when grooming.
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.
50/50 Apple Cider Vinegar Water Spray
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural, safe relief for especially dry, itchy skin.
- To avoid getting vinegar in any open cuts, fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% ACV to target affected areas.
Veterinarians recommend Benadryl - and its generic diphenhydramine - for dogs for a range of symptoms. These include environmental allergies, food allergies, anxiety, hives, motion sickness and more.
If your dog shows signs of a more advanced reaction, including facial swelling, itchiness, vomiting and/or hives or bumps all over the body, see your veterinarian immediately. In rare cases, dogs can experience a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Benadryl is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases.
Thus, instead of red, raised welts, all you may notice on a pet with hives is multiple, small raised tufts of hair. These raised bumps may cause itchiness, or not bother the pet at all. If hives are present on areas with less hair they might be easy to see—for example, on a dog's belly.
The most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish. And, most dogs are usually allergic to more than one thing. Q: What causes these allergies? A: It's a multi-factorial thing, but certainly you have to have a genetic predisposition to develop allergies.
During an allergic reaction, dogs may experience one or more of the following signs: Swelling of face or muzzle. Skin rash or hives. Difficulty breathing.
Dosage of Benadryl
| Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) | Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) |
|---|
| Dog Weight | Tablet (mg) | Children's Liquid (ml) |
|---|
| 1 lbs – 10 lbs | 1 mg – 10 mg | 0.4 ml – 4 ml |
| 10 lbs – 20 lbs | 10 mg – 20 mg | 4 ml – 8 ml |
| 20 lbs – 30 lbs | 20 mg – 30 mg | 8 ml – 12 ml |
When strict flea control is not possible, or in cases of severe itching, your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids (steroids) to block the acute allergic reaction and give immediate relief. If a secondary bacterial infection is present, an appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed.
