Pet allergies

Posted on 15 August 2013

My child is allergic to dogs. Does that mean we can’t get a family pet, at all? It’s a tough call for mothers in this position, especially when your child wants an animal to love. Here, Dr Annemarie Gouws, an allergy specialist from Mediclinic Hermanus, answers the question.

Firstly, how severe is your child’s allergy  and how does it manifest? If he or she suffers from severe or hard-to-control asthma, exposure to pets is not wise.

But if the allergic condition is mild and easily managed, it is possible to keep a dog. For parents in this position, it is important to keep in mind that the allergy to dog dander is not caused by the fur or dog hair per se, but to the proteins present in the  skin, saliva or urine of the animal. These proteins stick to the dry, dead skin flakes that collect on the dog’s fur. Some dogs shed very small amounts of fur and therefore release smaller amounts of the allergens into the air. You can find extensive lists of dog breeds that shed smaller amounts of fur and are therefore presumed to cause less allergic reactions: The list includes Schnauzers, some terrier breeds, Bichon Frisé (‘powder puff dogs’), Maltese and some other poodle breeds. But remember these are not proven to be hypo(non)-allergenic. In fact, no breed is considered truly hypo-allergenic.

If you do decide to give in to your child’s pleading, keep the following helpful tips in mind:
1. Go for smaller dog breeds as they tend to shed smaller amounts of dander.
2. Keep all animals out of bedrooms and areas where the child spends a lot of time. Dogs should not be allowed to sleep on beds, for instance. Also ensure sufficient ventilation in the house.
3. Bathe the dog once to twice weekly to remove dander from its coat.
4. Vacuum and shampoo carpets regularly. Better still, use carpet-free flooring.

Read more about food intolerances and whether you can outgrow an allergy here.

 

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.