can u still be allergic to hypoallergenic dogs
What They Arent Telling You About Hypoallergenic Dogs
As someone with dog allergies who nevertheless has been around many dogs as a trainer, a fosterer, and an owner, Candice has learned not to trust the promise of a hypoallergenic dog. Shes met low-shedding, hypoallergenic poodles and Portuguese water dogs that supposedly shouldnt trigger her allergies yet very much did. But she has also met fluffy, longhaired breeds such as huskies and spitzes that set off nary a sneeze. Ive had more misery with short-haired dogs, she told me. That includes her own Belgian Malinois, Fiore, with whom her symptoms got so bad that she started allergy shots. Fiores equally furry full sister Fernando, though? Totally fine. No reaction!
Candicewhose last name Im not using for medical-privacy reasonsis not alone in discerning no rhyme or reason to which dogs shes allergic to. In studies, scientists have found no difference in how much of the dog allergen Can f 1 is present in homes with hypoallergenic versus non-hypoallergenic breeds. One study found no difference in the amount of allergen on the fur of different dogs either. Another actually found more allergen on the fur of hypoallergenic breeds. Hypoallergenic doesnt seem to mean much at all.
Theres really, truly no completely, 100 percent hypoallergenic dog. Even hairless dogs can make the allergen, says John James, a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Its really a marketing term, says David Stukus, an allergist at Nationwide Children's Hospital and a member of AAFAs Medical Scientific Council. When I asked several allergists around the country if perplexed owners ever come in allergic to their expensive, supposedly hypoallergenic dog, their answers were unequivocal: All the time. One of the biggest sources of misinformation on this topic is, in fact, a former U.S. president. When President Obama was in office, they allegedly had a hypoallergenic dog because their daughter had allergies, and that didnt help matters, Stukus told me, referring to the Obamas first Portuguese water dog, Bo. Everybody got Portuguese water dogs. Andsurprisethey can still cause allergies.
Technically, hypoallergenic means that a dog is less likely to cause allergies, not that it never causes allergies, though this distinction is often lost in colloquial use. But even then, there is no such thing as a consistently hypoallergenic breed. Thats because, although breeds that shed less fur or hair are commonly considered hypoallergenic, the fur or hair itself is not what causes allergies. Rather, it is proteins present in the dander, or small flakes of skin, or saliva. All dogs make these proteins, and all dogs have skin and saliva.
It is true, though, that a person might find one dog less allergenic than another. The studies that couldnt find a clear pattern of lower allergens in hypoallergenic breeds did find differences among individual dogs of the same breed. And a smaller dog is generally going to shed less dander than a big one. On size alone, it does make sense that a chihuahua is less problematic than a Great Dane, says Richard Lockey, an allergist at the University of South Florida. Dogs also make a whole suite of proteins that can cause allergies. The best known is Can f 1, although there are seven others. Some people might be more allergic to one of these proteins than another; some dogs might make more of one of these proteins than another. Whether a particular human actually ends up allergic to a particular dog depends on these detailsand cant be predicted from the breed alone. For this reason, doctors recommend that anyone with allergies spend time with a specific dog before taking it home. I literally say, Have your child hug them, rub their face on them. If nothing happens, thats a good sign, Stukus said.
People who are allergic can also develop tolerance to a specific dog over time. Candice, for example, eventually developed a tolerance to her German-shepherd mix, Tesla, despite getting all watery-eyed and sneezy at first. In addition, allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, can help people build up tolerance by gradually increasing exposure to an allergen; Candice eventually resorted to them with Fiore. The inverse of this principle explains the Thanksgiving effect, where people who leave for college come home suddenly allergic to their childhood pet after not being exposed for a long time.
Nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines such as Claritin and Allegra, which are available over the counter, can also be used to manage allergies these days. That wasnt always the case, recalls Lockey, who began practicing medicine in the 1960s. Back then, there werent good medications for controlling allergies, and he would just tell patients to keep their pets outdoors. That just doesnt go anymore, he told me. Now few dogs are kept exclusively outdoors, especially in cities. They sleep in our homes and even our beds. As dogs have become physically enmeshed in our lives, dog allergies can no longer be as easily ignored as when the animals lived outside.
The myth of an allergy-free dog persists, though, and Stukus often sees this frustration play out in families with allergic kids. This is the point that I hear all the time from families: Its the grandparents, he told me. Parents might quickly discover that their kids are allergic to hypoallergenic dogs. But grandparents, eager for their grandkids to visit, push back because their expensive pet is supposed to be hypoallergenicThe Obamas had the same dog. Its fine!only for the kids to end up coughing and miserable. He keeps hearing the same lament. They just dont understand, the parents tell him, that theres no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.
Can You Be Allergic to Hypoallergenic Dogs? The Truth Behind the Myth
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are a modern subject that is quite often discussed.
What are actually hypoallergenic dogs? These kinds of pups could be any dog breed that releases less dander in the air. In other words, hypoallergenic dog breeds are dogs that shed and drool less than other dogs, which can be tolerated by allergic people.
Therefore, compared to other dogs that shed more, hypoallergenic dogs spread less dander that could cause allergic reactions.
So, hypoallergenic dog breeds aren't actually 100% hypoallergenic.
Can someone still be allergic to hypoallergenic dogs?
Yes. The fact that a dog is hypoallergenic doesn't mean is completely allergic-free.
Because different breeds of dogs don't release the same proteins, some people can only tolerate a certain kind of dog and not a particular breed. In other words, a person may respond to one kind of breed and be symptom-free with another dog of the same breed.
Is only the fur that causes allergies? What about a non-furry dog?
Not the fur, but the dog's dander is the allergen. Dander is what truly causes an allergic reaction, thus even a dog with modest shedding or non shedding at all might still emit it into the air.
People with pet allergies may also be allergic to the proteins found in pet saliva, urine, and feces in addition to dander.
Yes, people can still be allergic to hypoallergenic dogs
Summing up, there are no dogs that are fully non-allergic to people. The two key deciding elements are the organism resistance of the person and the quantity of dog dander emitted.
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Why Theres No Such Thing as a Truly Hypoallergenic Dog
- Almost 10 million pet owners are allergic to their animals.
- While getting a dog marketed as hypoallergenic might sound like a good solution, it may not work for someone with a true allergy.
- When dogs shed, some people can develop an irritant response to the hair. While the symptoms can be the same, an irritant response is different from an allergic response.
- Irritation doesnt trigger the production of antibodies the way an allergy does.
- The proteins all dogs produce are what trigger a true allergic reaction. However, not all people with dog allergies are allergic to the same proteins.
If you become congested and start to sneeze anytime youre near a dog, youre not alone. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) reports that almost 10 million people are allergic to their pets.
For many pet owners, buying a hypoallergenic dog sounds like the perfect solution. No more allergy pills or shots and you can still have a cute, furry friend. It sounds perfect, right?
However, when Healthline asked several allergy experts about hypoallergenic dogs, they all gave us a very emphatic no.
Theres no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog.
However, there are many options to consider that may allow you to own a dog without triggering a reaction if youre a person living with pet allergies.
According to allergist Dr. Tania Elliott, a spokesperson for the ACAAI, people can develop allergic reactions to pet dander (similar to dandruff in humans), saliva, urine, and hair.
When exposed to these substances, our body can mistakenly see certain proteins within them, called allergens, as a threat. To protect us, our body develops antibodies against those proteins.
When were exposed to those proteins again, we then have an allergic response. Our immune system will be activated, causing the release of histamine.
Histamine causes symptoms, such as sneezing and increased mucus production, which protect us from the invading protein.
These symptoms are what cause the discomfort we associate with an allergy.
In the case of a dog allergy, Elliott says you could develop symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma attacks, sneezing, and/or congestion.
You might also develop hives if youve been touched or licked by a dog.
According to Dr. Jill A. Poole, professor, division chief of allergy and immunology at the department of medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, theres no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog because all dogs produce the same proteins.
Its those proteins to which youre reacting. Thats why even a so-called hypoallergenic dog can still trigger an allergic reaction.
It would be more appropriate, Poole said, to call these shedding versus non-shedding dogs.
Shedding dogs release more dog hair into their environment, leading to a buildup of dog hair in your home.
Non-shedding dogs tend to not shed their hair as easily. They must be regularly groomed to prevent matting.
When dogs shed, some people can develop an irritant response to the hair.
While the symptoms can be the same, an irritant response is different from an allergic response. Irritation doesnt trigger the production of antibodies the way an allergy does.
If you experience an irritant response to dog hair, having a dog that sheds less would reduce this.
Being vigilant about keeping loose dog hair cleaned up would also help those who are experiencing an irritant response, says Poole.
Poole says your first step in getting tested for a dog allergy would be to talk with a doctor or allergist about your symptoms and medical history. If these indicate a possible dog allergy, they can order a test for you.
This testing would be either a skin test or a blood test.
Skin and blood tests are similar in that they can detect the antibodies in your skin and blood that trigger an immune response to a particular allergen.
In a skin test, a small amount of a diluted allergen is placed under your skin, either by pricking the skin or by injection.
If you develop a red, itchy bump, called a wheal, within about 15 minutes, youre considered to be allergic to that particular allergen.
A blood test would involve drawing blood and testing it in a laboratory for the presence of antibodies.
While theres no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, it appears that some people with dog allergies may not be allergic to all dogs.
Theres
Poole explains this means that some people with dog allergies could potentially own either a female or a neutered male dog and wouldnt have an allergic reaction.
There are six different proteins that have been been identified as causing allergies in dogs: Can f 1 to 6.
Can f 5 is only produced in the prostate gland of the male.
Because of this fact, a female dog wouldnt produce an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to only this one allergen.
A neutered male produces less of this protein and might also be a safe choice.
About 30 percent of people with dog allergies are allergic to only the Can f 5 protein, Poole says.
Dr. Princess Ogbogu, director of allergy and immunology at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, does caution that its a bit premature to make this a standard clinical recommendation.
It is a hypothesis and not well established yet, Ogbogu said.
However, if youd like to explore this avenue further, you can speak with your doctor about testing.
A test for allergy to the Can f proteins was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in
Poole says its important that youre tested for all of the Can f allergens and not just Can f 5. You could be allergic to more than one of them.
If youre not one of the lucky few who are only allergic to Can f 5, there are several other steps you can take that may allow you to have a canine in your home.
Environmental controls
Poole suggests the first place to start is to try limiting your exposure to the offending allergens through environmental controls.
According to the ACAAI, environmental controls could include such things as:
- not having a dog
- keeping your dog out of your bedroom
- restricting your dog to only certain parts of your home
- avoiding petting or touching your dog
- washing your hands with soap and water if you do touch your pet
- keeping a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner continuously running
- regularly using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner or central vacuum
- giving your dog frequent (at least weekly) baths
Medications
Another step you can take is to use medications to manage your allergy symptoms.
Your allergist can recommend which medications will be best for you, depending on your individual symptoms.
Medications your doctor might prescribe include:
- Antihistamines. These medications block the production of histamine, the chemical thats responsible for the symptoms we associate with allergies, such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
- Corticosteroids. When given as a nasal spray, corticosteroids can reduce allergy symptoms like inflammation.
- Decongestants. These medications can shrink swollen nasal passages and reduce congestion, making it easier to breathe. However, they may not be safe for people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or heart disease. Talk with your doctor before using them.
- Leukotriene modifiers. If other allergy medications arent a good option for you, your doctor may prescribe a leukotriene modifier. This type of medication blocks certain immune system chemicals that can cause allergy symptoms.
Immunotherapy
Finally, although it can be time-consuming, immunotherapy does offer more of a permanent solution to dog allergies.
Poole explains it takes about 3 to 5 years to desensitize a person to an allergen.
The protocol involves giving the person a gradually increasing dose of the allergen once or twice a week until they reach a maintenance dose.
At this point, theyd then need an injection every 2 to 4 weeks over the course of about 3 to 5 years.
Each injection is given subcutaneously (in the fat layer between the skin and muscle).
The person is then observed by a medical professional for 30 minutes in case they have an adverse reaction to the allergen.
Immunotherapy can greatly reduce, or even completely eliminate, your allergy symptoms.
Many people who love dogs are unfortunately allergic to them.
While a hypoallergenic dog might seem like a good solution, allergy experts say theres really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.
However, this doesnt mean youre without options. There are ways to reduce or eliminate your exposure to dog allergens. You can also take medications that manage your symptoms or have immunotherapy to desensitize you to dog allergens.
An allergist can help you learn more about your options.
