How do you know if you are allergic to dogs?

August 14th, 2006 by admin

allergic
natie_05 asked:


I’ve been around dogs all my life and I’ve never had any allergies or any symptoms that would leave me to believe that I am allergic to dogs, but the last couple of times I visited my sister-in-law’s house I have sneezed uncontrollably (she has three dogs- St. Bernard, Boxer and a Great Dane) the whole time I was there.
Last night I visited again and after about half an hour of being there I got a kind of a blister on my top lip that appeared within minutes and was gone by the hour…. Have I suddendly become allergic to dogs? And can you be allergic to just certain breeds of dogs?

I am not familiar with allergies or their symptoms, so if anyone can give me any info I would greatly appriciate it.

5 Responses to “How do you know if you are allergic to dogs?”

  1. Bethany Wilkinson Says:
    August 16th, 2006 at 7:07 am

    Well, you could be allergic to the dirt or stuff on their fur. And yes its possible to only be allergic to some breeds. (i know). You start to break out on your arms and your eyes get watery.

  2. Sal Says:
    August 17th, 2006 at 5:23 am

    Have they used any type of powder on the dogs? Maybe it is something in their house? You might want to visit an allergist and they can do some tests to determine what you might be allergic to, if anything.

  3. Crybaby Says:
    August 18th, 2006 at 4:18 am

    Make a test at the hospital to be shure, that you have allergy.Maybe you have it on smt else - for ex.on dust
    And maybe you sister using smth for dogs that making you snze…in allergy reaction it could everything! It so uninspective!

  4. Lauren Says:
    August 18th, 2006 at 3:33 pm

    If you have never had a reaction before than I would guess it is an air freshener or candle that your sister used that caused it. I would go to someone elses house that has dogs and test there. I don’t reccomend going to an allergist unless you are REALLY concerned as they will prick zillions of times testing different things. (I did it)

  5. joey322 Says:
    August 19th, 2006 at 4:05 am

    well, here’s my thoughts and i have been an allergy person from about kindergarten, that’s when i started my allergy shots!

    so, the dog thing…..
    there could be a few possibilities to this sudden reaction.
    you could be allergic to something other than the dogs, but the dogs are just the obvious reason. you could be allergic to her household cleaners, air freshener, maybe her house is just really dusty and that is the problem. have you eaten anything new or interesting while there???

    the dogs are the most probable culprit, but i wanted to throw some other ideas out there.
    yes, you can be allergic to some dogs and not others. usually, it’s all dogs, but sometimes it is breed specific. see, it’s not the dog hair that you are allergic to, it’s the dander or dead skin cells that reacts to your senses.
    i was diagnosed to being allergic to dogs, yet i have a chocolate lab and i am fine. HOWEVER, when i am around a whole bunch a big shedders like a st bernard, well, that’s when it hits me.
    the same is true with my brother. he is allergic to dogs, but he has a york terrier and he’s fine.

    also, allergies can arrive on the scene at any time in your life. i think i have actually done the opposite and grown out of alot of mine, thank goodness!

    what i recommend….
    before going to your sisters pop some over the counteer claritin (it helps sooo much!) and if it’s a really big concern for you, then see a specialist. or, go to your primary care physician and get a referral to an allergist (gotta love insurance companies:).

    good luck and i hope yous start to feel better soon!

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