The search for a “presidential dog” has dominated the headlines since President Obama’s campaign.  It has been reported that President Obama’s 10-year-old daughter, Malia, is allergic to dog hair, and thus starts the search for a “hypoallergenic” dog.  Many of my patients find themselves with the desire to have a pet, despite a pet allergy as well. 

There is a myth that pet allergies are caused by animal hair!  It is actually a protein found in pet skin/dander, saliva and urine that causes the allergy.  Hairless dogs are still going to have at least some allergen. Some dog breeds, are said to be “hypoallergenic,” as they shed less, but no dog breed is completely 100 percent hypoallergenic.  

In some cases, there are individual differences between breeds, and a particular pet allergy sufferer may do better with one breed as compared to another.  Lastly, it has been postulated that perhaps female dogs might produce less animal allergen, but the jury is still out on this one! 

You may look for breeds with shorter hair and less shedding, although there isn’t any real scientific evidence this will really help.  Some allergists have also advocated that there may be an advantage to keeping a dog that tends to keep their coat throughout the year. Also, there is a consideration to selecting a smaller dog, as these animals may shed less dander than a bigger dog.  Other factors discussed are the animal’s temperament or disposition that might make frequent bathing more feasible.

Tips that can help reduce dog allergy suffering:

• Create a pet-free bedroom

• Wash bedding in hot water

• Bathe your dog frequently and have a non-allergic family member perform grooming

• Use a HEPA air purifier, double bag and/or HEPA vacuum cleaner/home A/C,  and as well as vacuuming carpets, cleaning walls

• Shampoo carpeting frequently or better yet, go with wood or washable tile/linoleum flooring

• Increase time your pet spends outside, when the weather allows
 
• Visit an allergist to discuss treatment options
 
Nevertheless, there are no guarantees that an individual who is truly allergic to pets (about 10 percent if those with allergies) will tolerate living with a pet dog or cat.  What I have found helpful is actually trying out a pet on a “temporary or trial basis” for a future pet, to ensure a successful ending to this story.  An even better strategy is to begin allergy treatment before getting a pet if you are allergic, including allergy injections! 

For more information on pet allergies go to: http://www.aaaai.org/media/news_releases/pressrelease.asp?contentid=8326

For for home and animal allergy management tips check out: http://www.allergyandasthmarelief.org/animal_allergens.html

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Our soon-to-be First Family faces a personal struggle that millions of other American families face every day: Their daughter suffers from allergies.

An estimated 10-15 percent of people with allergies in the U.S. are allergic to dogs or cats. And about two million people who have cat allergies apparently live with at least one cat in their households. For many pet allergy sufferers, the importance of keeping their pet outweighs the difficulties present due to their allergies. 

The major pet allergens are produced in glands in the skin and can easily get into the animal’s fur, hair and saliva as well.  These chemicals can cause an allergic reaction if an individual is allergen-sensitive.  There are a variety of allergy symptoms including itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat, as well cough, asthma and hives.

If you have pet allergies, consider the following proven survival tips:

• Create an “allergy free” bedroom (where we spend about one third of each day).
• Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom.
• Purchase allergen mattress and pillow covers which may help to prevent pet hair brought into the bedroom from getting into the bedding.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and/or a double-bag filter to better catch pet allergens.
• Some studies indicate weekly bathing of a pet may substantially reduce the level of pet allergens in the fur (speak with your vet about any specific suggestions on best ways to do this).
• Learn which prescription or OTC allergy medications are helpful if you have pet-allergic symptoms.
• Allergy injections for pet allergies can be helpful in reducing symptoms if avoidance measures are not successful.
• One study found that it’s easier to transfer pet allergens form person-to-person when wearing wool rather than cotton.
• Washable wall covering, wood and linoleum flooring is easier to clean and remove adherent pet allergens than other surfaces. 
• Ask a non-allergic friend or family member when animal grooming is required.  It is best to do this on non-carpeted flooring. 
• Avoid the area around the cat’s litter box if you suffer with cat allergies.
• Wash your hands after handling a pet to keep from transferring the allergens to your eyes and nose.

LIVE SMART WITH YOUR PETS!  

Check out more tips about pet allergies from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at their consumer friendly website at: http://www.aaaai.org/patients/just4kids/pet_allergies.asp

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

During in the fall and early winter time in most 4-season regions of the US, we see an upswing in the number of individuals who suffer with a variety of respiratory and allergy symptoms as a result of greater exposure to pet cats and dogs.  Almost 70% of U.S. households have one or more domestic pets, equally divided between cats and dogs, accounting for 100 million pets.

Allergic owners suffer from reactions to their pet’s dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine. Hair or fur also can collect pollens, mold spores and other outdoor allergens. Americans love their pets and a recent Japanese study found that one in four patients with pet allergies continue to keep a pet despite allergy- and asthma-related problems.  In addition, the study indicated approximately 80 percent of the pet owners surveyed kept their pets inside the home most of the time. 

The presence of allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, and there are no truly “hypoallergenic breeds.” According to another study I conducted at The Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, the color of a cat’s hair may influence true allergic symptoms in people exposed to the dander. Preliminary data from a self-administered questionnaire of 400 households with pet cats indicated a significantly greater amount of allergy-related symptoms (such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy skin) with exposure to dark cat hair. As expected, the severity of allergy symptoms also was greater in owners who permitted their pet’s unlimited access to the bedroom.

Keeping animals outdoors is only a temporary solution since pet dander will eventually accumulate in the house, carried inside on clothing. Even the type of clothing worn can affect the transportation of pet dander.

Taking Control

Keeping pets out of the bedroom can reduce unnecessary suffering since people spend approximately one-third of each day in this room. The presence of cats and dogs on owners’ beds contributes greatly to the amount of airborne allergens in the home. Exposure to airborne allergens, which also are spread by air currents, can be reduced by restricting the pet’s presence in bedrooms, dens or living rooms with upholstered furniture.  

Because pet dander is quite light and buoyant, and floats freely in the indoor air, electrostatic or HEPA air cleaners can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles, especially cat dander. The size of the space determines the size filter necessary, and units are available as tabletop models or can be adapted to central air conditioning systems. Placing a screen or filter over room vents may keep dander from traveling through the heating and air conditioning system. Bear in mind that it may take six months or more to completely rid the home of cat dander particles even after the pet is removed.

There are a variety of other measures that can be utilized to minimize contact with pet allergens:

• Get allergy tested and learn if you are really allergic to your pets!
• Avoid hugging and kissing pets if you are truly allergic to them.
• Remove litter boxes from direct contact with allergy sufferers and place them away from areas of air filtration intake vents in homes with central heating and air-conditioning.
• Wash hands after handling or touching a pet to help avoid spreading the dander.
• Consider placing plastic covers on the couch or other upholstered furniture (which may harbor pet allergens) where the pet sleeps or rests.
• Utilize washable mattress  (encasings) covers, pillow covers and bedding in 130 degree hot water
• Replace carpeting with tile, linoleum and hardwood or other solid-surface flooring.
• Wash your pet on a weekly basis. Recent studies have indicated that some significant reduction in the amount of pet allergens occurs with weekly washing of dogs and cats. This activity appears to reduce the amount of dander that causes allergy symptoms
• A non-allergic individual should brush the pet regularly, outside of the home.
• Speak with your pet’s veterinarian to get a well balanced diet for your pet. This change in diet may help to minimize hair loss for the pet and this can reduce dander indoors.
• Use a double or micro-filter bag and a HEPA filter in the vacuum to augment the filtration of the vacuum cleaner and, in turn, reduce the amount of pet allergen present in carpeting that leaks back into the room air. 
• Finally, for those allergy sufferers who want to keep their pets, look into the administration of allergy shots (immunotherapy) by your allergist/immunologist to reduce the unnecessary suffering associated with having a pet in the home.

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.