Immunotherapy, an option to consider for dog allergy
Dog allergy can seriously complicate matters when the dog’s place in the family is not negotiable. As uncomfortable and varied as dog allergy symptoms can be, the typical advice to « Get rid of the dog » is not necessarily an easy option for all. The emotional bond may weigh heavily when time comes to make a decision.
Before making a decision to find a new home for the dog, it is important to consider the severity of the person’s allergy. Indeed, poorly controlled asthma and nasal congestion and other symptoms of rhinitis interfering with sleep are serious issues that warrant careful consideration.
While allergists often recommend getting rid of the dog, it may be possible in some cases to treat dog allergy while keeping man’s best friend around. Generally, the following adjustments should be considered by the person choosing to keep the beloved pet.
If you are allergic to dogs, it is recommended to ensure the sleep area becomes out of bounds for the furry friend. The dog should not be allowed in the bedroom let alone sleeping on the bed. The dog’s allergenic protein does not tend to disseminate as readily as that of the cat. Thus sleeping in an « uncontaminated » area 8 hours each night provides some respite from the dog’s allergen exposure… and better quality sleep! It is also important to review the ventilation and consider an appropriate HEPA compliant system.
Recent advances in molecular allergy have confirmed that in a majority of cases, the protein responsible for dog allergy (allergen) comes from the dog’s saliva. The dog’s allergen is heavier than the one generally causing cat allergy. It tends to contaminate the floor or other surfaces where the dog may choose to lie. Avoiding contact with the dog’s saliva, washing your hands after petting and appropriate household hygiene measures may help considerably.
In most cases, it is possible to consider immunotherapy to change the course of one’s dog allergy and thus provide an alternative to the drama of the household parting with thee dog. The option of sublingual immunotherapy is particularly appealing in this situation. Beyond just treating the symptoms of dog allergy, duly supervised sublingual immunotherapy with attentive monitoring of intercurrent asthma may represent a choice d’AVANT GARDE MédicalMD for people with dog allergy.
