Allergies to Puppies

Dogs may be man's best friend, but for some people, puppies can be a source of sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Some dog lovers choose to treat or live with their allergy symptoms for the sake of the family pet, while those who suffer from severe allergic responses must shun their furry friends. If you are adopting a puppy and find that you suffer from allergies, there are steps you can take to minimize your symptoms.

Scope

• Almost half of all U.S. households have a dog or cat, and roughly 10 percent of the population is allergic to them, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. The rate is higher for people with asthma: between 20 and 30 percent suffer from pet allergies. Cat allergies are more common than dog allergies, and people with dog allergies may be allergic to all dogs or just to certain breeds.

Puppies vs. Dogs

• A dog's coat changes as it grows, and puppy dander can differ from the dander of an adult dog. Thus puppies can trigger allergies that adult dogs do not, and vice versa. If you're choosing a puppy as a pet, you'll want to expose yourself both to puppies and adult dogs of the breed you prefer, to make sure you don't have allergies to either. For example, schnauzer puppies may trigger an allergic response while adults often do not. Likewise, golden retriever pups may not trigger attacks, but adults may.

Breeds

• While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic puppy, some breeds produce less dander and are thus better tolerated by people with dog allergies. Hairless breeds--such as the Chinese crested and the Mexican hairless, or Xoloitzcuintli--are gaining popularity among allergy sufferers. Other breeds that shed minimally and produce little dander include the poodle, the schnauzer, the curly-haired bichon frise, the tiny Maltese, and the Portuguese water dog.

Cause

• People with allergies to puppies do not react to dog hair itself, but to dander, or skin flakes, below the puppy's fur. Allergic symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes and difficulty breathing, can occur within several minutes of exposure. Symptoms can build over a period of eight to 12 hours, even if the person is no longer near a puppy. People with severe allergies can react to dander found on the clothing of someone who has had recent contact with a dog.

Severe Allergy

• People who are highly allergic to puppies may develop severe breathing problems when exposed to dander. They could find themselves coughing and short of breath within 15 to 30 minutes of contact with a dog. Some people will also develop a rash or hives on the face, neck and upper chest. And for people with asthma, the symptoms of a dog allergy can trigger an asthma attack. For people with severe allergies, no treatment is likely to be entirely effective, and simply avoiding puppies and dogs is the best defense.

Treatment

• The best way for allergy sufferers to prevent symptoms is to stay away from dogs. If you can't bear to lose a beloved pet, however, you can try to minimize your contact with dander. Keep the puppy out of your bedroom if you can, and clean the house frequently. Bare floors are better than carpet, which can trap dander. Prescription medications, including steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays, can help control allergies to puppies. Some people get periodic allergy shots or allergy drops to ward off allergy symptoms despite exposure to dogs.