Dog Allergies & Toddlers

Dog allergies can potentially make a toddler miserable and cause a fair amount of disruption for a family with a beloved pet. The condition often goes undiagnosed for a while because symptoms can be mistaken for asthma or common colds. A tough decision may have to be made about whether to get rid of your dogs or devote yourself to minimizing pet dander. The good news is that allergy symptoms often become milder as a child gets older, according to BabyCenter.

Definition

• Pet dander is the skin flakes, often mixed with saliva, that are constantly shed by household animals like dogs and cats. When a toddler has a dog allergy, his immune system is overreacting to the animal's dander. It views the substance as a threat and tries to protect itself, which causes the allergic reaction. Dog urine and feces are other less common culprits, but fur isn't an allergen. An allergy can develop at any age, according to WebMD and Dr. Derek Johnson, so a child may seem to suddenly become allergic to a pet after living with it for years.

Features

• Common symptoms of a dog allergy include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, a clear runny nose, wheezing and congestion. If the toddler lives with a dog, the symptoms should be year-round. They may be worse after playing with a dog or at night if there is pet dander in the child's bed; however, symptoms can persist for days after exposure. The reaction may even linger for weeks after being in contact with a dog if there's a considerable amount of pet dander in the child's environment.

Diagnosis

• Paying attention to your toddler's allergy symptoms may give you clues about what's causing them, but self-diagnosis can be tricky. If you want to separate your child from dogs to see if things improve, keep in mind that you will also need to eliminate dander from her environment. The easiest way to get an accurate diagnosis is to have skin tests performed by an allergist.

Limiting Exposure

• Dog allergies can often be managed with frequent cleaning and lifestyle changes. Clean the home thoroughly by wiping down hard surfaces and washing fabric items often. Use a HEPA filter. If possible, get rid of any carpet in your home or restrict the dog to noncarpeted rooms. Teach your toddler to wash his hands immediately after playing with dogs. Pay special attention to keeping the toddler's bedroom free of pet dander. Close bedroom doors to keep dogs out and have your toddler bathe and change clothes before going into her bedroom at night. In some cases, it may be necessary to find a new home for your dog.

Medications

• Allergy shots and corticosteroids can be effective in treating and even reversing allergies; however, these prescription drugs are usually not recommended for children under 4 or 5 years of age. Prescription antihistamines may be used as young as 2 years old.Over-the-counter medications, including nasal sprays and decongestants, may help treat symptoms temporarily. They are not meant for long-term use. Ask your pediatrician for advice if your toddler's allergy symptoms are ongoing or interfere with daily activities. Minimizing exposure to dogs is a safer approach than ongoing use of medication.