Human Asthma & Dogs

Asthma is a medical condition in which the airways of the lungs tighten, causing shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing. In sensitive individuals, exposure to dog allergens can trigger or exacerbate these symptoms.

Cause

• Allergic reactions to dogs occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in the animal's dander, hair and saliva as harmful and produces allergy-causing antibodies against them.

Types

• Dog allergens cause two types of reactions in the lungs. The first is a general inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The second, known as bronchospasms, is characterized by a sudden, severe tightening of the airways.

Exposure

• Dog allergens are spread through direct contact and inhalation.

Risk

• Allergic reactions to dogs can trigger serious asthma attacks in individuals with asthma.

Treatment

• Minimizing allergen exposure helps reduce the severity and frequency of allergy-induced asthma. Other treatments include long- and short-term asthma medications that reduce airway inflammation and medicines that decrease the immune system's sensitivity or response to certain allergens.

Misconceptions

• Non-shedding dog breeds and those that shed minimally release fewer airborne allergens. However, while this may reduce allergy symptoms, true hypoallergenic dogs do not exist.