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Allergic to My Dog ?

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SO ive had allergies till 2004, dont really know where they came from but been dealing with them, they were worse when i was pregnant but i didnt take meds when i was pregnant i was on zyrtec before then after my daughter they gave me claritin since iw as breastfeeding. Claritin never really worked and i asked about a better med and all he could say was claritin is the best and wouldnt give me another one. Well onto the dog, we just got her a month or so ago, i never put two and two together until now, everynight when i go to bed my allergies have been worse, and i notice at night is when i let the dog out and shes on me and i handle her more often. When she is out and near my my throat itches and my eyes are watery and itchy and burning. My normal allergies involve sneezing itcy nose wich i have flonase that helps some. But im almost sure im allergic to my dog. based on what ive done. right now shes under the chair and my e yes feel blah and my throat is tickling, i have ah ard time fallins asleep at night due to the coughing and throat tickling . I plan on going to my dr to get a better med but i know if itell them its my dog they wil tell me to get rid of her and i cant do that. Anyone think a better allergy med would lessen t eh symptoms ?
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First Helper rrrrob
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replied August 18th, 2007
Active User, very eHealthy
Hmmm ... not sure. But you might want to create another environment for your dog...like let her stay in a certain part of the house. Also, you can steam-clean the carpets and clean the air ducts in the house. This can help a lot when dealing with allergies.
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replied August 18th, 2007
Especially eHealthy
We have hardwood floors in the house and no central air, so no air ducts either, she stays int he kennel alot lately, but when i handle her it bothers me. pretty much limited lol, she doesnt shed really either. also she doesnt get on the couches either shes not big enough to jump that high.
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replied July 11th, 2009
allergia
my bought my westie last october & in may-june i took a cough (well thats what i thought it was)i had a dripping down the back of my throat & the cough was getting worst at night, i didnt get much sleep, it felt as if i was drowning with the dripping when i lay down & a taste of strong salt taste, i have lived my house for 5 years now & ive never had this happen to me before, i talked to my doctor & she has given me nasonex, my other wee dog is a yorkie & i had her 3 yrs, well shes started to come out in a bad rash & scratches her self all the time, she on tabs but when she comes of them it starts again this has only started & i think its my westie dog that is the cause of all this. can any one help?
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replied April 15th, 2010
going through this myself...after 42 years, almost all of those years in a house with dogs, I have suddenly developed an allergy to dogs (confirmed by my doctor). I think it has to do with the fact that I have been unemployed since August 2008 and have been sitting in a house for two winters cooped up with the dog and therefore, because of the increased exposure, developed the allergy because of the constant exposure.

Flonase doesn''t work (even after using it for some time allowing it to ''build up'' in my system). Claratin and Zyrtec don''t seem to do anything either. I just got an expensive prescription nasal anti-histimine that also seems to do nothing. Getting out of the house or using a nasal spray (like afrin) are the only things that help now (first time I bathed the dog, shampooed carpet, cleaned the dog''s bedding, etc. and that all worked wonderfully, for several weeks). However, you can''t use Afrin on a regular basis, and you can even become addicted to it where you will get congested in non-allergy situations, so beware.

Hoping that cleaning the house real well will help...kitchen and bedroom curtains are in the washing machine as I type this. I just mopped the tile floors where the dog often sleeps (because it''s cooler) and drools! I''ve been vacuuming a lot too, and throwing in couch/loveseat slipcovers in the wash.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

Dont wash the dog every week...this will dry out his/her skin and result in more dander. At most, once every two weeks. Make sure your RINSE the dog WELL afterwards, as shampoo residue can irritate the dog''s skin and result in yet more dander!

Dog saliva can also cause an allergic reaction--it dries and then the particles become airborn, just like dander.

I bought a HEPA air filter for my bedroom and now the dog isn''t allowed in there (this kills me but I''m SUFFERING badly and REALLY doing everything in my power to keep the dog).

Some people say a "neti pot" device helps relieve symptoms...I bought one and once in awhile it seems to help, but lately seems to inflame my sinuses. If you don't know what it is: a small plastic container shaped like a tea pot...you fill it with saline solution, and press the spout against one nostril while leaning over a sink so that the solution drains through and out the other nostril. Then the other nostril. It takes some getting used to but some people swear by it.

I am not allergic to cats (so far!) so I put a cat door on the bedroom door so the cats can come and go as they please.

I am thinking I am at the end of the line as far as medications. I am guessing allergy shots are the next step.

I have read that new allergy developments are on the rise, but no one knows why...perhaps additives/preservatives in our food? Who knows?

As a side-note: This all started with a sinus infection that I got Amoxicilin prescribed for (I've used this antibiotic in the past with no issues)...during the 10-day dosing, I developed a rash over my right shoulder....I didn't think much of it, the sinus infection cleared, the rash went away (took awhile though...) but I was left with an annoying occasional non-productive cough (post-nasal drip, I assume). A few weeks after that my dog allergy arose...it almost seems as if the antibiotic triggered my allergy...not sure if this means anything, but thought I would mention it.
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replied February 7th, 2012
Exact situation. I have had Augmentin prescribed for a sinus infection/sore throat and now that the infection seems to be under control, allergy-like symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, headache, etc. are terrible. I don't want to think it is my dog of six years, but I am starting to believe it. I will try getting out of the house and see if the symptoms improve. My husband has a slight allergy to her already. I don't want my allergy to be the last straw because I love her.
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replied January 24th, 2011
I have 2 yorkies, since June of 2010. I had a yorkie before and he past in May 2010. since i have had these 2 yorkies, i have had a itchy rash that breaks out. around my ears, head and stomach. went to dr put me on steroids and it went almost away. now off of steroids its back! could i be allegric to my dogs?
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