Do I Need to Give Up My New Dog if I'm Having Allergy and Asthma Symptoms?
Some patients with allergies to dogs cannot control their symptoms even with good environmental control measures and allergy medicines. These steps include keeping the dog out of your bedroom, vacuuming regularly, and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Allergy medicines can include nasal saline washes, antihistamines, and topical nasal steroids.
If you are allergic to dog dander, you could be a candidate for allergy shots. This can be an effective, overall way to manage your allergy symptoms. The typical course is 4-5 years but this will be determined by your allergy specialist. You would need to see an allergist to review your history and do allergy testing. Allergy shots could provide better control of your symptoms.
If you are not a candidate for allergy shots and/or environmental controls and medicines do not work well enough, you might need to give up your pet dog to decrease your allergy symptoms.
John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
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