Animal Allergy Medication

[Loobar]

Have had asthma for many years and allergies to animals is a real pain, particularly long haired species of dogs. Coming into contact particularly in a closed environment makes me very ill for a period of time; sneezing, wheezing (badly) etc. Coincidentally, some of my relatives now have dogs which badly set me off. Oddly these are dogs that I wouldn't expect to cause too much of a problem, such as an Airedoodle. I am badly affected and am considering taking Antihistamines or similar prior to coming into contact (Christmas etc will be a problem).

Any recommendations for pet allergy Antihistamines or similar? Not coming into contact is not an option, though I know that it makes sense!

[hilary39]

While dogs with hair shed less than dogs with fur, you are just as allergic to them if you are allergic to dogs. It's a common misconception that there is such a thing as a "hypoallergenic" pet. You are allergic to a protein in their spit, urine, and skin. Poodles landed me in the hospital once which surprised me too until I learned that the term hypoallergenic is nonsensical for dogs.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the only thing that works for me when I need a really heavy-duty antihistamine.

Good luck, bring your inhalers and try to medicate as much as possible going in and afterward to block the histamine reaction-

[Ryanphilip_9]

Due to my Asthma, my doctor suggested me to get rid of my dogs a few years ago. To be honest, it's difficult to imagine life without a pet. So, if anyone has any advice on how to avoid pet allergies while having a pet, I'd appreciate it.Thanks

[asthmaK]

I'm allergic to cats...I can't be in a house with cats for more than 10 minutes without my asthma and allergies flaring big time and lasts several days. I take allergy medicine like Claritin or Allegra before going into a house with cats, then I sit on only hard wooden chairs. I take my rescue inhaler while I'm there and I often have to excuse myself to go outside and breathe in fresh air. I'm wondering if allergy shots could help reduce the reactions. I've not tried that yet.

[Beanybabe14]

Hi I feel your pain! My husbands family now all have dogs so whenever I visit I have a flair up. And they’ve just bought a holiday lodge where I stayed a few weeks ago and had severe symptoms. I took my rescue inhaler and take loratadine but my symptoms are still pretty bad in poorly ventilated environments (like a static caravan!) I have bought some other antihistamines to try but from past experience others I’ve tried don’t seem to be much relief for my allergy asthma symptoms but can make me drowsy as well.

It’s such a shame as I don’t want to miss out/ want my children to miss out and frustratingly my in laws seem quite offended that I ask for the dogs not to come to our house!!

I have read that a preventer inhaler taken daily can reduce the severity of the reaction to the allergen over time so I’m going to ask an asthma nurse this when I visit.

I had an appointment a while back and she basically said it wasn’t asthma rather allergies which isn’t accurate!!

[Beanybabe14]

I’m also considering immunotherapy although I think we’d have to pay privately in the U.K.. my boss based in Germany has daily tablets containing the allergens he’s allergic to help reduce his allergies - their healthcare seems much better than ours for non urgent treatment!!

I find the situation hard as I’ve just tried to live with it for years and have downplayed how scary it is but not I realise they are actual asthma symptoms!!