Frequently asked questions
I have heard the word dander used in connection with pet allergies, what is dander?
Dander is the generic term used for the various bits and pieces shed by an animal. It is not hairs, but scaly fragments of skin, etc, cast. If you think of the similar word dandruff, you are not far away.
Is it the hair of the cat or dog which is the problem?
Yes and no, is the only answer to this one. The hair itself is not the main cause for concern, but the fact that the hair is greasy to some extent, and the dander, the bits of loose skin cast by the body in the normal way, tends to get caught up in the hair and its greasy surface, so the overall result of the problem, not just the hair alone.
Can bathing and brushing the dog help?
Yes, very much, regular bathing and brushing the animal helps to get rid of the skin fragments and the loose hairs which will gather this dander, so brushing gets rid of a lot of it, and bathing removes loose hair, dead skin flakes, and also excess grease on the hair, all of which contribute to the problem.
Is it all right for the pet to sleep on the child's bed, sometimes?
No, if there is an allergy problem, the dog or cat must never be allowed to sleep in the child's room, particularly on the bed. While this may seem harsh, allergies can build up by regular exposure to small quantities of the allergens, as well as short exposure to larger amounts, so the less exposure overall, the more likely you will have success in having child and pet living together comfortably.
Are there medications which can relieve the allergy?
There are several medications and herbal preparations which may relieve symptoms, but are unlikely to provide a long term solution. If you allow the exposure to the allergens, while treating the symptoms, you are suppressing the warnings the body is giving that it is not managing to cope with the exposure levels it is experiencing, so in the longer term, the continued exposure with the symptoms masked, may make things worse instead of better.
For short term relief of extreme symptoms, of course, anything
which helps will probably be welcome.
What are the symptoms of pet allergy?
The symptoms can be quite different in different people, but the most common ones are those which are also common in other allergies, such as hay fever. So, red, dry, swollen or puffy eyes, runny nose, cough, sore throat, itching of the tender parts of the body, particularly where there has been exposure to the pet's saliva, hair, etc.
In severe cases, breaking out of the skin, excema type symptoms, red patches, breathing difficulties, perhaps dizziness, blurred vision.
Can it go away?
Yes, the symptoms will usually clear very soon after the source
of the allergens, in this case the pet, is removed. So, keeping the pet out
of the living area of the house can be very effective, perhaps sleeping in
a utility room, with the child playing with the dog out in the garden, taking
him for a walk, then washing the hands and face immediately afterwards, can
be very effective.