1 00:00:01,920 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio. Hey brain 2 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:10,319 Speaker 1: Stuff Lauren Boga Bam here with the appeal of all 3 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:14,280 Speaker 1: cuddles and no allergic reactions, hypoallergenic dogs seem like the 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:17,639 Speaker 1: obvious choice for animal lovers who are somehow sensitive to 5 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: those wet noses and wagging tails. But are these hypoallergenic 6 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,160 Speaker 1: dogs too good to be true? The truth is many 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: specific breeds of pups touted as hypoallergenic don't shed fur, 8 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,280 Speaker 1: and because of this trait, some breeders promise these dogs 9 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: won't trigger any allergies at all, except they can, so 10 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: what gives. It's not actually a dog's fur that's responsible 11 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:43,240 Speaker 1: for humans allergic reactions. It's what's stuck on the fur 12 00:00:43,320 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: that causes are sneezing or asthma attacks. People who are 13 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:50,080 Speaker 1: allergic to dogs and cats too, for that matter, are 14 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:53,159 Speaker 1: triggered by protein in the animals saliva and urine that 15 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: sticks to the animals fur and skin. When a dog 16 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: sheds its fur and dander or dry skin flakes, that 17 00:00:59,640 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 1: alle g inducing protein is released into the air. That's 18 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: why non shedding breeds tend to lessen allergic reactions and 19 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: humans no shedding means fewer of those allergen inducing proteins 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: are released, but no dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic. It's 21 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: a marketing term more than a medical term. But while 22 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: hypoallergenic maybe a fluff term, having a non shedding breed 23 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 1: is totally helpful for people that have allergies and who 24 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: want a dog too. The American Kennel Club reports that 25 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: many less allergenic breeds do produce less dander. This, paired 26 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:37,160 Speaker 1: with the fact that these dogs don't shed, makes several 27 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,039 Speaker 1: breeds a good fit for people prone to allergies, including 28 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: Afghan hounds, Irish water spaniels, Maltese poodles, Portuguese water dogs, schnauzers, 29 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: and mixes of the above. On the other hand, some 30 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 1: breeds can produce more of that protein and shed more. 31 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 1: Labrador retrievers, for example, can quote Greek havoc on your allergies. 32 00:01:56,600 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 1: According to the American Kennel Club that said, it's not 33 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 1: one size fits all solution. We spoke with Melanie Carver, 34 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: vice president of Community Health for the Asthma and Allergy 35 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: Foundation of America. She said some people with a dog 36 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: dander allergy may be less reactive or have less symptoms 37 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 1: to dander from certain breeds. Allergy testing cannot determine which 38 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 1: breeds may work better for you than others. The only 39 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:23,280 Speaker 1: way to determine if you can tolerate being around a 40 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: certain breed is to have direct, repeated exposure to a 41 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: dog and see how your body reacts. While the typical 42 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:34,520 Speaker 1: signs of pet allergies may seem obvious sneezing, scratchy throad, 43 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: or itchy eyes, several lesser known symptoms can also appear. 44 00:02:39,040 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 1: If you're doing a test a round with a pup, 45 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 1: be on the lookout for facial pressure and pain, swollen 46 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:48,280 Speaker 1: blue tinted skin beneath your eyes, and excessive coughing. These 47 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: symptoms are similar to allergies caused by hay fever. They're 48 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 1: caused by the inflammation of nasal passages. Other allergic reactions 49 00:02:56,320 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: could affect the skin, resulting in hives, eczema, and general itchiness. 50 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: In the most serious cases. PET allergies can also contribute 51 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 1: to asthmatic reactions like chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and 52 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 1: trouble sleeping. Many pet allergy warning signs resemble symptoms of 53 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,120 Speaker 1: a regular cold symptoms that last beyond two weeks are 54 00:03:16,160 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: likely allergies and therefore a red flag. In some severe cases, 55 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:24,320 Speaker 1: it's impossible to find a dog that doesn't trigger allergies, 56 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:27,239 Speaker 1: but more often than not, a few trials can lead 57 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: to the perfect pub. Breed plays the biggest role, but 58 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: several other factors such as dog size, can help or 59 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 1: hurt allergy prone owners. Big dogs produce more dander and saliva, 60 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: for instance, and small dogs are simply easier to bathe 61 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 1: and groom. Frequent grooming, which is required for any non 62 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: shedding dog, is one way to stay ahead of allergies. 63 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: Another recommendation is setting ground rules when it comes to 64 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 1: lounge time. The American Kennel Club suggests keeping pets off 65 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: the bed and washing their pet beds regularly. It also 66 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: recommends ditching heavy carpets and drapes that are known to 67 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: trap and hold on to dander. Carver also suggests brushing 68 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 1: and grooming your pet outside, vacuuming regularly, and washing your 69 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 1: hands and changing clothes after playing with your pup. It's 70 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: not all dooming gloom for those who have pet allergies. 71 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: Several types of medicines can help owners further manage their 72 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: allergy symptoms. Over the counter anahistamines help relieve itching, sneezing, 73 00:04:22,360 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: and running nose, while nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation. 74 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: Doctors may also prescribe stronger medications for patients who have 75 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: both asthma and allergies, and other allergy treatment options include immunotherapy, 76 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: which is a series of allergy shots, and nasal irrigation 77 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 1: like a Nettie pot. But hey, humans aren't the only 78 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,279 Speaker 1: ones who have dander allergies. Dogs can be allergic to 79 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: human dander too. Today's episode was written by Stephanie Vermillion 80 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:56,239 Speaker 1: and produced by Tyler Klang. Brain Stuff is a production 81 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 1: of I Heart Radio's How Stuff Works. For more in 82 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,479 Speaker 1: this and lots of other well groomed topic, visit our 83 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: home planet astuffworks dot com. And for more podcasts from 84 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: my heart Radio, visit my heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, 85 00:05:06,640 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.