WEBVTT - Can 'Hypoallergenic' Dogs Still Trigger Allergies?

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio. Hey brain

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<v Speaker 1>Stuff Lauren Boga Bam here with the appeal of all

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<v Speaker 1>cuddles and no allergic reactions, hypoallergenic dogs seem like the

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<v Speaker 1>obvious choice for animal lovers who are somehow sensitive to

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<v Speaker 1>those wet noses and wagging tails. But are these hypoallergenic

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<v Speaker 1>dogs too good to be true? The truth is many

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<v Speaker 1>specific breeds of pups touted as hypoallergenic don't shed fur,

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<v Speaker 1>and because of this trait, some breeders promise these dogs

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<v Speaker 1>won't trigger any allergies at all, except they can, so

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<v Speaker 1>what gives. It's not actually a dog's fur that's responsible

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<v Speaker 1>for humans allergic reactions. It's what's stuck on the fur

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<v Speaker 1>that causes are sneezing or asthma attacks. People who are

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<v Speaker 1>allergic to dogs and cats too, for that matter, are

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<v Speaker 1>triggered by protein in the animals saliva and urine that

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<v Speaker 1>sticks to the animals fur and skin. When a dog

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<v Speaker 1>sheds its fur and dander or dry skin flakes, that

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<v Speaker 1>alle g inducing protein is released into the air. That's

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<v Speaker 1>why non shedding breeds tend to lessen allergic reactions and

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<v Speaker 1>humans no shedding means fewer of those allergen inducing proteins

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<v Speaker 1>are released, but no dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic. It's

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<v Speaker 1>a marketing term more than a medical term. But while

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<v Speaker 1>hypoallergenic maybe a fluff term, having a non shedding breed

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<v Speaker 1>is totally helpful for people that have allergies and who

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<v Speaker 1>want a dog too. The American Kennel Club reports that

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<v Speaker 1>many less allergenic breeds do produce less dander. This, paired

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<v Speaker 1>with the fact that these dogs don't shed, makes several

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<v Speaker 1>breeds a good fit for people prone to allergies, including

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<v Speaker 1>Afghan hounds, Irish water spaniels, Maltese poodles, Portuguese water dogs, schnauzers,

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<v Speaker 1>and mixes of the above. On the other hand, some

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<v Speaker 1>breeds can produce more of that protein and shed more.

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<v Speaker 1>Labrador retrievers, for example, can quote Greek havoc on your allergies.

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<v Speaker 1>According to the American Kennel Club that said, it's not

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<v Speaker 1>one size fits all solution. We spoke with Melanie Carver,

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<v Speaker 1>vice president of Community Health for the Asthma and Allergy

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<v Speaker 1>Foundation of America. She said some people with a dog

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<v Speaker 1>dander allergy may be less reactive or have less symptoms

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<v Speaker 1>to dander from certain breeds. Allergy testing cannot determine which

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<v Speaker 1>breeds may work better for you than others. The only

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<v Speaker 1>way to determine if you can tolerate being around a

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<v Speaker 1>certain breed is to have direct, repeated exposure to a

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<v Speaker 1>dog and see how your body reacts. While the typical

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<v Speaker 1>signs of pet allergies may seem obvious sneezing, scratchy throad,

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<v Speaker 1>or itchy eyes, several lesser known symptoms can also appear.

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<v Speaker 1>If you're doing a test a round with a pup,

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<v Speaker 1>be on the lookout for facial pressure and pain, swollen

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<v Speaker 1>blue tinted skin beneath your eyes, and excessive coughing. These

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<v Speaker 1>symptoms are similar to allergies caused by hay fever. They're

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<v Speaker 1>caused by the inflammation of nasal passages. Other allergic reactions

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<v Speaker 1>could affect the skin, resulting in hives, eczema, and general itchiness.

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<v Speaker 1>In the most serious cases. PET allergies can also contribute

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<v Speaker 1>to asthmatic reactions like chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and

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<v Speaker 1>trouble sleeping. Many pet allergy warning signs resemble symptoms of

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<v Speaker 1>a regular cold symptoms that last beyond two weeks are

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<v Speaker 1>likely allergies and therefore a red flag. In some severe cases,

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<v Speaker 1>it's impossible to find a dog that doesn't trigger allergies,

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<v Speaker 1>but more often than not, a few trials can lead

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<v Speaker 1>to the perfect pub. Breed plays the biggest role, but

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<v Speaker 1>several other factors such as dog size, can help or

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<v Speaker 1>hurt allergy prone owners. Big dogs produce more dander and saliva,

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<v Speaker 1>for instance, and small dogs are simply easier to bathe

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<v Speaker 1>and groom. Frequent grooming, which is required for any non

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<v Speaker 1>shedding dog, is one way to stay ahead of allergies.

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<v Speaker 1>Another recommendation is setting ground rules when it comes to

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<v Speaker 1>lounge time. The American Kennel Club suggests keeping pets off

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<v Speaker 1>the bed and washing their pet beds regularly. It also

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<v Speaker 1>recommends ditching heavy carpets and drapes that are known to

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<v Speaker 1>trap and hold on to dander. Carver also suggests brushing

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<v Speaker 1>and grooming your pet outside, vacuuming regularly, and washing your

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<v Speaker 1>hands and changing clothes after playing with your pup. It's

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<v Speaker 1>not all dooming gloom for those who have pet allergies.

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<v Speaker 1>Several types of medicines can help owners further manage their

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<v Speaker 1>allergy symptoms. Over the counter anahistamines help relieve itching, sneezing,

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<v Speaker 1>and running nose, while nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation.

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<v Speaker 1>Doctors may also prescribe stronger medications for patients who have

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<v Speaker 1>both asthma and allergies, and other allergy treatment options include immunotherapy,

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<v Speaker 1>which is a series of allergy shots, and nasal irrigation

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<v Speaker 1>like a Nettie pot. But hey, humans aren't the only

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<v Speaker 1>ones who have dander allergies. Dogs can be allergic to

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<v Speaker 1>human dander too. Today's episode was written by Stephanie Vermillion

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<v Speaker 1>and produced by Tyler Klang. Brain Stuff is a production

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<v Speaker 1>of I Heart Radio's How Stuff Works. For more in

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<v Speaker 1>this and lots of other well groomed topic, visit our

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