Dog Dander Allergen Facts, Symptoms, and Treatment
Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.
Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing?
Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components.
Ready to test a patient?
Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.
Is your patient a candidate for specific IgE testing?
Get detailed information on whole allergens and allergen components.
Ready to test a patient?
Up to 60 percent of European and U.S. households contain pets, and cats and dogs are the two most popular varieties.1 In fact, there are an estimated 77.5 million dog owners in the United States alone.2 Unfortunately, dog allergy is a common cause of asthma and allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever) worldwide, and it affects 5 to 10 percent of the adult population.3 These individuals are sensitized to one or more allergens, which are present in dog hair, dander, and saliva and can be easily transported in the air.4 The allergens stick to animal hair and dander and are easily dispersed; plus, they can linger suspended in air for long periods of time.1,5 Allergens can also attach to clothes and be transported to myriad places including indoor environments.
Those allergic to dog dander and/or saliva may experience symptoms when allergenic proteins are inhaled (either via direct or indirect contact with a dog) and when delivered via dog bite.1 While some claim that certain breeds are hypoallergenic, a truly allergen-free breed of dog doesn t exist.6
While dog allergens are present in the animal's hair, dander, and saliva, they can become airborne and linger suspended in air for long periods.1,5 Plus, they can end up in myriad environments, including those with or without dogs, such as schools, daycare centers, households, and transportation centers, where they can cause year-round symptoms.1 These allergens also can cling to many surfaces, such as bedding, clothing, and upholstered furniture, making them ubiquitous and difficult to eliminate. They may remain for several months.1,5,8
Some people with a dog allergy may also experience symptoms when exposed to dander, saliva, and urine from other mammalian animals such as cats, guinea pigs, horses, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, and hamsters. In addition, ingestion of foods such as milk, eggs, and beef may also elicit symptoms.1 This is called cross-reactivity and occurs when your body's immune system identifies the proteins, or components, in different substances as being structurally similar or biologically related, thus triggering a response.1
Knowing the proteins, or components, within each allergen that are triggering your symptoms can help guide your management plan. With that in mind, and based on your symptom history, your healthcare provider may suggest something called a specific IgE component test, which can help reveal the risk profile you belong to. Results from this test can also help your healthcare provider decide if immunotherapy may reduce your symptoms.1
Already have your specific IgE component test results?
Your component test results will include the name of the components (a series of letters and numbers). Your healthcare provider will likely review the results with you, but here you'll find an at-a-glance breakdown you can use as a reference. Simply match the component names to the list below to see what they mean in terms of symptom management.1,10
rCan f 1, rCan f 2
rCan f 5
rCan f 3, rCan f 6
rCan f 4
Test results should be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your clinical history. Final diagnosis and decision on further management is made by your healthcare provider.
*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.
If you are allergic to dog dander, your healthcare provider may recommend a plan that includes the following.5,8,9,11,12
The best way to reduce exposure is to keep dogs out of your home and to avoid visiting environments with dogs. However, if you can't bear to give up an existing pet, the following strategies may help reduce allergen exposure.
Your healthcare provider may direct you to employ one of the following therapies to improve your allergy symptoms:
If you're with someone who's having an allergic reaction and shows signs of shock, act fast. Look for pale, cool, and clammy skin; a weak, rapid pulse; trouble breathing; confusion; and loss of consciousness. Do the following immediately:
Symptoms of dog allergy can include:7
If you have asthma, you may also experience symptoms such as:7
In addition, some people may also experience symptoms of allergic dermatitis after direct contact with a dog. These symptoms may include:7
Although most pet-allergy symptoms occur within minutes of exposure, symptoms in some allergic individuals build over time and become most severe eight to 12 hours later.6
Together with your symptom history, skin-prick testing or specific IgE blood testing can help determine if you are allergic to a particular allergen. If you are diagnosed with an allergy, your healthcare provider will work with you to create a management plan.
*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.
Sensitization to furry animals is common and a risk factor for the development of allergic rhinitis and asthma.1 In fact, high levels of IgE for cat, dog, and horse allergen components are markers for severe asthma. Plus, sensitization to all three animals at the same time is a marker for increased risk of severe asthma.1,9 Also note that some animal bites are capable of producing anaphylaxis, but it's unusual for a dog bite to evoke this reaction.1