Managing Kids Allergic To Dogs
Medications for allergies can give relief for kids allergic to dogs , but if you plan to keep your dog, you’ll need to do your best to control dog allergy symptoms in your allergic child without the constant use of medication. Also, allergy medications may not prove effective in homes with multiple dogs.
Allergy shots are options for some kids with dog allergies; discuss this option with your child’s doctor.
Since dog saliva is the most allergenic dog allergen, thus limiting contact between your child and the dog’s saliva is the first step. It is recommended to train the dog not to kiss or lick people (all people, since the dog won’t likely single out your allergic child) and teach your child to do their best to keep dog saliva off of them. You can minimize exposure to airborne dog allergens by taking the following steps as a course of management for kids and dog allergies.
• Spay or neuter your dog—hormones impact allergen production in dogs
• Limit the dog’s area of the house and keep dogs out of children’s bedrooms if they are allergic
• Use encasing dust covers on mattresses and upholstered furniture
• Wash child bedding frequently in hot water
• Let your dog spend as much time as possible outdoors
• Bathe the dog every week
• Brush dog 1-3 times per week
• Use an allergen-reducing pet grooming product, such as an emollient that helps clean away pet allergens trapped in the dog and its fur
• Wipe the dog down on non-bath days with a wet cloth
• Vacuum the house daily using a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner
• Use household air cleaners/filters
• Steam clean furniture and carpets
• Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace with hard flooring
• Keep dogs off furniture and never allow them to sleep on your child’s bed
• Replace filters in heating, cooling, and air conditioning units regularly
• Have child wash hands and face after playing with the dog, and change clothing when practical
More on allergies in children
