| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:29 pm  |
I got my pup last fall and never had any problem with ehr at all. However, now I developed eczema that is according to the dr comes hand in hand because I have asthma. I am currently taking allegra and I have never had serious asthma attack.
I told my mom about my eczema on the phone last night, and the first thing she said was "it was the dog". Then she went on and told me that I was tested positive for allergic to dogs when I was little (that explains why the dog that my family had when I was little was an outside dog). I live in an aparment now, so making my pup be an outside dog is out of the question. My mom wants me to get rid of her, but I dont want to. It is not that I am dying or anything, just getting rash and sneeze once in a while.
Well, even if I were dying, I would not get rid of her.
I am really sad and scared. I have appointment for new allergy test soon, and I just know that being allergic to my dog will be the result.
Is there a stronger allergy medicine besides allegra that any of you is using?
Please help me....
thanks |
|
|
Mabsy
Moderator
 
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
|
|
|
Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:27 pm |
Awww, I'm so sorry to hear that! I have no advice on the medications, but what sort of dog is it? There may be things you can do to minimise the impact of the allergy. For example, vacuum often and make sure that you have a good strong vacuum cleaner with multiple filters (including a HEPA filter). You can also get special mattress protectors that are resistant to pet dander (which is what causes most of the allergies I believe) and try to keep your bedroom as an area that is not accessible to the dog. Other more drastic things would be restraining your dog to non-carpeted areas of the house and having furniture that doesn't attract their hair and dander (e.g. sealed leather). Also, goes without saying I guess, make sure you wash your dog often and scrub him/her well (they enjoy that anyway  ).
Good luck with your tests! |
_________________
45, NW20, combination skin |
|
|
|
|
Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:54 pm |
Thanks Mabsy...
As I remember you also have a dog (from the pet insurance post). How often should I wash her. Currently only wash her every 2 months or so. I heard washing dogs so often is not too good. Also, what brand of vacuum do you use/recommend? |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:12 pm |
Hi roadtonowhere,
What kind of dog do you have?
Vets and dog handlers in general recommend not bathing a dog too often because it strips their coat of their natural oils. This will make them dry and flakey. Also, the more you wash a dog, the quicker their "natural" smells will return. This little factoid was told to me by a groomer - I'm not sure if its true or not.
As for vacuums, I heard that the Dyson is AWESOME for picking up dog hair. I really really want one, but I just got mine 
I have eczema (among other things), but fortunately, my dog isn't causing me any problems! |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:13 pm |
Hi roadtonowhere,
My hubby and I are both allergic to our cat but we love him too much to give up. We vaccuum alot. I've also heard that if it is short hair, you can rub a baby wipe over the fur, it helps keep dander down.
I get the itchy, watery eyes so I am careful to wash my hands often, but hubby gets the aggravated eczema. I have eczema also but it isn't triggered by the cat. I also have asthma, hubby doesn't. The problem is that my hubby's eczema is around his eyes so it's hard to find creams to control it.
He regularly uses petroleum jelly around those areas. Not only does it sit on top of the skin and create a barrier that holds water in but as an "occlusive" it also keeps irritants from contacting the surface of the skin. This is where it may help you. When my eczema used to flare up, I rubbed in selsun blue or head & shoulders.
Take heart! Going to the allergist is a great idea because they can help you control it and I hear there is even a shot you can take to control your allergies. |
|
|
Mabsy
Moderator
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
|
|
|
Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:09 am |
| roadtonowhere wrote: |
Thanks Mabsy...
As I remember you also have a dog (from the pet insurance post). How often should I wash her. Currently only wash her every 2 months or so. I heard washing dogs so often is not too good. Also, what brand of vacuum do you use/recommend? |
Re: Vacuum cleaner - I have a Dyson. I had a bit of bad luck with mine to be honest. When I pay around $700 for a vacuum cleaner I don't expect it to have to go back for repairs twice (on warranty) and then still don't expect it to break a few months after warranty finishes. Still, even though the filters are really expensive, it's a great vacuum cleaner! I know many other people who are happy with theirs and who have never had a problem and it was just unlucky that I got a lemon.
In terms of washing dogs, I have also heard that it's not good to wash your dog too often. I have a Poodle and I wash him weekly because HE is allergic to everything and has to be waxhed often with medicated shampoo. Still, I read somewhere that weekly washing of dogs is also recommended for dog owners with allergies. I'd talk to a vet about this. Perhaps you can do this and use a good conditioner so as not to strip their coat (or at least put some back ). |
_________________
45, NW20, combination skin |
|
|
|
|
Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:21 pm |
puglove: I have a yellow lab mix.
pnw: Myabe I will try the baby wipes. How often do you think I should use the baby wipes? Btw, you are talking about the moist baby wipes, right?
mabsy and puglove: I will look into dyson. It is funny because I was just thinking about this brand as I saw their commercial on tv last night. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:29 pm |
| Yes, I am referring to the wet baby wipes. I've heard people do it every 1 to 3 days. It's kind of like damp dusting. I also comb my cat all the time when he is on my lap so there is less fur to shed around the house. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:31 am |
Re Vacuums: I was going to get a dyson, but I read on consumer report that the Hoover bagless Windtunnel performed better. The windtunnel cost about $200 - $300, but I bought a factory refurbished one for about $120.
I vacuum almost everyday and have had this vacuum for about a year with no problems. and let me tell you, I vacuum up so much junk. I killed my last vacuum within a year. I have a giant schnauzer and a rabbit. The GS doesn't shed much, but the rabbit does. The GS brings in so much grass and dirt on his fur from rolling in the yard. I would highly recommend the hoover over they dyson as a lower cost and better alternative. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:27 am |
I second the Hoover. I did a lot of research and reading reviews before I decided to buy the Hoover. The suction rating is higher on the Hoover, even though the brushes need to be cleaned on occasion to keep them rotating well(well, I have to because I shed a lot and my long hair gets tangled in them!). Also, you can't beat it for the price. I still can't believe that someone could charge $700 for a vaccuum!  The markup on that is just outrageous.
By the way, my vet recommended that I give my pup a bath weekly since she was having skin problems (bacterial infections). Of course I don't do it weekly because it's quite a chore to wash a 70 lb lab! I would suggest a minimum of once a month. I also give my cat a bath at least 2-3 times per year as well. I'm highly allergic to both dogs and cats, but good grooming habits definitely help. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:22 am |
| I totally sympathize with you roadtonowhere. I have two dogs ( 1 yellow lab and 1 lab/retriver cross)and also allergies,and I used to work for a immunoligist. You might want to try something different than Allegra since it is marketed as "best for seasonal allergies". I have used Reactine for years. Your allergies are most likely enviromental as are mine. A vacuum that is ducted to the outside of your house is what is best to use as well as making sure your dog doesn't get dry skin, so his/her dander doesn't get worse. We give our dogs Omega 3 vitamins as well as a high quality food and they have beautiful coats and shed only seasonally. And yes dogs should only be bathed every 6-8 weeks at the most. They get dry skin too! Eczema and asthma go hand in hand and you'll need to treat each as they come. If you're not feeling that your nose is running or your eyes are watering, just treat the skin condition for now and get it under control. HTH! |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:09 pm |
| girlnextdoor wrote: |
| I totally sympathize with you roadtonowhere. I have two dogs ( 1 yellow lab and 1 lab/retriver cross)and also allergies,and I used to work for a immunoligist. You might want to try something different than Allegra since it is marketed as "best for seasonal allergies". I have used Reactine for years. Your allergies are most likely enviromental as are mine. A vacuum that is ducted to the outside of your house is what is best to use as well as making sure your dog doesn't get dry skin, so his/her dander doesn't get worse. We give our dogs Omega 3 vitamins as well as a high quality food and they have beautiful coats and shed only seasonally. And yes dogs should only be bathed every 6-8 weeks at the most. They get dry skin too! Eczema and asthma go hand in hand and you'll need to treat each as they come. If you're not feeling that your nose is running or your eyes are watering, just treat the skin condition for now and get it under control. HTH! |
girlnextdoor: I have never heard of reactine. Just went to their website and it says that it is the #1 selling allergy medicine in canada. Does it even exist in the US? |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:35 pm |
| The suggestion of an oil is a good one. We give our cat salmon oil we bought at the pet store and they have it for dogs as well. It has really helped his dryness and our vet says it acts as an anti-inflammatory so it has helped his gums, too. I highly second the recommendation. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mon Apr 17, 2006 5:24 pm |
LOL!! If you think I research skincare, you should just see the research I do on dog care!!! 
Dogs can (and actually do better) if they have infrequent baths. With most dogs, bathing is an endless cycle. You bath them because they are stinky. Bathing them causes an increase in oil production leading to more doggy smell. So, then you bath more... I like to hose mine off at least once a week in the summer. I do it right before we got for a walk and by the time we are done, he is dry (no wonder, it was 101 today!) By doing this, you get all the loose hair, dirt and dander off, but you do not dry out their skin. The oil recommendation is wonderful. I use salmon oil (timberwolf organic) I buy it by the gallon, but then again my dog is 100lb, so this is probably not necessary for most.
Like girlnextdoor said a good high quality, no preservative food and less frequent baths will go a long way to eliminate that doggy smell. |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Apr 18, 2006 6:56 am |
HI roadtonowhere;
I didn't realize that you couldn't get Reactine in the U.S. Can you find one where you live with the same ingredients...
cetirizine & pseudoephedrine HCl? I just think it's a better choice than the Allegra. However, your exzema may not be caused by your dog. Does your dog ever lick you? Dog and Cat saliva is big cause of skin inflammation in humans. Not all dogs will make you react but some can cause you to get itchy and blotchy. Also when they lick themselves they spread their saliva on their body (as do cats but much worse)thus making thier dander worse and causing those of us with allergies to react. One of my dogs' saliva is fine and the other makes me itch. I have to wash right away if he licks me. I still think you should treat the exzema as exzema and not an allergic reaction. Get the inflamation down and then watch what brings it back. As for the fish oils and good quality dog food. These are things you should give your dog anyway whether you have a skin condition or not.
My mom doesn't understand that I won't give up my dogs either, but I wouldn't give up my kids and they are as much a part of my family. In fact, most days I like my pooches better than my two teenage daughters! |
|
|
|
|
|
Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:58 am |
girlnextdoor: thanks for the reply. I will def ask the allergy specialist about a medicine with such ingredients. I havent had any new flare ups these last couple of days. So I really hope it is not the dog.  |
|
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:10 am |
That is very interesting. i adopted a cat from the shelter years ago and I also started getting eczema patches. I never put these two together since I have dermatitis on my face and scalp and my sister had eczema her whole life. I just thought I developed them late. However all my eczema patches are in places that are not in contact with my cat (my back, abdomen, back of my knees). Hmm...
My derm recommended clarinex for my eczema. I never picked up the prescription since it cost me $90
Hopefully it is not your dog that is the cause of the problem |
_________________
~~ super-sensitive, dry, dermatitis prone, rosacea/northern calif ~~ |
|
|
|
|
Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:40 am |
| mtview wrote: |
That is very interesting. i adopted a cat from the shelter years ago and I also started getting eczema patches. I never put these two together since I have dermatitis on my face and scalp and my sister had eczema her whole life. I just thought I developed them late. However all my eczema patches are in places that are not in contact with my cat (my back, abdomen, back of my knees). Hmm...
My derm recommended clarinex for my eczema. I never picked up the prescription since it cost me $90
Hopefully it is not your dog that is the cause of the problem |
clarinex? hm... ist it from the maker of claritin? |
|
|
|
|
| Tue Apr 16, 2024 3:47 pm |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
