Hi There,

This may sound a little crazy, but does anyone else out there have an allergy to dogs ? I do ! However we always had dogs as I grew up, and found that as time goes on, I become less and less sensitive to 1 dog. The symptoms are very much like hayfever, except I get asthma too (although Storm does not effect me in this way).

Our pup isn't allowed upstairs which gives me (and the cat) some refuge. We make sure we vacuum the house twice daily with our Vax that has a HEPA filter, I make sure I was my hands throughout the day, and most importantly I take a benadryl every morning.

I did however wonder if anyone else suffers with this problem, and if they have found any good tips ?

I am allergic to dogs too, along with cats, rats, grass, washing powders lots of things, my shar pei brings me out in a terrible rash and the others make my lips swell D

I avoid margerine as studies have shown eating too much of it makes allergies worse. If i dont get my five a day the symptoms are worse too apparently foods like red peppers can help with allergies.

Getting enough sleep helps me out too as if im tired i get worse. also rembering to take an antihistamine daily even if my symptoms arent bad as they have a cumulative effect.

Couldnt be without them, when people ask why i have them if im allergic, i always point out that OH's beard brings me out in a rash, should i get rid of hin too?!

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Sun Tzu, Kita and Eiko

Had to laugh at this !

I've known people suffer alot more, for a hell of alot less !

I have all sorts of allergies as well as asthma, all of which is managed with daily antihistamines. Cats are the worst offenders, so could never have a kitty but it's manageable with dogs (hence Izzy!)

The one tip I would give is if you are using daily antihistamines, don't waste your money on the branded stuff, or even on prescription (my doctor used to prescribe me 2 months worth at a time to try and save me money). Just find out what the active ingredient in your current brand is and just buy the unbranded stuff online (Chemist Direct is my dealer of choice) as it's exactly the same thing and it's about 10% of the price! For example you can get 30 days worth of Cetirizine for £1.19 and Loratadine (what I use) for 89p. Compare that to your local shoe-based chemist who sell their own brand stuff at nearly £8 for 30 days worth! Daylight robbery!

I only recently found out that Chemist Direct also sell Fish4Dogs stuff, so there's another good reason to buy from them

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At the moment, I just take Benadryl one a day, I get the at the local supermarket for £5 - £6 approx for 12, so need to do some homework here. Even when I take them, I still get some small symptoms, like irritable eyes, and maybe hives on my lower arms. All of which are worth it. If I take the 8 hour ones, they tend to work better, but of course I have to remember to take them later in the day too.

I do the same buy unbranded, tend to buy asda or Lidl, i will now be heading over to chemist direct! Rep to tarnus from me

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Sun Tzu, Kita and Eiko

The only breed of dog i am allergic to is the American Cocker I dont know why but i come up in a rash and itch no other breed

I get the hay fever sneezing and itchy eyes from long haired breeds and cats. With my lot being short haired I am pretty much okays.

I get my anti-histamines from Home Bargains, summat like 70p for 14 tablets.

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Fere libenter hormines id quod volunt credunt

I'm allergic to Tummels dander....it only ever happens when i ruffle his fur up my arms go red and itchy...when i'm grooming him i don't have this problem as we're outside so it all blows away.

When i left home i became allergic to furries after living with them all my life....i'm fine around them now but i used to get a really nasty hayfever reaction

My godmothers husband and son are majorly allergic to furries, so my aunt got a mini schnauzer He's demented but they love him very much

Petal cleanse for dogs lotion has been known to help , it removes the allegens for the coats of cats and dogs and can help with the symptoms of runny puffy eyes, runny nose, sore throats and wheezing. Obviously might not help in all cases but aat around £13.00 certainly worth a go I would have thought. You put it on the dogs coat. MedicAnimal.com is one place you can get it.

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