I may have Dog Danger Allergy. Allergy?

All warm-blooded animals shed tiny flakes from their skin called dander (it's like dandruff in humans, but much harder to see). Pet dander can be trouble for people who have asthma because if they're allergic to dander, it can make breathing problems worse. Some steps which may help are: - Vacuum all carpeted areas often and steam clean any fabrics that you can (couches, drapes, curtains, bedding, etc). - Add an air purifier with HEPA-grade filter to rooms that you spend the most time in with the pet. - Consider keeping the cat or dog out of the allergic individual's bedroom. Because people spend one-third to half of their time in their bedroom on average, removing pets from that room can significantly cut down on your time around pet allergens. - Bathe your pet frequently to reduce the amount of dander and hair, and/or brush them often. Consider wearing a dust mask when doing so if you have pet allergies. - Have preventative medications on-hand, such as fast-acting antihistamines or inhalers. - Begin with limited contact, like touching the pet with one hand, then wait to gauge your reaction. Some allergic reactions are immediate, while others may take time. - Consider a female or neutered male. Both female animals and males who have been neutered for at least 2 months have less active sebaceous glands and therefore produce fewer protein allergens. Non-neutered male pets have larger amounts of these secretions and are often more allergenic. - Smaller pets have less fur and dander than larger pets just because of their size. Consider adopting an animal that will remain small, like a lap dog or a cat. - If certain animals or breeds of pets seem to set off your allergies more than others, look around for ones that do not. Long-haired pets might make you react differently than their short-haired counterparts. - Some breeds of cats and dogs DO cause fewer allergic reactions for many people. Do research on various hypoallergenic breeds. - As with many allergens, pet allergens can become more and more mild overtime. Increasing time and exposure to animals that cause allergies can help lessen them for many people.