Minimizing Dog Dander
December 4, 2008 by Paris and John
Filed under Tips
President-Elect Obama’s promise to get a First Dog has drawn international attention–and raised awareness about dogs and allergies. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), more than 20 million Americans have asthma, and 50 million have allergies, so the Obamas are definitely not alone in their quest for a dog that will minimize allergens.
Dog allergens stem from the dog dander. “When inhaled into the nose and lungs, dog dander can trigger sneezing, coughing, wheezing and other symptoms that make breathing difficult,” says Bob Overholt, MD, a board certified allergist in Knoxville and host of the “Dr. Bob Show” on the AmericanLife TV Network.
There are steps you can take to minimize dog-related allergens in your home. According to the AAFA:
- Keep pets out of the bedroom and off of beds at all times to minimize dog dander accumulation.
- Separately wash human and dog bedding weekly in 130-degree hot water to remove dust mites and dog dander.
- Wipe pets after being outdoors to remove loose pollen from their coats.
- Don’t allow dogs to play with the kids’ plush toys.
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