Hay Fever is a condition where the lining of the nose and eyes become inflamed after exposure to allergens, usually pollens. One in five people in the UK suffer with Allergic Rhinitis, to give it its scientific name. The symptoms are sneezing, itchy throat and runny eyes, mostly in the summer when pollen counts are high.
Perhaps you are a sufferer. You have followed all the advice about keeping your nose clean, washing your hair frequently, wearing a mask even. You use nasal sprays and antihistamines yet you’re still suffering.
What is sabotaging your success? Well, it could be your dog!
Think about all that running around they do on your walks; pollen can easily stick to your dog’s fur.
If you think that this could be a factor there are certain steps you can take.
Your canine friends may spread pollen all over your house, transferring it to your carpets, bedding and soft furnishings. Prevent this by wiping their coats with a damp microfibre cloth before they come into the house. You could also try banishing your dog from the bedroom. And think about your dog’s bed. Make sure you wash it frequently and ideally, place it somewhere neutral in the house. Perhaps in a conservatory, if you are lucky enough to have one, or room that is used less frequently than others. Your dog’s toys could also be harbouring pollen. Wash these frequently and keep them somewhere safe and sealed when your dog isn’t using them.
Clean carpets with a vacuum that has a HEPA grade filter. If the problem is really bad you could try swapping curtains for blinds.
You might invest in an air purifier.
Regular bathing of your dog will, of course, also help, ideally every one to two weeks. Click here to choose buy a bottle of Dog Hair Day shampoo.
With a little extra care you may find that your hay fever symptoms calm down to an acceptable level.
If you are still having problems it could be that you are actually allergic to your dog. Allergies are typically to the dander, that is, flakes of dead skin, or to a dog’s saliva or urine. In this case we would suggest contacting your vet and discussing this with your doctor who may refer you for allergy tests
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained here it is for educational purposes only. The writer of this article and Dog Hair Day can’t diagnose any physical, mental or behavioural condition in animals nor prescribe treatment. We urge you to consult your vet if you have any concerns about your dog.