Allergies and the First Dog
Few appointments in the new Obama administration are as eagerly awaited as the choice of first dog. Animal advocacy groups are lobbying for a rescue pet. Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club has seized on the fact that Malia Obama has allergies, suggesting that the first family choose among several so-called “hypoallergenic” breeds like the Bichon Frise or the poodle.
Now allergy specialists are weighing in as well, noting that there really is no such thing as a nonallergenic dog. People who are allergic to dogs are reacting to the pet dander, not the pet hair. Dogs like poodles, with coats that don’t shed, and hairless dogs will typically produce less dander than other types of dogs, but they still can produce enough dander to affect a highly allergic person.
Dr. Jonathan Field, director of the allergy and asthma clinic at new York University’s Langone Medical Center/Bellevue, said he gets questions all the time from parents who want dogs despite a child’s allergies. “Pet allergies are not due to hair, but are from pet dander — skin flakes — but also can be reactions to saliva or urine,” Dr. Field said. “Before investing in a dog, I suggest that parents have their child spend time with an animal — if possible — to see how they react.”
Popularity: 1% [?]
Related posts:
- World's First Hypoallergenic Cats : On Sale Now
- World's First Hypoallergenic Cats : On Sale Now
- World's First Hypoallergenic Cats : On Sale Now
- World's First Hypoallergenic Cats : On Sale Now
- World's First Hypoallergenic Cats : On Sale Now
