Allergic to Dogs? Get a Female One, Expert Says

Your dog allergy might not be caused by the dog but a special protein produced by a male dog, says an expert in allergy.

According to Dr. Lakiea Wright, an allergist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, at least 30 percent of people who claimed they have dog allergies are sensitive to a specific protein called Can f 5 produced in the prostate of a dog.

This protein is lightweight and can spread to the skin and fur of the dog when it urinates, said Dr. Wright.

She also explained that it can stay in the air for a long time and stick to furniture and even your clothes. And since it sticks, it may also spread on some areas where a dog has never been.

So if you love dogs but your nose can't stand them, you should consider taking the blood test for an allergen. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last May.

And once the test comes positive, consider getting your dog neutered or adopt a female one instead, Dr. Wright suggested.

Dog allergy is not caused by fur

If you have asthma or are allergic to dust or pollen, there is a chance that your body will overreact to furry animals. And it is not uncommon. In fact, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about three in every 10 people with allergy are also allergic to common house pets like cats or dogs.

However, allergy experts said that it is not the fur that triggers the allergy but the proteins in the urine, saliva or even the dead skin cells.

Currently, there are six identified "dog allergens", and not all of these will trigger your overly sensitive immune system if you are allergic to dogs. At least three of these may increase your risk of developing asthma

But here's the good news: not all of these are produced by every dog, so a certain breed and gender might not cause you to sneeze.

When testing for dog allergy, an individual will be tested for all of that allergen to refine the diagnosis, Dr. Wright explained.

Unfortunately, no such thing as a "hypoallergenic dog" exists, Dr. Wright spoiled, because all dogs produce at least one type of these proteins. So if you're allergic to all of those, accept your fate that you can only admire dogs through pictures and stuffed plush.

What to do when you're allergic to male dogs?

Aside from the test, Dr. Wright said that knowing the history of your symptoms is also important, including when it began and if you sneeze only or more around male dogs. Your doctor might also want to know if you have other allergies since allergies tend to gang up.

Once proven, your doctor might prescribe you with antihistamine, nasal steroid or allergy shot, depending on the severity of your reaction.

But sometimes, people who are not allergic to Can f 5 are still sensitive around it. For that reason, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests minimizing exposure through:

• Asking a non-allergic family member to do pet hygiene maintenance, including cleaning their cage and litter box.

• Keeping your pet out of the bedroom, and regularly cleaning your room aggressively. Scrub off the walls, use a vacuum cleaner to stir up allergens, clean your carpet regularly, and so on. You might also consider using a HEPA air cleaner.

• When in contact with animals, change your clothes immediately.

• Visit your trusted specialist regularly.