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Our antibodies are programmed to search out and destroy all possible dangerous invaders of the body, such as pollen, dog hair, or saliva. Studies have shown that 10-15% of the U.S. population is allergic to animals. However, the National Institutes of Health estimates that 25% of people with allergy- and asthma-related health problems keep pets in their home.
Dog allergy is less common than cat allergy, and it has been proven that the longer-haired breeds carry more skin scales and are able to provoke allergic reactions more frequently. Not only hair, but also a dog's lick may also set off a severe allergic response.
Animal
Source of allergens
Cat
Skin, Saliva, Hair
Dog
Saliva, Skin, Hair
Rat
Urine
Guinea Pig
Saliva, Urine
Rabbit
Saliva, Urine
Gerbil
Skin, Serum
Hamster
Skin
Mouse
Urine
Horse
Skin
Cow
Skin
What is the target population?
A big problem is the fact that these allergies to dogs can strike almost anyone at any age, so, there are no rules. However, there is one thing – most people that suffer from dog allergies often have other mild allergies to pollens or molds. Not many people know this, but there is a strong genetic correlation in developing allergies, which means that if parents have allergies then the kids are more likely to have them also.
People that are allergic to dogs are, in most cases, allergic to:
1. Dander
2. The small scales of dead skin constantly being shed
3. Dog's hair,
4. Dog’s saliva
Dog allergens are small and sticky and can stay airborne for a long time. Some people are not specifically allergic to dogs, but have a primary allergy to another substance, such as pollen. In these cases, a dog can provide an additional irritant that could trigger the primary allergy attack. People who are allergic to a dog's saliva only experience an allergic reaction if a dog licks them.