My moms allergic. What do I do?
 

Hi everyone,

I have got yet ANOTHER question! My mom was tested a long time ago for allergies, and the dog one came back positive. In other words, it said that she was allergic to dogs. But that was a very long time ago, and she has been next to countless dogs since that time and she has suffered almost no symptoms whatsoever. She and my dad say I can not think of adopting a Yorkie until she gets retested and it comes back negative. That could take weeks, even months! I am SOOOO SOOOO SOOOOOOOOOOOO obsessed with getting a Yorkshire Terrier, and I can't wait much longer! I get this very excited nervous feeling every day without one, and it feels wierd. It's like there is some part of me that is empty, and a Yorkie will fill it. I knw it sound mushy and stupid, but it's true! Anyway, I just need to know If what everyone says is true: Yorkies are okay for people withallergies. If you or someone you know has allergies, and they are okay with Yorkies, please post here! Thanks,

The UYC number 1 fan

It depends on the person and their allergies. Some people are bothered by all dogs and other by only some. I would have your mom spend time with a yorkie first to see if she has any symptoms. It would be sad if you went through the trouble of getting one, getting attached to him/her then having to get rid of it. Sad for you and your family and the puppy! JMO

My mom is allergic to animals and has asthma and has not had a problem with my sister yorkie. She doesn't live there, but comes over with my sister everytime she goes over. She's had her for two years and now Daisy Mae goes over with me and mom's ok... Hope that helps a little..

I just posted about this lol.My sister is allergic to dogs and cats and she gets very teary and congested when in contact with either.When I first had Lady and Jess she used to refuse to come over,but one day she did and she was fine.I have to put my cat away though;) She plays with Lady and Jess and its great because shes ok the whole time shes here.
My sister in law gets the sniffles around dogs and cats too but shes fine also.I dont know or understand why it is,I just think its great..it makes yorkies even more perfect! lol.

From everything I know - yorkies have a different type of coat compared to other dogs. It is more like human hair - sort of - and they have no undercoat.
My son is allergic to cats and dogs - but we have had no problems with our yorkies. We have six yorkies and one even sleeps with him - for 10 years now and no problem with yorkies. They are the exception. I hope this brings you good news.
T.

i have allergies to dogs (really bad at times) and i am fine with yorkies and wheatons terriers.... maybe some others but these are the only ones that i have been around and been okay

My son is horribly allergic to dogs as am I. He will break our in a rash and start wheezing after contacting another "fur" dog. Yorkies were suggested to us by our doctor and allergist as a safe way to go. He has been around yorkies for about 3 years and has one sleeping on his pillow with him now every night. Not a single problem to speak of for wither of us. Hope this helps...
Jen and Jolene

Thanks guys! Anyone else?

I agree with topnnot. Yorkies have "hair" not fur. I got tested for allergies in one afternoon and had the results right away. They said I was allergic to cats, but I don't have any problems being around our two yorkies and 3 parrots. Just wish I could have 4 more yorkies ! :)

:aimeeyork :aimeeyork

animal allergies have nothing to do with the fur or hair of the dog, allergic reactions stem from the oils secreted by the animal's sebaceous glands. and just because someone tests positive for dog allergies, does not necessarily mean that s/he will definitely have an allergic reaction to all dogs. it simply means that the potential for an allergic reaction to occur is there.

there are OTC as well as RX meds out there that can help out with allergic reactions such as flonase, allegra, etc etc. she can consult with her allergist on what meds would work best for her. be sure that her doc is sympathetic to the situation though and won't simply tell her "no dogs" in absolute terms.

I've always loved cats, but I developed an allergy to them a few years ago and my eyes swell shut and I can't breath very well after being in contact with them. I sympothize with both you and your mom. It's hard to be allergic (or live with someone that'a allergic) to an animal that you would love to have.

Do you know anyone with a yorkie that you and your mom could go visit for a few hours a couple of times during the course of a week? If you do this you can see how your mom will react to yorkie. I don't know what kind of allergies she has so you might want to run this by her doctor first, but it would be better to find out now rather than get a puppy you love and have to give him up because your mom is miserable.

I hope you can get your puppy eventually.

Leah

I have, in the past done a lot of research, on hypo-allergenic breeds. I have read dozens of articles - all of which state that it is the "dander" from our pets that cause our allergies (and, as we know, this is especially prevelant in cats).

People's allergies to cats and dogs vary tremendously. Some people are only mildly allergic and other people severe reactions.

Many breeds of dogs are more hypoallergenic than others and are less apt to cause allergic reactions.


What does "hypoallergenic" really mean?
To be hypoallergenic is to have a decreased tendency to cause allergies. Hypo means less, not none. Hypoallergenic dog breeds will still produce allergens, but because of their coat type, will typically produce less than others. People with severe allergies and asthma will still be affected by a hypoallergenic dog.

What coat-type makes the difference?
There are two coat types that produce a lesser amount of allergens: single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat, and hairless dogs. However even hairless dogs can produce enough dander to to affect a highly allergic person

There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog.

------

I have seen Yorkshire terriers on several lists of dogs for people with allergies.

I am not sure about my Yorkie yet. I have a friend who is allergic to dogs and cats. She experience itchy hands after she played with my Yorkie pup. But, following another visit with my pup, she had no reaction at all.

If your mother's allergies are severe - I think she needs to visit the very pup you want to get and handle it and be around it for a while. But there is still the possibility that this pup's being around other puppies may cause her to have a reaction that is not coming directly from this one pup.

Also there are a lot of people who can handle being around a dog very well as long as they don't handle it a lot and then touch their face and eyes afterwards.

Even being allergic to dogs - doesn't always mean you can't tolerate some breeds...bathing a dog more often and handling it with care can often solve many problems.

**** - You will find a lot more information on the Internet regarding this problem than you will here on YT. There is so much good information on the Internet -- I can't even begin to share it with you here. Put "hypoallergenic dogs" in search - and start reading! Read a lot of articles.

Carol Jean




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I'm allergic to dogs and my yorkies have never bothered me nor did my shih tzu. I think it's has a lot to do with the fact that they don't shed. Good Luck. Tell your dad that yorkies don't affect people with dog allergies. As far as I know.

I found this website. Show this to your Mom & Dad.

http://www.bigdogboutique.com/Produc...enic_dogs.html

Not to be gross but i am allergic to cats and people used to say the fur is what causes it but the dr and allergist said its the urine of the cat that im allergic too. He basically said if i want to try to get a cat for my girls for the house i would have to go "test " the cats. As in i would have to sniff them..1 cat at a time and the one that doesnt have the bad pee..i should say would beable to be tolerated. I know this has nothing to do with the allergies to dogs but i thought i would share!! :D

Again - it's not the fur or the hair - or the pee that people are allergic to.
It's the "dander." I can't figure out where people come up with such totally incorrect information.

Please do some research - there are many many very informative articles (by allergists) on the Internet.

Carol Jean

Well really the only advice I can give is this story:

The groomer I work with has a husband. He is pretty darn allergic to dogs and cats. They own FOUR cats and THREE dogs. One of those being a golden retreiver which is very well known for not helping allergies at all. He rarely ever has a problem though b/c she keeps all the animals CLEAN. they get baths once to twice a week. Yorkies, depending on their skin, you can even wash every 2-3 days. But that does depends on the individual Yorkie. Yorkies aren't very bad for allergies if they're kept nice a clean. It's not the dog itself that people are allergic to, it's the dander on their skin. So long as they're kept clean, the dander is kept down. You can also help her by not allowing your baby on her bed or furniture that she sits on a lot. And wash your baby's bedding regularly. I wish you luck in your baby and share the information you retrieve here with your mom and dad! My sister also has bad allergies, but does fine when I travel to go visit her with my Yorkie and my Lab.

Good Luck!!

Saliva allergy
 

I agree with most threads here, but need to add one more point. There are people allergic to saliva. I am allergic to the saliva. If my dog licks me or scratches me with his mouth, the area get's all irritated. If he licks me or i touch one of his toys that he has chewed and then i touch my eyes! FORGET IT! I have to be REALLY careful to always wash my hands. I also take antihistamines and eyedrops for my itchy eyes.

Its weird, but within a few days, snickers learned that he could lick everyones face but mine. He doesn't even try. Yet, he immediately licks my husband and son to death!

I stand corrected -

Dog and cat dander is what is most responsible for human allergies --but saliva and urine also can contribute.

And - I certainly agree with a recent poster who mentioned that frequent bathing can help a lot. I have read this often.

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned yet -- is the fact that Yorkies are small - this should help keep irritants down to a minimum ---- a large dog would probably cause more problems than a very small dog. Dander alone could be many times greater in a large dog compared to a little Yorkie.

Carol Jean

One of the least allergenic dogs is the Bichon - I have one and can vouch for this. I don't have allergies, but many members in my family do, and my bichon has never caused any of them any problems. Now that saliva has been mentioned --- it was probably my Yorkie pup's licking my girlfriend's hands that made them itch. But, other than this, he didn't seem to cause her any problems.

Yorkies have Hair, like us :D sort of. (no fur)

My dad is allergic to dog dandruff, or something like that, but he never seems to cough or sneeze while with our doggy.

Yorkies are one of the most allergic friendly dogs.

My kids and I have asthma and all sorts of allergies. That is one of the main reasons we originally got a Yorkshire Terrier over 30 years ago. We have had them ever since....they do not have FUR they have HAIR as we do. So no dander, fur or allergies. We have never had any problem.

my family has a lot of allergies, but though they are allergic to most dogs, we've had no problems with the Yorkies or my Dad's snauzer. BUT - she needs to be tested, and then I'd "borrow" a Yorkie or get one of your friends who has one to come spend the night and let it stay pretty close to MOM. Yorkies don't have the shedding or the dander that most dogs do, but it would not be good to get a pup of any breed and then find out you can't have it. Allergies can be very expensive... Sorry, but you may have to wait until you have your own place.

Im sorry but i KNOW what im talking about..maybe you need to do some more research!!

Lol, read her other post. Thanks guys for all your help. I have another question. Is it possible for someone to have a Yorkie with no symptoms of allergies at all? My mom has VERY minor allergies, and does that mean that her chances of not being affected by a Yorkie are very slim? I sure hope so. Anyway, please keep posting your information. Every post is another bit of information that can help in me getting a dog. Once again, thanks so much for all of ya'll's help. Thanks,

The UYC numba one fan!

as i said before, just because you test positive for dog allergies does not necessarily mean you will be allergic to all dogs. it just means the POTENTIAL for an allergic reaction to occur is there.

you and your mom should really consult the allergist about this issue if you want accurate medical advice.

I agree, I think that people should definetly educate themselves before they say no way to something. My son is extremely alergic to cats, mold, dust, you name it. But I did my research, and now I have a yorkie, and one more on the way, and my son is fine with it. He has abolutely no symptoms at all. Not that your mom won't. Because there is never any gaurantee. But I do know that yorkie's don't really shed at all. And that would not cause the allergy anyway, and she said before, it is from the glands. Just look up some info online, or from some "GOOD" breaders, and I am sure they could give you some helpful info. And I think your mom would appreciate the fact that you are really trying to educate yourself. Good luck!