How to Care for a Child With Dog Allergies

Pet allergies are a fact of life. As many as 30 percent of people with allergies are allergic to dogs or cats. For a child, having dog allergies can be especially difficult. Parks and playgrounds are supposed to be inviting places for children to play. Unfortunately, for allergic kids, parks and playgrounds are also common places for dog walking and exercising. It’s not just parks, either. Visiting friends’ homes, going to school or walking down the street are all ways an allergic child can come into contact with dogs. Caring for a child with dog allergies requires extra care and diligence.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Antihistamines
• Emergency plan and medications if needed

1. Isolate and diagnose the dog allergy. Work with a pediatrician or pediatric allergist to diagnose the allergy and develop a care/treatment plan. Determine the steps to be taken in the event of exposure or allergic emergency.
2. Bid Fido farewell if the doctor suggests it. He may be loved, but he needs to move on if he is posing a health threat. The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid all contact with the allergen that triggers it.
3. Keep a stock of emergency medications and carry them when out.
4. Notify everyone that cares for or has responsibility for the child. School, child care providers, babysitters, camp counselors, coaches, grandparents, etc. If the child requires emergency medication, be sure to provide it and care instructions to anyone who might need to administer it.
5. Always ask if there are dogs before allowing your child to visit a home.
6. Take over holiday hosting duties. Rather than risking your child’s health (or an argument with relatives about their dogs), just have everyone come to your house. It protects your child and gives you a great excuse for deep cleaning the house.
7. Be proactive. Be alert about dogs in your surroundings and teach your child to avoid creating a scene. A dog owner may think the child is afraid of being harmed by aggression rather than an allergic reaction. If a dog owner approaches when the child retreats, it’s perfectly reasonable to say that she has allergies and wants to keep her distance. Most responsible pet owners will make an effort to keep their dog at a safe distance.

Tips & Warnings

• Being tested for asthma may also be a good idea. Many people with pet allergies are also asthmatic.
• Be sure you are trained on and confident with using emergency medications. A true emergency is no time to get cold feet.