Help! I think that I may be allergic to my pup. Toby is a 6 month old Cocker Spaniel and for the past few months I have suffered on and off with nettle rash on my legs, feet and hands. Have been to the GP and he thinks it is the dog, rather than a food-related allergy as the rash tends to come only when I am at home and with the dog.

Is there anything that I can do to stop this (rather than just taking antihistamines myself - I'm not sure I want to be taking them for the lifetime of my dog). I have been hoovering more frequently, grooming him outside and bathing him weekly, but this does not seem to have made any difference. I have seen pet shampoos for allergic owners - are they any good??

I think there is a homeopathic remedy available from Ainsworths Pharmacy that is supposed to help with allergies to dogs....I think anyway....they have a web-site where you could find out....

Hi, there are also wet wipes that you rub over your dog to reduce the allergic effect. I have posted about it before but have mislaid the company name etc, I have done a site search and cant find it - can you Leigh? They are supposed to be quite good.

Petal Cleanse Hope this was it WL? Leigh

Yep Leigh, that was it, thanks.

Hi

My husband is allergic to dogs and cats. We have three chocolate Labs. He comes up with lumps when he has alot of contact with the girls and he wheezes when he comes in contact with cats.He will always wash his hands after he has been playing and giving lots of fuss and this seems to minimize the effects.He has found that he has improved, the longer he has been exposed to living with dogs.(He hasn't lived with dogs for at least 10-15 years since he laft home) They do say you start to gain natural imunity the more you are exposed to the problem.

He went to see a doc about the allergy to cats as this is far worsre that the dog allergy. They could give treatment which is injections over a few months under hospitalisation, but there could be a possibilty if you have a severe reaction that you could die ! hence we are not going to get a cat !!

Thank you for all your replies.

I have just ordered some Petal Cleanse - will keep you updated.

Helen

Although it looks like it might be your dog, you say the doctor has only said he "thinks" it is the dog. Has he not offered any allergy tests?

I would go back to the doctor and ask to be referred to a skin specialist who can arrange for spot tests to determine if it is an allergy or not and if it is, what the likely cause is. People make assumptions that because something new has come into a house then that must be the cause of a simultaneous re-action. Often true of course - but not always. You can suddenly develop an allergy to something you have used for years.

Do you have to do all the grooming or is there someone else who can help? At six months - your Cocker still has to grow quite a bit and will get masses more coat. You need to know just what it is your allergic to to determine how you should groom /trim him long term.

I do hope you manage to tie down what is going on.

Regards

Pam n two mad Cockers