Allergy-sufferers, rest easy

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Doggone Allergies Many people who have allergies still want a pet. By getting a hypoallergic dog or cat, allergic reactions are significantly reduced. Photo by: Lori Fusaro

I never had allergies until I moved to California. I’m mostly allergic to pollens and plants. There is one more thing that gets me sneezing – cats. Yes, this crazy cat lady has developed an allergy to dander. But asking me to get rid of my animals is akin to asking me to cut off my arm, so I take medication. It’s well-worth it if you ask me.

How does one develop allergies so late in life? Could there have been anything that would have helped my immune system resist all the pesky allergens to which I’m allergic? According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “Children who live with dogs and cats are less likely to develop allergies to those animals later in life, but only if the pet is under the same roof while the child is still an infant.” I guess if my dad had gotten his way and owned a family dog sooner, I would be out of the woods. Alas, I was in elementary school when we got Tia, my first dog.

My good friend M’Lissa Fleming has four cats and two sons. And yes, the cats came first. Her boys will most likely be more protected from animal allergies because of her love of cats. The study says “Compared to babies born into cat-free homes, those who grew up with cats were roughly half as likely to be allergic to them as teenagers. Being exposed to pets anytime after the first year of life appeared to have no effect on allergy risk, however, which indicates that timing may be everything when it comes to preventing allergies.” The researchers suspect that early exposure to pet allergens and pet-related bacteria strengthens the immune system, accustoms the body to allergens and helps the child build up a natural immunity.

I know so many folks who are allergic to animals but still want to have a pet in their lives. Enter the hypoallergenic pup. Hypoallergenic breeds have gained more attention as a result of President Barack Obama’s search for a dog for his allergy-suffering daughter, Malia.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), “Approximately 10% of Americans are allergic to dogs, with reactions ranging from itchy eyes to more serious complications such as asthma attacks or constricted breathing. While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, there are many breeds with consistent and predictable coats the AKC suggests for allergy sufferers. These breeds have non-shedding coats, which produce less dander; it’s the skin dander that is attached to pet hair which causes most pet allergies in humans.”

I previously thought that the poodle was the only hypoallergenic pup. Good news for allergy sufferers – I was wrong. There are many canine candidates to choose from and include:

* Bedlington terrier

* Bichon Frise

* Chinese crested

* Irish water spaniel

* Kerry blue terrier

* Maltese

* Poodles (toy, miniature or standard)

* Portuguese water dog

* Schnauzer (miniature, standard or giant)

* Soft-coated Wheaten terrier

* Xoloitzcuintli

“These breeds may be just what the doctor ordered for people with allergies,” says Lisa Peterson, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club. “There are a variety of sizes, energy levels and temperaments, yet all are well-established in their coat type.”

What about cats? I was shocked to learn there are a few of those as well (although just like dogs, no cat is 100% hypoallergenic.) These include:

*Balinese

*Oriental shorthair

*Javanese

*Devon rex

*Cornish rex

*Sphynx

*Siberian

So all animal-loving allergy-suffers can throw caution to the wind and go get a pet.

Lori Fusaro has been voted the best portrait photographer by FoxTV three years in a row. She lives in Culver City with her husband, four cats and dog. Contact: Lori@FusaroPhotography.comFusaroPhotography.com.