Dog Dander Allergy
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What is Dog Dander Allergy Test
About 10 – 15 % of the population is allergic to dog dander. The Dog dander is airborne and it may be hard to get rid of it, if it settles on the surfaces of clothing, bedsheets, pillows, linen, furniture, carpets, etc. Our immune system often mistakes common things for harmful substances and starts producing antibodies to combat them, causing more harm than good. Similar is the case with dog dander (Dogs’ dead skin, fur, saliva, and urine), where our immune system takes it as a severe allergen and starts producing antibodies against it.
A dog dander allergy test measures the allergy-causing antibodies (IgE) produced by our body in response to contact with dogs’ dander.
Symptoms of Dog Dander Allergy
A Dog dander allergy test is indicated when individuals experience the following symptoms after coming in contact with a Dog dander:
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Sneezing
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Itching or hives
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Inflammation of the skin on areas
Where a dog has licked or scratched
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Congestion
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Trouble breathing or wheezing
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Light-headedness
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Rapid pulse
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Swollen throat
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Low Blood pressure
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Loss of consciousness
Test preparation
A dog dander allergy can be tested in two ways.
- Blood test – A healthcare provider will take a few millilitres of your blood sample by inserting a small needle into a vein in your arm and test it for IgE antibodies.
- Skin prick test – A healthcare provider will clean the test area with alcohol or iodine. It is usually your forearm or upper back region. The allergen is now applied to your skin, and the skin is lightly scratched to allow the allergen to come into contact with your body fluids.
Please tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any medicines such as anti-allergy or anti-histamines, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory, etc., before taking the above tests.
Interpretation of test results:
An allergy is typically indicated by a high level of IgE antibodies specific to dog dander.
Interpretation of results
| Class | Levels of specific IgE – Kilo Units per Litre (kU/L) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | < 0.10 | Negative |
| 0/1 | 0.10 – 0.31 | Low / Equivocal |
| 1 | 0.32 – 0.55 | Low |
| 2 | 0.56 – 1.40 | Moderate |
| 3 | 1.41 – 3.90 | High |
| 4 | 3.91 – 19.0 | Very High |
| 5 | 19.01 – 100.0 | Very High |
| 6 | ≥ 100 | Very High |
Deviations from the normal ranges:
- The presence of IgE antibodies in serum increases the risk of developing an allergic illness.
- A higher total IgE level is frequently a symptom of allergies, including dog dander allergy.
FAQ on Dog Dander Allergy
The test results for dog dander allergy are usually available within 4 – 6 working days after the sample collection. However, it could also take a little longer at times.
No, there are no potential risks to dog dander allergy tests. It is a simple blood test and may involve negligible risks such as feeling a slight sting or bruise at the site of sample collection. It usually resolves within a few minutes to a couple of hours. Rarely, the site can become infected.
No, you need not fast before undergoing a dog dander allergy test. It is a simple blood test that can be done at any time of the day.
Here are some precautions to take if you are allergic to dogs.
Keep a safe distance from dogs
If you have dogs at home, please move them out or give them away to a pet house or a friend who is not allergic to dogs or their dander
Use your medication regularly
Be cautious of visitors who own dogs
It is possible but not likely to outgrow a pet allergy. Even if the specific allergy goes away, it can again come back later on in life if the person is exposed to that particular allergen. Moreover, keeping pets for longer periods of time to acclimatize to them will only worsen allergy symptoms.
Dog Dander Allergy
