Allergic to Dogs

Could Relative Honestly be Allergic to Dogs?

I have a question about allergic reactions to dogs as this issue has caused a rift in my family. My 15-year-old niece has recently complained that she is allergic to my dogs. I was recently at our family cottage for ten days with my two dogs. She arrived three days after my departure and apparently had no allergic symptoms.

However, I was just at an outside family barbecue where my dogs were running around, and although my niece had no physical contact with them, she complained of runny nose and coughing within 15 minutes of my arrival. Is it possible to have a reaction this quickly outside in the presence of dogs, yet have no reaction inside a home where dogs have recently spent a great deal of time?

There has been no third party testing and confirmation that there is, in fact, an allergy. Her parents have refused to do this. By the tone of this question, I am sure you can surmise that I believe the allergy is "an act" to prevent me from attending our family cottage with my dogs since the family my niece belongs to does not like animals.

~~ Carol

Expert Reply

Hello Carol,

I'm not an expert on allergies. That is something only the sufferer and a physician can determine.

That said, sometimes people will use allergies as an excuse not to be around a dog because they are afraid or uncomfortable with it for some other reason. To them, the allergy excuse seems like a more polite way to deal with the situation rather than admitting they simply don't want to be around the animal.

Are you sure your niece had no reaction at the cottage? There's a possibility she did, but the family might not have made the connection until she was around the dogs at the picnic again. They might have also felt reluctant to say anything to you at first because they didn't want to create any bad feelings.

It may be better to limit bringing your dogs to family functions, just to keep peace in the family. If you do take them to the cottage, be sure to do a very thorough vacuuming before you leave to gather loose fur and dander from the floor, furniture and curtains. This is a courtesy for those who aren't used to finding dog hair in their living space, and it will help greatly if there is truly an allergy in play.

Best wishes for an amicable solution~~ Kelly