Cause

• Allergies to dog fur are a result of an allergy to the saliva, urine and dander within the hair of a dog. Dog allergies are not necessarily genetic, but a family history of general allergies may make you more prone to developing allergies to animals. The most effective way to determine an allergy to dogs is through skin or blood tests from a physician.
  
  

Symptoms

• According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), people who are allergic to dogs experience symptoms within a few minutes upon contact with a dog or a dog's fur. Severe allergic reactions can take up to 12 hours to develop. Symptoms of a dog fur allergy may include coughing, facial swelling, skin irritation, constant sneezing, running nose, congestion, eye irritation, post nasal drip and breathing difficulties.
  
  

Prevention

• According to the AAAAI, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic type of dog. It is best to determine whether you have an allergy to dogs before getting one. If you suspect that you have an allergy to a dog who already resides in your home, try to keep him outdoors in order to prevent dog fur from tracking inside the house. If this is not feasible, keep your dog away from the bedroom and other areas in which you spend a lot of time in.
  
  

Treatment

• When preventative measures do not help, your doctor may recommend prescription drugs to help alleviate dog fur allergy symptoms. Allergy medications may include decongestants, leukotriene modifiers, antihistamines, cromolyn sodium and corticosteroids. Other types of medications may be used, including saline nasal treatments and allergy shots.
  
  

Considerations

• According to the Mayo Clinic, severe pet allergies can lead to asthma and recurring sinus infections when left untreated. If allergies to dog dander do not improve, you may consider giving your dog to another home. If you do decide to take such a serious measure to improve your allergies, the symptoms will not improve overnight. Kids Health explains that dog dander may remain in the home months after the dog has left the home, so you will likely experience symptoms during this time.