Ugh, allergic to new puppy!

[dr.girlfriend]

Not sure why...I had dogs before and never had a reaction to them, but I'm definitely allergic to the new pup.  Especially on weekends and Mondays when I work from home I'm getting very stuffed up and sneezy/throat-itchy.  There's no way I'm going to stop with the puppy-nuzzles, so is there anything else I can do?  Zyrtec is helping, but any special doggie shampoos or stuff like that to reduce the allergens?

[tripleshot]

You can see a doctor and get allergy shots. I had a lot of environmental allergies (trees, mold, etc) and got weekly shots for a while that made them go away. I saw an ENT.

[niemand88f]

They make wipes you can wipe your dog with- not sure how effective they are. One of the big things is vacuuming very frequently if you have carpet, wash bedding frequently (yours and the dog's). Get an air filter with a HEPA filter.

Hope you can figure this out!

[grover]

We tore out the carpeting for laminate. He doesn't sleep in our bedroom as that makes my allergies worse (though when he's not feeling well I definitely break this rule), and I get allergy shots in addition to taking an Allegra daily. I only get hives from his saliva, so I taught him not to lick me. It's gotten better over the past year.

[patches31709]

I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I have read that you get used to the dander of your own pets, so hopefully your symptoms get better over time.

[dr.girlfriend]

Thanks everyone! I have hardwood throughout with only a few area rugs, so I think I'm good on that front. I'll try to stop sticking my face in her neck and inhaling, but...puppy! lol. She's also being moved off our pillows to the foot of the bed, and will likely transition to DS's bed or to a doggie bed on the floor in one of our rooms now that she's learned to use the dog doors and can take herself out in the night if needed. I also bought a puppy shampoo and will be giving her her first bath this weekend...they told me not to do it for x days after she was spayed, and I didn't remember how many they said, so I just haven't done it, but it's been a month so we're probably more than good on that count. ;-) I like the idea that I'll adjust to her dander, hoping that's true as well.

[pitterwoo]

I think there's a good chance you'll adjust. I remember having some issues when I first got my dog but I want to say within 6 months that stopped.