Rash Causes: Allergic to dogs?
Medically Reviewed by
- Steven Rubinstein, M.D.
Question
I often have a light rash after playing with my dog. Are allergic reactions to dogs from their fur, their saliva or something else?
Answer
Allergic reactions to dogs can be from anything that comes off or out of a dog. Saliva and the skin that is shed with the fur (also called dander) are the most allergenic parts of both dogs and cats. Fur/hair itself is too large to cause actual reactions.
Dogs that shed lose more dander and are therefore more allergenic. So are dogs that drool a lot. Urine can also be quite allergenic, especially if it stays in carpet for a while. Rinsing/washing your skin that has been exposed to animals as soon as you're done playing with the animal is helpful.