If you're a dog owner who is allergic to your furry friend, you may be searching for ways to minimize the symptoms. The pleasures of sharing your life with a dog are legion, and managing an allergy is, for most pet parents, a small price to pay. Here are a few tips for dealing with a dog allergy, from prescription and over-the-counter medications to easy at-home solutions.

A Pet Owner's Guide to Dealing With a Dog Allergy

1. Visit Your Doctor

Your doctor can discuss various ways to manage your allergy. They might suggest immunotherapy shots, which eliminate pet allergies in 80% of patients, or prescription medications like steroidal sprays or powerful antihistamines. They can also advise you on products readily available at the pharmacy that may alleviate symptoms, such as OTC antihistamines and decongestants.

2. Keep Your Home Clean

People who are allergic to dogs experience symptoms from exposure to the pet's dander. As any owner knows, having a dog that sheds often means that you'll have to deal with a lot of fur around the home. 

The best way to minimize dander is to keep up on housekeeping: vacuum daily, dust surfaces a few times a week, and change HVAC filters every month. Also, consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to help decrease the amount of dander in the air; HEPA filters generally need to be changed every six months or so.

3. Bathe Your Dog Regularly

Shedding occurs when a dog's skin rids itself of dead cells and fur to make room for new, healthier growth. For a dog owner, this can mean major allergy flareups. 

Bathing your dog on a regular basis—ideally, once a week—will help get rid of dead skin and hair and result in less shedding around the house. Use a moisturizing de-shedding shampoo, and brush the dog thoroughly after drying them off. If your allergies are severe, this is a job best left to a professional groomer.

When you need prescription or OTC medications to manage your dog allergy, visit Hickman's Pharmacy in Princeton, WV. They've served customers throughout southern West Virginia since 1947. They provide new prescriptions and refills to alleviate your symptoms and allow you to enjoy the time you spend with your furry friend. Call (304) 425-2188 to ask about their available products, or visit them online to learn more about their services.