Question:
My 5 year old duaghter has been breaking out in a bad rash since she was
one year old every year from November thru April. Last year in March were
finnaly refered to an Allergy Specialist where she was given the skin prick
test. She tested positive to milk, eggs, wheat and all fur bearing pets. We
immediatly (with saddnes) sent our dog to my wifes grandparents to live.
Withdrew all foods containing the offensive products, and I cleaned the house
from to to bottom including washing all drapes, steam cleaning carpet, and vac
furniture. Installed allergy filters in furnace. Within a week her symptoms
dissapeared. We were told to reintroduce foods, which we did with no adverse
affect. We then assumed it was the dog. After having an unseasonably warm
November and December she has developed the rash again. We live in WV with
moderately cold weather and keep her room humidified.
Can anyone tell me if they have had a reaction to dogs in such a way as
described above. Any replies would be appreciated
Answer:
Just out of curiousity, what part of WV do you live in? I grew up in the
Ohio Valley, and had endless skin problems, most of them cold-weather
related (dry skin runs in my family, but I had unexplained rashes on and
off for 16 years. I was never tested for allergies.) I moved to Arizona
three years ago, and haven't had a spec of trouble since. I don't know if
it was the weather, or something in the water... the Ohio valley is
notorious for industrial pollution and all that fun stuff. :-) Do you think it is possible that your daughter is reacting to the
forced-air furnace? I react to all natural-gas forced-air-furnaces.
New, old, filtered, unfiltered. I react terribly, not only with
physical problems including psoriasis but emotionally as well--
depression, irritability, anxiety, hyper-activity/attention deficit
disorder & etc.
The best way to determine whether this might be so is to remove her to
an environment where the heating is electric or hot water/steam (and NO
gas appliances. If there is no immediate relief then continue
experiment for a four-day(minimum) period.
Better yet, if you are fortunate enough to have a warm spell, then shut
the furnace off (including the circulating fan which runs continually.
Remember, NO gas appliances and that includes the stove. Observe over
the day.
Don't tell her what you are doing but watch her reactions and ask her
how she is feeling.
If it is the furnace, you should observe a dramatic change in her
health and in her disposition. You may see the change rather quickly--
minutes or hours.
I have some links that may be useful if there is indeed a connection
with the furnace heating.
The dog is still not eliminated, she may have multiple reactions and
just tested positive for dog and the others were false negatives or
not tested for. Since this occurs in winter months, what about winter
clothing/bedding? Do you bring out the down comforter, jackets, etc?
What about how the clothing & bedding is stored. Did you bring out
bedding or clothing from the back of the closet that had not been
washed since the dog left? Any mouse, cockroach, mold, mothball etc
contamination possible during storage? How are you monitoring
humidity? With a hygrometer or guessing? Many times room humidifiers
don't do much if air circulation throughout the house is good. Have
you changed detergents. Ones with enzymes are prone to cause
reactions in people who have allergy problems - insidious because you
can use them several years before reacting. I have a reaction to dog among many other things. It isn't seasonal
but the more time a dog spends in the house the worse I react when I
spend any time there. Is the dog indoors more in the winter or much
at all ?
Had allergy test (skin test) at age 4 1/2. Dogs were the main reaction. As said
before, dog left next day with massive cleaning of house including washing of
all bedding and drapes, allergy mattress covers, new pillows with allergy
covers, steam cleaning of carpet. Symptoms dissapeared, but weather also turned
warm. I am leaning toward some reaction toward odorant in natural gas used in
forced air furnace, stove. Doctor said was Contact Dermatitis and Eczema with
rash appearing on all parts of body.
But take her to visit grandparents in summer (in house), with her being around
3 dogs and 2 cats and she has no reaction.
