Dog allergy in 8mth old- a?

kaydark

DH wants me to ask Bumpies. My 8 month old is allergic to our dog. He breaks out in a rash when the dog licks him or he touches the dog or he crawls on the carpet. It goes away after a few hours of no contact. The nurse in the pedi's office said the allergy will just get worse with continued contact and possibly turn into breathing problems by 2 years old. Her suggestion was to remove the allergen: our dog   DH doesnt think the allergy is guaranteed to get worse. He wants to know if anyone here is dealt with a child allergic to a pet and if the allergy went away with continues exposure or if it just got worse. Looking for some experiences from others. We are heartbroken at the possibility of finding a new home for our furbaby. Thanks for any info. Oh, and I plan to bring it up at LOs 9 month check up.

JOEBunny

I am allergic to dogs.  I grew up with one (3 actually, but one at a time for the most part).  My experience has been that removing the allergen, especially at 8 months, when my doctor says that enviromental allergies are still developing and unlikely, is a mistake. 

My mother took me to an allergist.  I had shot for many years.  She kept the house very clean, the dog was only allowed in the family room (where we spent most of our awake time) and was put in the basement to sleep, so my exposure was only about 1/2 what it would have been if it had been allowed all over the house. 

I do not have a dog now, but we plan to get one when the kids are older.  I had a rabbit for 13 years.  I think having a pet far outweighs the burden, if you take minimal precautions.  I cannot live with a cat because they cannot be contained.