Are good air purifiers really going to cut down on the hair and dander?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Turns out that ive become allergic to my F1b labradoodle.It took time as i know all that stuff about owning one for a year to really find out so they can go through their fur changes and becoming full grown ect.Dont worry im not giving her up for anything.Thats not an option.I hate my breeder though as she is a liar.There are too many labradoodle breeders out there calling their line hypoallergenic.When in fact they are as hypoallergenic as a regular lab.I clean my house like a hospital ect.I was wondering if a decent air purifier would be my saving grace.Ive read all about them and know which ones to buy but i havent heard from any dog owners if they really help or do they just blow the hair and dander around.I need help with this.I have had broncitis twice in the last 4 months and the doctor said dust,dander,hair ect can help triger broncitis.Thanks.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I have mixed feelings about room air filters. I have allergies too although not to Tara. But I do react to "things" that come into the house on her coat-pollens, dust, mold, etc.  I did much research on room air filters and in the end decided to go with a filter in the duct work of our house central heating system for the main portion of the house and I got a small room air filter for the bedroom.

 

A filter does not eliminate the need to keep your house hospital clean. If you don't then they will just blow the allergens back up into the air. They even state in their instructions to clean the room thoroughly prior to starting them up for the first time.But I do think that they can help reduce the allergen levels depending on the quality of the unit and how often you run it and at what speed.

 

The big downfall for me is the noise level. They all create a substantial amount of noise when they are operating at their peak (high) which is where they need to be to really be affective. I can't run the unit in the bedroom during the night due to the noise level so I run before I go to bed and then shut it down for the night. But if I  have a bad day I can go in there and crank it on high and keep the door shut to the rest of the house and it really does help reduce my symptoms.

 

There are other methods to reduce the allergen levels in your house. I think the thing that help me the most was removing the carpets.  They can trap a lot of allergens and then any time a dog runs through the room up they fly!!

 

Are you certain you are allergic to your doodle's dander? Many people are allergic to dog saliva as well. And many people who have allergies are allergic to multiple substances.  Dog dander can exacerbate dust mite allergen levels too which is a very common allergy.

 

I would look at a filter as part of a multifaceted solution to reducing your allergy symptoms but it will not be a sole solution.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

This was really helpful. I just bought one myself and can't wait to give it a try.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

If you haven't already done so I would have a proper allergy screening carried out at a hospital or clinic which specializes in this.  Bronchitis may have been caused by allergies but also may not.  

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

My cousin is allergic to seasonal allergies and her 3 cats. They have a couple bigger ones and they seem to help her especially in her bedroom. Tough call but I'm sorry to hear that you had this happen. I'm also allergic to cats and dogs and have both my cat is what sets me off the most. Chloe has hair that just flies off her when she jumps around nothing major, but impossible to keep clean.

Good luck with your choice and I would also verify the exact cause with the Dr. Good plan with getting rid of the carpet!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It has been a long time, but when I worked with cats, those allergic but loved cats would bathe the cats more often than those who were not allergic.  It keeps the danger down.  

[Jennie & Emma]

Speaking as the mother of two kids with asthma/multiple allergies (but luckily not to dogs) here are some general things (in addition to what has already been mentioned) that you can do that may help.  You have already gotten rid of carpeting which is major.

1. Buy a vacumn cleaner with a HEPA filter.  If you don't have a Hepa filter, then every time you vacumn you are just making the allergens airborn.

2. Wear a dust mask (can buy them @ Home Depot) when you vacumn or better yet if someone else can vacumn and you leave the house.

3. This may be a hard one, don't let the dog in your bedroom and especially not on your bed.  This way you have one room in the house that can be a sanctuary away from the allergens.

4. Try to become unscented.  Use unscented laundry detergent, no bounce fabric sheets, and especially no Febreeze, no plug in things.  For someone who has a reactive airway (history of bronchitis) you could have small sensitivities to these things that make you more reactive to the dog dander.

5. Take your shoes off as soon as you enter the house so that you aren't tracking outside allergens in.

6. Change your furnace filter frequently and use a high quality air filter, they cost more but in my opinion are worth it.  Filtrete makes some filters specifically for allergy sufferers.

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

BTW--nice to see you out there again, Jerod. LTNS

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Don't want to put words into Joanne's mouth, but I think it stands for Long Time--No See!

It's good to see you active again, Jared!

And I love the pix of Dakota on your page. She is beautiful. And she looks more doodley than I expected from her puppy photos--I thought she would look more like a golden retriever!

I don't have any wisdom on the allergy front. Cosmo is a multi-gen ALD, but he is going through his coat change and shedding quite a bit. I am not allergic to _him_ . I can bury my face in his coat, have him lick me, etc., and no sneezing, hives, red eyes, itching, etc. But I do get a reaction to the loose fur lying around. Maybe it's because it gets mixed with dust, etc.

I've had allergies to animal dander, dust, and down all my life. As I'm getting older, I am developing what seem to be pollen allergies.

We use the Filtrete allergy-rated filters on our central heat/air conditioning system, and we have a Bissell Healthy Home vacuum cleaner. We use All Free & Clear laundry detergent with no fabric softeners or laundry sheets, and Dove unscented bath soap.

Best of luck with this!