Am I allergic to my boxer?

[naugget]

i've recently noticed that everytime i play with my boxer, my skin will start to itch and little red welts will appear. this has also happened with my friend too who was playing with my boxer. i give him sentinel (heartworm/flea in one) once a month, but i was just curious if this has happened to anyone else before? i dont care if im allergic to him but i'd like to know what causes these itchy welts... maybe i should change up his heartworm guard/flea meds? thanks

- eric

 

[darwinsmom]

I am mildly allergic to my boxer. I think it is his saliva and seems to affect my face and neck most (yes, I let him kiss and lick me). For me it is a mild itch and some temporary redness. Washing with soap and water after contact seems to help. I doubt it is the Sentinel.

-Karlyn

 

[Peppermint]

DH is also allergic. He gets the itchy/red skin welts when our puppy licks him also.

 

[JSNseki]

Yeah, a friend of mine gets all itchy when my dog licks her...it has something to do with the saliva

 

[dorimama]

I am allergic to my boxer. I get little red hives on my skin where it comes in contact with her fur. I am not allergic to most other dogs but I think because her fur is so short and fine it gets under my skin and causes a reaction. Usually I am a bit itchy, but the hives typically go away within an hour or so. It certainly doesn't stop me from snuggling with her!

If you want to limit the reaction you have to your dog, keep contact away from sensitive areas (face, neck, arms etc..) I don't find that my reaction is severe enough to warrant this, but it is certanly an option if you are having problems.

I know a few other people who are not typically allergic to dogs but that have reactions to boxers (and other very short haired breeds) after contact...I personally wouldn't be too worried.

 

[Josue]

The EXACT same thing happens to me. I was upset about this at 1st, because I didn't know why it was happening? I grew up with 2 boxers, and have been around TONS of dogs my whole life, and it's never happened before. Here are some pics I took...

Hopefully it'll go away after time, or else I'll see an allergist and maybe get some meds for this. Definately NOT getting rid of Tyson over this, but it IS kind of a buzzkill that this happens after playtime, cause we both LOVE playtime!! LOL

 

[Althea]

I *used* to be allergic to my boxer, but over the years, it lessened. Not sure why. But I've always been allergic to animals...I just never let it stop me.

 

[dbetz]

Duke too will make us itch after we play - but that's a sign he needs a bath or at least wiped down with a wet towel and then the problem is solved for a while. Never happens with Rudy. Good Luck.

 

[Gatorblu]

I see you live in FL. I grew up there. My Dad used to have about 5 acres of property and most of its was heavily wooded. His dogs would have free reign of the property. If a dog comes in contact with poison ivy, because of their coats it generally will not affect them because it never actually touches their skin. However the oil from the plant is still on their fur and when you pet them, you break out. If no other dogs than your own, make you break out, this could be a possiblity. Especially if someone else broke out too. I would give your pup a bath and check out where you puppy is playing to see if you see any poison ivy or poison oak.

 

[naugget]

i get the same/similar reactions as Josue's pictures show. i love my dog way too much to even think about giving him to someone else haha, but i was just curious if it was something to worry about or common among other boxer owners. i guess i dont have much to worry about since i see a handful of owners who have the same effect :]

also, a buddy of mine told me to rub lotion on his fur because they tend to get really dry skin and that's prob. what causes the itching/red welts on contact with me. do you guys apply lotion to your boxer, if so what kind?