Question by ? Alice ?: Are Blood Tests Always Right at Determining Allergies?
I recently had a blood test which stated I was allergic to cats, dogs and grass.
I know for a fact that grass doesn’t bother me, and I’m only allergic to some dogs.
I break out in really bad, red, itchy rashes around guinea pigs and horses, and become really sneezy. Also, lots of skin products give me a big itchy rash, and sunblock, and plastic carrier bags do the same.

Is it possible that the blood test was wrong?

Best answer:

Answer by MisMischievous
Well with the animals, I know that it can vary from species to species since it’s only the animals dander that you are actually allergic to and some produce less dander than others. Even those that have more, if they are groomed alot, it will reduce the amount present so that they bother those that are allergic less. The grass is probably due to something that the plant expels like pollen too and if that is so, it would only be at certain times. It might very well be for certain varieties too and that the test is just yielding an “overall” result. You would have to ask your doctor these specifics.
False-Positive. Sure it might be possible. Ask the doc about that too. You already seem to know more about your allergies than they do!

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Question by ? Alice ?: Are Blood Tests Always Right at Determining Allergies?
I recently had a blood test which stated I was allergic to cats, dogs and grass.
I know for a fact that grass doesn’t bother me, and I’m only allergic to some dogs.
I break out in really bad, red, itchy rashes around guinea pigs and horses, and become really sneezy. Also, lots of skin products give me a big itchy rash, and sunblock, and plastic carrier bags do the same.

Is it possible that the blood test was wrong?

Best answer:

Answer by MisMischievous
Well with the animals, I know that it can vary from species to species since it’s only the animals dander that you are actually allergic to and some produce less dander than others. Even those that have more, if they are groomed alot, it will reduce the amount present so that they bother those that are allergic less. The grass is probably due to something that the plant expels like pollen too and if that is so, it would only be at certain times. It might very well be for certain varieties too and that the test is just yielding an “overall” result. You would have to ask your doctor these specifics.
False-Positive. Sure it might be possible. Ask the doc about that too. You already seem to know more about your allergies than they do!

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by ? Alice ?: Are Blood Tests Always Right at Determining Allergies?
I recently had a blood test which stated I was allergic to cats, dogs and grass.
I know for a fact that grass doesn’t bother me, and I’m only allergic to some dogs.
I break out in really bad, red, itchy rashes around guinea pigs and horses, and become really sneezy. Also, lots of skin products give me a big itchy rash, and sunblock, and plastic carrier bags do the same.

Is it possible that the blood test was wrong?

Best answer:

Answer by MisMischievous
Well with the animals, I know that it can vary from species to species since it’s only the animals dander that you are actually allergic to and some produce less dander than others. Even those that have more, if they are groomed alot, it will reduce the amount present so that they bother those that are allergic less. The grass is probably due to something that the plant expels like pollen too and if that is so, it would only be at certain times. It might very well be for certain varieties too and that the test is just yielding an “overall” result. You would have to ask your doctor these specifics.
False-Positive. Sure it might be possible. Ask the doc about that too. You already seem to know more about your allergies than they do!

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Reeny: Dog has recurring hotspots always 3 days after getting bathed. Help.?
My dog has recurring hotspots that come three days after being bathed. We have tried the following: changing shampoos to non-irritating from the vet, shaving the area so it can air out, treating the area immediately after getting groomed with antiseptic spray, allergy pills for a month prior to being groomed, making sure he is completly dry, getting rid of the carpet in our family room, washing him ourselves rather than taking him the groomer, and we have changed vets for another diagnosis. He is on grain free food (Innova EVO).

This first started in April. He has been getting a hotspot 3 days after he is bathed/groomed. So far, he has had 3 on his tail and right now (after being groomed Saturday) he has 1 on his leg. He has been treated with cortizone shots, allergy pills, shaving the area, steriods, and antiseptic/steriodal spray….all which do help and make it go away. I just want to find out what is causing this so that it does occur any more.

Next step? Any help or ideas are greatly appreciated.

He is a 4.5 year old St. Bernard. We also have another St. that does not have these issues. It is not related to fleas/ticks. Other than the hotspot, his coat is healthy and shiny. He is healthy other than this.
I should add that the hotspots are itchy to him and they usually are about 2-5 inches in diameter.
The groomer has been drying him completely using a velocity dryer and also he gets a high powered fan put on him. She has made sure he is completely dry.

We have tried three different shampoos, the latest was given to us by our new vet. Organic oatmeal shampoo, regular oatmeal shampoo, and non irritating shampoo from the vet.

I think she brushes him while he is being dried because is always fluffy and knot free.

We have been using this groomer for over six years, and she has been trying everything we suggested because she feels terrible about how he is feeling.

We have also tried giving him a bath ourselves and he still got a hotspot, so I am inclined to think it is not the groomer.

Do you think he could develop an allergy at the age of 4? He has been groomed his whole life every 4-6 weeks and this just started in April.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

Best answer:

Answer by Luca’s Mom
Stop bathing your dog. Instead, brush him regularly and only bath him when you absolutely have to and when you do try an oatmeal bath shampoo.

You are drying out your dog’s skin by bathing him so much. Honestly just stop bathing him for a while.

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Question by Mary O: My dog is 5 yrs. old. She has developed red skin and she scratches constantly. Have tried everything. Thanks?
My 5 year old dog, a female shitz shu, started scratching and her skin turned red and felt hot the touch. We took her to several vets, all of who felt it was an allergy, but no one could figure out what she was allergic to. We changed bedding, food, shampooed carpets. We gave her tablets to prevent fleas, although I have never seen one on her. We also changed the shampoo to a pet shampoo with oatmeal and alovera in it. We give her,on our vets advice, 12.5 mg every 4 hrs, of Benadry.The vet has given her several steriod shots which had no effect at all. We do not have the money to keep taking her to the vet.She’s a beautiful little dog who has been a great companion to my husband who is recovering from a stroke.Does anyone have any idea what may be going on. Thank you, and our dog thanks you.

Best answer:

Answer by Kathleen
Have you checked your laundry soap? Everything gets washed in it; bedding, sheets, blankets, towels, etc.

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