- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Treatments and drugs (1)
- Nasal spray addiction: Is it real?
Prevention (1)
- Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?
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Question
Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?
My son loves dogs, but I think he might be allergic to them. Are there any hypoallergenic dog breeds?
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
While some dogs may cause fewer allergy symptoms than others, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed. Many people think that pet allergies are caused by a dog's or cat's fur, but the real source of pet allergies is often a protein that's in the saliva and urine of dogs and cats that sticks to the dead, dried flakes of skin (dander) from your pet's skin.
Some dog breeds, such as the soft-coated wheaten terrier, or mixed breeds such as the goldendoodle, are marketed as hypoallergenic dogs because they don't shed fur or shed very little. Because these dogs don't shed, the allergy-causing dander that sticks to their fur doesn't get released into the air or onto the floor as much as it would with a shedding dog. While you may have fewer allergy symptoms with a so-called hypoallergenic dog than a shedding dog, no dog breed is hypoallergenic. There's some research suggesting that female dogs and Labrador retrievers might put off lower amounts of dog allergens.
If you're allergic to dogs, but still want to have one, there are some things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms:
- Choose a smaller dog, which will shed less dander than will a larger dog.
- Keep your pet out of your bedroom and other rooms you spend a lot of time in.
- Keep your pet outside, if weather permits.
- Bathe your pet weekly to remove dander from its coat.
- Choose carpet-free flooring, or shampoo your carpet regularly.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifier and vent filters to help reduce airborne pet allergens.
Nasal spray addiction: Is it real?
- Pet allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=236 Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Advice from your allergist — Pet allergy. American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/pets.htm. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- German JA, et al. Environmental control of allergic diseases. American Family Physician. 2002;66:421.
- Takkouche B, et al. Exposure to furry pets and the risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis: A meta-analysis. Allergy. 2008;63:857.
- Simpson A, et al. Pets and the development of allergic sensitization. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2005;5:212.
- Ramadour M, et al. Dog factor differences in Can f 1 allergen production. Allergy. 2005;60:1060.
