Grandchildren allergic to our dog

[Kiksythlass]

Hi had the grandchildren over and mostly fine till bedtime. The clean sheets washed with our clothes brought on a terrible allergic reaction. Weeping puffy eyes, coughing and scratching. Do I need to get a separate washing machine? Is there some kind of cleaner I could use? Hypoallergenic washing powder?? Please help!

Are you sure they are allergic to your dog. Could it be the washing powder or dust mites in the mattress.

It sounds like an allergy to something in the beds -washing powder? Mattress materials (horsehair, latex?) rather than dogs.

DS is allergic to cats. I grew up on a farm and all my family have cats. DS takes a regular antihistamine and my Mum doesn't let the cat in his bedroom when we visit (bedroom door is kept shut) and he stays away from the cats at other places. Do your grandchildren have eczema? If that is well controlled then the likelihood of developing more environmental allergies is reduced.

In your situation I'd wash their bedding separate to clothing, use a non-biological powder, and make sure the bedroom has no traces of dog (clean carpets or probably easier have hard floors that can be washed, wet dust woodwork etc).

If they were allergic to the dog, you would probably see a reaction when they were in areas in the house where the dog has been or even with the clothes you are wearing if you have been handling the dog rather than in bed. What you are describing is far more likely to be a reaction to washing powder or detergent not being adequately rinsed out of the sheets or to dust mites in the mattress. Try washing bedding on a long rinse cycle with half recommended amount of hypoallergenic detergent. Also strip the beds and vacuum the mattress thoroughly before remaking it.

I’d check your fabric softener, washing powder/liquid and if you have feather pillows swap them for new synthetic ones.

My kids reacted to the curtains at DMs house, basically they were dust traps/dust mite traps.

Thankyou

Thank you very helpful

Regardless of whether it's the dog, if the reaction is at night then maybe a purifer might help.

We have one in our guest room because my brother is allergic to the dog - though mainly reacts overnight as well, even though the dog's not in the room. I think it's more to do with being shut into the room without much fresh air?

Anyway, we have this and he says it makes all the difference: smile.amazon.co.uk/Levoit-Purifiers-Filtration-Eliminator-LV-H132/dp/B071D58ZY5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=14RJP3QWAV291&keywords=air+purifier&qid=1661262684&sprefix=ai%2Caps%2C1554&sr=8-3

Sounds like allergic reaction to washing powder rather than dog. Non Bio detergent, no fabric softener, wash on high temp(to kill dust mites) is what we do with dc with allergies.

Have they ever had a similar reaction at home? What detergent are you using and what brand does their parent use?

I'm extremely allergic to dogs (saliva).
I can stay in home with dogs but not if they come into the bedroom.

I do however have a marked sensitivity to perfumed washing powders and fabric conditioners. They really make me ill. Also room fragrances (plug in and solid) really make me poorly.

For washing I use fairy non bio but only the powder not the capsules as even they are too perfumed.

I use e-cover fabric conditioner as it's fragrance free.

I think it's more likely if your granddaughter has an allergy to dogs that she also has a sensitivity to other antigens. Namely the highly fragranced washing liquids.

Try to use unscented and non biological if possible.
Wipe surfaces with unscented dettol clear spray. And be as dust free as possible in her sleeping room. Air the room too.

She should be fine.

What sort of pillow/duvet is it?

I should add I can only use synthetic pillows and duvet with cotton covers. Anything with feathers or horsehair makes me very allergic. Once I'm triggered I have to leave as I can't get it under control.

I can't use feather pillows or down/feather duvets or I get a bad reaction. Also no scented washing powder and no fabric conditioner at all (fabric conditioner doesn't really do anything as far as I can tell, at least I've never felt the lack of it). The big brands that say they are 'skin kind' or 'gentle' are the worst IMO (I'm looking at you Fairy). Things that work for me are M&S own brand colour (not whites), Filetti, TruEarth or Earth Breeze (detergent sheets).

I agree with others that if they were in contact with the dog through the day and didn't react then it probably isn't the dog causing a problem.

Thanks very helpful and encouraging