Do hypoallergenic dogs really exist?

Much attention has been drawn to President-elect Barack Obama’s promise that a new puppy will have a place in the White House.

Obama’s 10-year-old daughter, Malia, suffers from allergies to dogs. But the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology says there is no truly “hypoallergenic” dog.

It is a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, the group says. Allergies to pets are caused by protein found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine. As all dogs posses these proteins, there is no allergy-free dog.

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms, however, such as working with an allergist on treatment, reducing the allergic person’s exposure to dander, and properly cleaning the environment to reduce allergens.

-- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology