Late Onset Cat Allergy?

[alabasterangel]

Is that possible! I know ppl can have food allergies that appear as adults.

Ever since we got the cats I have felt like I was in the beginning stages of a cold.. but with everything else going on I hadn't had time to think about it now.

Actually.. growing up I had 'asthma' that got better when my childhood cat passed away.

Crap.

[sapphire bou]

I have no hard facts, but I can say that when I was a child, cats in the house never bothered me. Now when I go back home to stay with my parents who keep cats in their house, my allergies attack me. But that could also just be the area that they live.

[OrangePixyStix]

I think any allergies have the potential to occur late in age, even seasonal pollen allergies and such. I'm no doctor but I sure it is possible that sensitivities to pet dander can evolve over time, it really sucks if that's what you think is happening.

[pilife]

No doubt allergies can come in later age. When I met D he had none.. now he has quite a few! He blames me.

Nasonex is my savior!

[sitnspin]

I bet that could happen. I get super stuffy if my cats are near my face.

[louietunes]

I heard that if you're allergic to something you only have a small "sensitivity" to it until that one, final push over the edge into full fledged allergic reaction. Then you'll be fully allergic from then on.

For example: My nephew got an upset stomach the first time he had a peanut. The next time, he was swollen with hives. There will not be a next time, because he'd probably go into shock.

So, yeah, these cats may have triggered your full-fledged allergy that only kinda bugged you as a kid.

[lizo11]

Aug 23, 2012 9:19:15 GMT -5 louietunes said:

I heard that if you're allergic to something you only have a small "sensitivity" to it until that one, final push over the edge into full fledged allergic reaction. Then you'll be fully allergic from then on.

For example: My nephew got an upset stomach the first time he had a peanut. The next time, he was swollen with hives. There will not be a nest time, because he'd probably go into shock.
So, yeah, these cats may have triggered your full-fledged allergy that only kinda bugged you as a kid.

The bolded was me as a kid, only with eggs, and I did go into shock when I got the flu shot.

I definitely think they can become more prominent with age.

[ILikeSloths]

Food allergies happened to me after 24 years of no issues, and I grew out of my horrible environmental ones I had as a kid so our bodies can definitely change over time.


ETA: I read somewhere that our bodies and sensitivites change every 5-7 years, but I don't know how true that is.

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2012 17:01:15 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

Food allergies happened to me after 24 years of no issues, and I grew out of my horrible environmental ones I had as a kid so our bodies can definitely change over time.


ETA: I read somewhere that our bodies and sensitivites change every 5-7 years, but I don't know how true that is.

This is the same for me. When I was younger, I couldn't eat shrimp without having a mild reaction. Now, I can eat shrimp and other seafood without any issues. I also used to eat ice cream often, and now I'm lactose intolerant with a mild milk allergy.

I hope you don't have to get rid of the kitties. Maybe some allergy medicine in the mean time?

[alabasterangel]

Benadryl generally doesn't help. I am not sure how stronger allergy meds would interact w my required meds.. So I am looking into that.

The cats slept w me and were cuddling w me for the first time today and my head feels like it is on fire and melting. Definitely an allergy issue. Whomp whomp!

[louietunes]

Aug 23, 2012 17:01:15 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

Food allergies happened to me after 24 years of no issues, and I grew out of my horrible environmental ones I had as a kid so our bodies can definitely change over time.


ETA: I read somewhere that our bodies and sensitivites change every 5-7 years, but I don't know how true that is.

I heard that your cells die and are replaced at a rate of 5-7 years, so every 7 years, it's a whole "new" you. That's why I try foods I used to hate every 7 years. I have different taste buds. I supposed that theory works with allergies, too.