Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Is it possible to develop animal allergies later in life?

I've been around dogs and cats my whole life and NEVER have had a problem with allergies. Last week I had the flu and I thought I was over it, but yesterday I started sneezing a lot and my nose is running like a leaky faucet. I have two cats, and like I said, I've never had a single problem. Is it possible that I have allergies to something such as pollen? (the weather was very warm yesterday compared to really cold temperatures). Is it possible that I just am not over my flu? (it doesn't feel quite like the flu) Or did I get a mild cold? What is going on? I can't live like this! I'm hoping it's just pollen or something. Anyone have any thoughts?

Is it possible to develop animal allergies later in life?
Yes, it is certainly possible to develop allergies as an adult. Actually, it's been building up in your body and you've reached the point where you've developed symptoms. I had cats all my life and had no problems until adulthood. Same with airborne pollen. It reached the point I developed mild asthma and medication wasn't working. My doctor recommended being tested to see what, specifically, I was allergic to. Turns out it is cat dander AND some airborne pollens. I started allergy shots, and they made a marked improvement. I took them for 10 years and now my symptoms, while not entirely gone, have really improved to the point I don't need them. All I need is an occasional antihistamine.

If your symptoms continue, check with you doctor and consider being tested. Good luck!
Reply:Yes, it is. I became allergic to cats after I turned 30. Don't know the exact age I was, but one day my mom's cats started to bother me.
Reply:I am not a doctor and you should probably see one if you are still sick. However, it is possible to develop allergies later on in life. Your body goes through a change in cycles about every seven years or so. You will grow out of allergies and gain some new ones. Unfortunately it is a part of life. If it is allergies, Benedryl taken in capsule form will work for you. If not, defenitely go back to see your doctor.
Reply:I developed an allergy to cats aged 14, so I guess it is possible when you are past childhood.



If you go to your doctor then they can do an allergy test and find out what, if anything, you are allergic to.
Reply:You could be having a reaction to pollen, but it could be a combination of things including animals and/or food and you'll never know unless you get tested. People get new allergies all the time. I suggest you get allergy testing. Find out what's really bothering you and get a treatment plan for it. Every year your allergies could continue to get worse without treatment and you'll think wow, I keep getting sick! It's not a cold or the flu that you have for weeks on end, it's allergies!
Reply:Allergies of any kind may attack you at any age. Although, you have not been allergic, before.......you could suddenly be allergic to animal dander, and/or most anything else. It is really sad to develop allergies to the animals we love so much. I would not take the idea that this was the only thing your sneezing could be from, right now. You say the weather is different, that you are getting over the flu, and there seem to be other reasons that you could just be overy succeptable to respiratory problems right now. Wait for a while. When you feel better, are really OVER the flu and the weather isn't so full of pollen, you may find your cats and you get along just fine!


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