Is it possible to just suddenly develop an allergy to cats? I'm having some respitory issues, ticking in my throat, stuffy nose, etc...that is much much better when I'm not home.... It's just weird.
From the age of 7 until I went away to college I lived with cats in the house. When I moved out of my parents' house I became so allergic to them that I now have asthma like reactions to being in someone's house who has indoor cats (there goes my pet sitter dreams, lol!) So yes, people DO become allergic to them. BUT, I've also heard that a baby who grows up in a house with pets may never develop allergies to them like someone who hasn't been exposed all of their lives. Having a cat in your house may be the best thing you can do for your baby girl.
You can aquire new allergies everyday. I am on 3 allergy shots a week so I can keep my babies (canine).
I don't know about acquiring cat allergies but the kiddo acquired the anaphylactic reaction to penicillin last week after years of taking that med. Doc doesn't know why but has suggested testing in the months/years to come. Also the exposure to animals is a big plus. Doc says it helps build immunities and wards off allergies.
I'm so allergic to cats that when I've had scratch tests done, the allergists usually look at the reaction and go, "Wow!" Then they say, we can't put that in your vaccine, it would throw everything off. You'd better just stay away from them. I've had reactions to cats I've never seen by picking up a hair from someone's couch (accidentally of course)and getting it near my face. I have always been this way. But I do know from all the things I'm allergic to, the allergies come and go over time. For example, when I was a teen, I could pet a cat, as long as I didn't do it for too long and washed my hands afterward. I would never do that now. And, for a time, I couldn't eat anything with tomatoes in it at all without getting asthma. That doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. Fickle things, those allergies.
I'm the same way, when they tested me they told me to stay away from cats. I use to only have problem when I would pet a cat. Now if I come into contact with someone that has a cat I can have problem. I sat in a class one time and the girl that sat next to me let her cat sleep on her coat. That was enough, by the time the class was over I could barely see and breathing was difficult. Jen, not that you keep a dirty house but steam clean any carpets and furniture and mop all floors good. Also, wipe down anything the cat rubs up against. It will help a lot.
And stock up on Benadryl or Clor-trimeton. I have found the OTC Claritin to be pretty useless. OOps, I'm not a doctor. I..er...mean, um, talk to your doctor about antihistimines. Yeah, that's it! Talk to your doctor about antihistimines.
