Can You Get Cat And Dog Allergies Later In Life
It’s important to note that most people will develop allergies as children or as young adults in their early 20s. It is rare for older adults to develop new allergies, however, it’s not impossible.
According to immunologist Kanao Otsu (National Jewish Health), most adult allergies will have existed in the individual as a child, however, the symptoms may have been minor.
After speaking with my allergist, I understood that I likely had pet allergies when I was young. At an early age, my body was resilient enough that I may not have noticed the symptoms. Over time the symptoms became stronger because the allergies weren’t addressed.
During my life, I’ve moved a lot for work so I’ve gone from dry arid environments to lush tropical environments. My body has worked to adjust to new areas and differing levels of allergens.
I’ve also lived in stressful environments and taken high amounts of antibiotics due to the work I’ve done. These may or may not have affected my allergies, however, stress, antibiotics, pregnancies, and major lifestyle changes will have a profound effect on your body, especially the immune system.
Things that may affect your immune system could include:
Actionable Steps To Reduce Pet Allergy Symptoms
Developing an allergy to pets can be discouraging, however, there are a number of ways you can reduce your exposure to pet allergens in the house.
Will bathing your dog have any effect on allergy symptoms? Experts arent sure; some studies have shown that baths reduce the amount of airborne dander, while others havent found a difference. You can certainly try out weekly baths and see what happens. Just make sure that someone without dog allergies is doing the actual bathing.
You might wonder why dog dander has such an effect on you. People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies overreact to harmless substances — like dog dander — and attack it as they would bacteria or viruses. The sneezing and watery eyes are just the side effects of the bodys attempt to destroy or flush out the allergen.
While allergy tests are helpful, theyre not always conclusive. So if you own a dog, your doctor might want you to try living without it for a while to see how you do. To get a good sense of your symptoms, it might take some extended time apart. It often takes months before the level of dander in the house drops down to a level resembling that of a house without a dog.
You may have heard that some dog breeds trigger allergy symptoms while others dont, or that short-haired dogs are safe while long-haired dogs prone to shedding are not. But on the whole, experts say that isnt the case. In fact, two dogs of the same breed can each give off very different levels of allergen.
You may find that these techniques help your dog allergies. But if they dont, you have to consider more drastic measures — like giving up the dog. Its hard to do, but you have to think realistically. Its unfair to people with dog allergies if they cant be in their own homes without enduring a runny nose and relentless sneezing fits. Uncontrolled allergies can also contribute to asthma, which is a serious disease.