I Know that somes you can acquire allergies in adulthood that you didn't have as a child. I also have adult onset asthma. I know often times asthma and allergies go hand in hand. I recently got a 2nd cat to add to my 2 dogs. I was diagnosed with asthma because of a sinus infection. My doctor alao says that I have year year hayfever(I take Flonase) What I want to know is there definate signs (besides a runny nose amd nasal congestion) to a possible cat allergy? I've been around Cats all my life and never had a problem. My doctor and I have discussed my going to an allergist. But I'm reluctant simply for the fact that I just stated. I was also wondering if my doctor does find that I do have an allergy that there is some kind of medicine that will take of mutiple allergies. Has anyone experienced getting a cat allergy later in life?
BTW My asthma only seems to act up when I'm not feeling well

I Know that somes you can acquire allergies in adulthood that you didn't have as a child. I also have adult onset asthma. I know often times asthma and allergies go hand in hand. I recently got a 2nd cat to add to my 2 dogs. I was diagnosed with asthma because of a sinus infection. My doctor alao says that I have year year hayfever(I take Flonase) What I want to know is there definate signs (besides a runny nose amd nasal congestion) to a possible cat allergy? I've been around Cats all my life and never had a problem. My doctor and I have discussed my going to an allergist. But I'm reluctant simply for the fact that I just stated. I was also wondering if my doctor does find that I do have an allergy that there is some kind of medicine that will take of mutiple allergies. Has anyone experienced getting a cat allergy later in life?
BTW My asthma only seems to act up when I'm not feeling well

Every body have a different reaction… In my case my allergies activate my asthma…I am allergic to cat but not to dog, I have passed the test… I am 57 years old and after having the Asiatique cold at 21 years old followed by German misile I found myself with allergies and asthma…So now I am allergic to many things…What I am surprise when I read the healt board nobody mention that they take Reactine, before in Canada we needed a prescription for it but now we can have with out it in the drug store…I was wondering if it was on the market in the state…I take Extra Strenght 24 hour relief Reactine which is a fast relief for Ragweed-Pollen-Hives-Dust-Pets-Mold….I take it only when I need it and not on a regular base so my body don’t get use to it…I stop Flonase because I started to bleed from my nose…I notice that my immune system is of balance when I am very nervous…My eyes become red and itchy and I start coughing so my asthma takes over….I do take Benadryl when I have a insect bite only and also not on a regular basic for a faster relief…

It's possible to become allergic to ANYTHING as an adult. I just recently found out I'm allergic to my 2 cats at age 25 and I've been around them all my life too. I grew up with dogs and turns out I'm allergic to them too, as well as dust mites and all kinds of outdoor plants. Up until this winter I never so much as suffered a running nose or a sneeze unless I was sick. I didn't believe I could be allergic to my cats until I saw the proof in the allergy test. I honestly didn't think you could be allergic to something you've been around for years, but you can :( I have allergy asthma myself now.

My allergist did tell me that usually when adults develop allergies it's when something else is going on in their bodies, following like a bad cold/flu, Sinus infection, something of that nature. I had a back injury last year and I think that is what brought all this on (but who knows!)

You can take a lot of meds for multiple allergies, but if the allergies are severe like mine are, not much works. I'm on Singulair for both allergies and asthma as well as Zyrtec. I'm getting shots right now for plants and trees and then once they start to take effect for dust and cats.

There are also things you can do to help the cats from bothering you so much if it turns out you are allergic. Mine are no longer allowed in the bedroom and we brush them every day and give them a bath every week. (lots of fun!!) The main thing I would say is don't let anyone talk you into giving away your pets if it turns out you're allergic. That was my biggest fear and luckily my cat allergy isn't as bad as some of the others, but either way, I'd die before I gave them away. Good luck to you because I know how devestating it can be. Maybe you'll get lucky and not be allergic. :)

There are skin and blood tests for cat allergies.

Micheline,
Reactine is called Zyrtec here in the states and it's only available with an RX! Of course, I'm not surprised you guys have it over the counter there.

Thank you, for the information, because I was wondering...When I take, what you call Zyrtec in the State and in Canada Reactine, it works and it is gives me a great relief, but I don’t use it regularly because I am so scare that my immune system would get use to it ...The reason that we got it over the counter now is that the government have to pay because we have insurance with the government…So to many people had prescription and it cost to much money to the government... So the gouvernment had this great idea of accepting that it be put on the shelf in the drug store…So now we have to pay for it completely without any insurance deduction…Xtra Strength Reactine does not cause me any dizziness compare to Chlor-Tripolon which is also sale on the counter, and may be under another name in the stathe, that cause dizziness.

Hey I have adult alergies too, recently started being allergic to strawberries despite eating them all my life. There is a distinct link between cats and asthma as well as dogs and house dust mite. The symptoms for allergies to cats can be varied, i get itchy eyes running nose sneezing head ache itchy throat and sometimes small white bumps. It could be worth checking out. It might also just be an introduction to a new cat, for example my cat didn't use to make me allergic but my sisters cat did! Try and keep the cat out of anywhere you sleep and ask about anti hystimines which may get you through this! It should hopefully just take a bit of time to build up an imunity. If your symptoms get worse etc the see a doctor! :wave: x

Maybe the allergist is noting that if you have something else going on, you can get 'what appear to be allergies'

I would not suspect that if you have been around cats all your life with no allergy problem, that it is the cats.

There could be another variable that you are overlooking. Your body reacts to too much of a chemical exposure of any kind in many ways, most like you would react if you were allergic to something (You are - like being poisoned by chemicals) For starters, explore how many things contain 2-butoxyethanol. Then see how much of that chemical you use.