Can You Develop an Allergy to Cats As an Adult?

Even if your pet cuddled up with you every night while you were growing up, you might still develop allergies as an adult. However, you shouldn't start thinking about finding a new home for your pet cat just yet. Many helpful allergy remedies exist.

Mild Symptoms

• If you start sneezing, or find yourself covered with hives or suffering from itchy eyes and/or nose after spending time with a cat, you may suffer from cat allergies.

Extreme Symptoms

• In extreme cases, your throat may itch or swell. You may also have trouble breathing because cat allergies often trigger asthma. If it swells or affects your breathing, visit your doctor or emergency room immediately.

Allergy Testing

• If you react to anything, Dr. Rohit Katial of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center recommends visiting an allergist for testing. The doctor injects any substances that commonly cause allergic reactions into either your arm or back. The substances that bother you form a small bump. The doctor uses this information to find the best treatment for you.

Quick Fix

• You could consider designating a certain area or your home or room, depending on the size of the animal, as a no-pet zone. Your bedroom is one possibility, since a no-pet zone would help you sleep each night.

Treatments

• Over-the-counter possibilities include antihistamines (such as Benadryl and Claritin) or decongestants such as Sudafed. Prescription medications such as Allegra and Flonase prove effective as well. Because medications work differently for each person, you may have to try several before you find one that works best for you.

A More Extreme Treatment

• If medication fails to relieve your itches, allergy shots are an option. The doctor injects the actual substance that bothers you into your arm to help your body build up an immunity to the allergies.