So I’m allergic to cats

When we moved back to Colorado, I knew I was going to deal with allergy issues. One perk of moving to a place you’ve already lived is that you have an idea of what life is like. I have several, fairly severe grass allergies out here, and I decided to meet with an allergist to combat them. OTC meds aren’t enough because I have allergy symptoms around six months of the year.

I get a referral from my primary care provider on Fort Carson, and I schedule my first appointment in the allergy clinic. They do the full back scratch test where they poke you with a wide variety of common allergens to see what you react to. I go back a month later for additional testing. This time, they do a second batch of allergens, and they throw in common household ones like pet dander and dust mites. I tell them that there’s no point in testing me for cat dander because I have had cats 22 of my 27 years of life and the two cats at home don’t bother me. Lo and behold, I’m allergic to cats. It’s on the “not so bad” range of my allergies, and the doctor thinks I developed it from having cats. Basically, as long as I have cats, I shouldn’t present bad symptoms. If I stop living with cats for a while then go back, I will probably have an allergic reaction. Cool. Fear not for Purrburger and Bagel Bites; they aren’t going anywhere. Adopting animals is a lifelong commitment, and, if my symptoms get worse, I’ll deal with it for their sake.

Are you allergic to pets?