[HappyToBe]

Dh went to ds' appt so I still have lots of questions. Ds showed a slight allergy to dogs & cats. We're taking steps; ie. regular pet baths, Hepa filter, pet free room, etc but we're keeping the pets. As I understand, the allergy is set and if anything he could possible gain more tolerance. True? Is there any chance that his reaction could worsen over time? His real allergy is alders but he came up positive for pets & dust mites as well.

THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[Missy]

I'm bumping this up for you because I have no idea. I do know that, with food allergies, continued exposures can lead to more severe reactions, but I've heard the opposite is true with environmental and pet allergies. Which is why some of our very well-meaning relatives used to advise us to give ds2 just a little dairy, or just a little egg, etc...so he could build up a tolerance. Then they saw a couple reactions and realized we weren't paranoid fools. Anyway, we don't deal with significant pet or environmental allergies so my knowledge there is pretty limited--but hopefully someone can tell you...

 

[Wolfmeis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missy I'm bumping this up for you because I have no idea. I do know that, with food allergies, continued exposures can lead to more severe reactions, but I've heard the opposite is true with environmental and pet allergies.

This has been our experience. I know it's anecdotal, but I avoid all the food allergens like the plague and don't work as hard to protect them from cat, pollen, etc. My focus on the whole is to boost their immune systems the best I can and pray for the best.

 

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

My experiance with dd is that as she ages the allergy is less. We have a indoor cat and she showed a low allergy to her dander and hair. Now that reaction dosnt happen any more. She also showed a pretty bad reaction to dogs a few years ago but now she can play with them without a problem.

 

[HappyToBe]

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate it.

The whole thing is so bewildering. I mean, I just assumed b/c we HAVE pets he wouldn't develop an allergy in the first place. But, now at least we have sparkling clean dogs.

Boy, it is absolutely DUMPING rain outside. WOW

So, I wonder why they can (possibly) outgrow environ. allergies but not food allergies so much? aighhh so confusing

 

[Missy]

Food allergies--with the exception of peanuts/nuts and shellfish--are frequently outgrown. But, children have a better chance of outgrowing food allergies if those foods are completely eliminated from their diet; exposure keeps the immune system on hyper-alert.