Spin off of the "black cat" thread - allergies

10 years ago

Do you think you "grow out of", or into, allergies?
When he was a child, DH was "allergic" to oranges and tomatoes. He devours them now, and has for the 30 years we've been together. He doesn't recall ever having a bad reaction to them, but, then, he wasn't allowed to have them when they were in the house because of his allergies.
We got custody of my cousin when he was 13. Poor kid was "allergic" to everything when he was growing up. Dairy, citrus, strawberries ... he had never had ice cream, milk from a cow, cheese from cow's milk, etc. When he came to live with us, he ate all those things (introduced at a about 1/1 millionth of a drop at a time, because I was afraid he would die if he just wanted to "taste a bite of strawberry") without any adverse reaction, and still does.
I've never had allergies in my life. A couple of years ago I started getting a perpetual runny nose and itchy eyes. Husband thinks it is allergies. It's all the time though, not during any certain allergy "season" like some folks get during spring or fall.
Have you outgrown an allergy, or developed one later in life?

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Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd
10 years ago
I think allergic sensitivities can change. Some may come while others go - mine have. After all, isn't that what allergy shots are all about?

Do I remember that you once mentioned you're a heavy smoker? I don't know any smokers now I could ask, but I seem to recall that many did suffer allergy-like symptoms. That could be the source of your discomfort. (I'll leave out the rest, you've heard it before).
nanny98
10 years ago
I'm kinda in the middle of a 'self test' for peanut butter. Have over some time developed severe skin itching.... and Dr thinks it is/was dry skin. I've moisturized myself really well (Cetaphil Cream, by the bucket full), continued itching but not really terrible. Then to replace a missed dinner, I had Crackers and peanut butter and the itching in the middle of the night was beyond belief..... so.... no more peanut butter, for a few weeks now resulting is much less itching.... then had a whipped dessert while dining out and I think it had peanuts in it and the night was itchy again.

Gosh, DH leaves that jar on the counter and I am soooo tempted, but it is such relief to not be franticly itching now. I will get brave and test it one day..... not soon tho. I have never had a food allergy.... few pollen ones and not severe. Who knows, and I don't need or want another MD examining this falling apart body.
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lablover4ever, allergies are diagnosed both in dogs AND humans by what is known as an "elimination diet" as Meghane above suggested. An elimination diet consists of feeding only a bare minimum of ingredients for a specified period of time, then slowly adding in other ingredients to find out where the reaction to the ingredient occurs. The ONLY commercial food that I know of designed for this specific purpose is "California Natural" by NaturaPet. It is expensive. Quite honestly, I fed it to my epileptic dog for 3 years watching his seizure triggers for any signs and his allergies. He has both problems. We discovered what his allergies were -- and his seizure triggers -- by using this method, and then were able to switch him to a less expensive food. If this may be the case for you, then I'd suggest that food. The problem with many commercial foods is you can't trust the big bag label. While they may say they are "lamb and rice", if you read the fine print, they also contain corn, rosemary, and many other ingredients. The first 5 ingredients are the most copious in a food. Look for pure ingredients. If it is lamb and rice for example, then that is ALL it should contain. Add in other ingredients after that, and see if sensitivities re-occur. Bear in mind, it takes about 8 weeks for sensitivities to ingredients to manifest. So make any changes sloooooooowly. A good rule of thumb is, "the devil is in the details". It's also in the fine print on the ingredient label, not the big label on the front of the bag.
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party_music50
10 years ago
yes, per my doctor and knowing from actual experiences, people definitely can develop or lose allergies as they get older!
wanda_va
10 years ago
I was never allergic to the "world" until I was in my 30s...then I became allergic to grass, mold, etc. They may be seasonal allergies, but I'm allergic to something during every season! I quit smoking many years ago, and that helped--but did not "cure"--the allergies.

I have always been allergic to all types of cheese, and can only tolerate dairy products in small quantities.

I am violently allergic to penicillin and sulfa...and also allergic to codeine.

And I'm allergic to cats!! I could never go to visit my grandsons in their home because their mother has a lot of cats (14 at present).
alisande
10 years ago
I don't think there's a standard pattern. Some people outgrow certain allergies, while others can show up later in life. My severe allergy to solanine (potatoes, tomatoes, and a slew of other foods) started in my 30s and has gotten progressively worse over the years. I've been allergic to sulfa and a milk protein since infancy. When we owned horses I wasn't able to breathe through my nose for about four years.

Nanny, I, too, am self-testing for peanuts/peanut butter right now. I think peanuts might be a major contributor to my knee pain.

People with multiple allergies or chemical sensitivities might look into whether or not they have methylation problems caused by one or more MTHFR gene defects. These are not uncommon, and can be treated. Here's one explanation:

Methylation
heather_on
10 years ago
Add me to the list of those who have developed allergies over the years. One of the worst for me is dandelions. I tested big time for those prolific flowers. Springtime fun here we come!
socks
10 years ago
Allergies definitely change over the years.

We have always had a cat or two, and my son was never allergic to them. Now he cannot even be in the same room with a cat without having a reaction.

Like Wanda, I started with hay fever in my 30's, but now I don't have that any more.
rob333 (zone 7b)
10 years ago
Another thought. It could be that one's immune system just doesn't work like it used to. Or weakens. See the below article for what I am talking about.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sudden Allergies

Spin off of the "black cat" thread - allergies

Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd

nanny98

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party_music50

wanda_va

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rob333 (zone 7b)

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