Test says cat allergy but no symptoms
My husband has been coughing and throat-clearing for years. He finally saw an allergist, had intradermal testing. Test results show allergy to dust mites. So ok, he'll go through injection treatment and hopefully that works to stop the coughing/throat-clearing. BUT the test also showed an allergy to cats. We don't have cats but have wanted to get one, just waiting for roommate to move out. My mother has a cat, we spend several hours a week there, all day for holidays and such. His usual coughing/throat-clearing continues, but dust mites are everywhere. But he doesn't go into a fit of sneezing, get watery eyes, or any of the usual symptoms. Same for when we're at a friend's house who has a cat. In both homes, the cats are timid and hide when company is around so he's not in direct contact with them but still wouldn't being in a cat environment trigger some reaction? Should we "test" this result by actually holding and petting a cat? I certainly don't want to harm my husband but this isn't adding up.
Hi there... Diagnosing allergies can be tricky. Although allergy tests are usually accurate, there are sometimes false positives or false negatives. So, it's possible that your husband is NOT allergic to cats, but in all probability he IS. It could just be that the sensitivity is still quite mild as his exposure is minimal.
I am highly allergic to cats, but when I enter a home with cats, if the cat is not around much and I don't touch it, I'm often OK. However, if the cat is allowed free roaming all over the furniture, etc., I am much more likely to have a reaction.
With your husband, having him briefly hold or pet a cat might be a way to test the depth of his reaction, although this could be risky. I would certainly be sure to have allergy treatment available and close at hand if you go that route. In any event, I'd be very cautious about getting a cat of your own. Even if your husband's sensitivity is only mild right now, repeated exposures to a cat (if it lived in your home) is likely to make that sensitivity worse and worse over time. That's the way allergies usually work.
You can also discuss the allergy test results in greater depth with your husband's doctor, which may increase your understanding of what they were.
Good luck,
Kathi
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