Can an allergic person overcome allergies to his pet by building a tolerance over time?

I bought a dog, but am having pretty bad allergies. I do not want to go the allergy shots route, or constantly take medication, or have to limit how I play with him. I’m suffering now, but am wondering, if over time, I may build a tolerance and grow immune to his dander, saliva, and other allergens? I recall I used to go to my friend’s house a lot, and had real bad allergies from his cats. But over time, the allergies became a lot better. I thought it was because I built a tolerance to them.

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Best Answer: I have been allergic to cats all my life and I have never built any sort of immunity to them. I think you should go to a allergist and they can help you build immunity to your allergies by injecting you with allergens. This therapy is called "Immunotherapy" It's not an instant cure but it can take anywhere from one year to two years to see an improvement. But over time you will see an improvement. Some people improve after only a few months of therapy. Hope this has helped.

6 Comments

  • caz a
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    yes you will get used to it and will get over the alergies.but it will get better
    good luck

  • Budgie B
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    i’m afraid that you cant build an immunity. in fact, sometimes allergies get worse over time. Its strange that you built up a tolerance of cats though…

  • monkeydick
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    We have cats and my son and I are allw=ergic. We are used to our cats inside but the ourtside cats that are kind of wild will get us going. Getting near someone elses cat is usually a problem. We go to California for the Christmas holiday for two weeks and when I get back I have to ge tused to them again.

  • Laurie B
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    That stinks. I don’t really know if you can or not. I know that even if I had allergies, I would still have my pets! It would not stop me in the least.

  • Tee
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    I have been allergic to cats all my life and I have never built any sort of immunity to them. I think you should go to a allergist and they can help you build immunity to your allergies by injecting you with allergens. This therapy is called “Immunotherapy” It’s not an instant cure but it can take anywhere from one year to two years to see an improvement. But over time you will see an improvement. Some people improve after only a few months of therapy. Hope this has helped.

  • dazedandconfused_89
    November 21, 2007 | Permalink |

    I’m allergic to dogs but have a border collie that sleeps with me every night. He has since I got him, it bothered me at first but doesn’t faze me now. My mom is more allergic than me and use to get hives because of him, now he can sleep with her or sit with her and it doesn’t seem to bother her at all!

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