After being “scratched” in the back 52 times, and 16 more tests being done on my right arm, I now know what I am allergic to.
They are as follows:
- Pecan trees
- White oak pollen
- Red oak pollen
- Bermuda grass pollen
- Bahia grass pollen
- Timothy grass pollen
- Alternaria mold
- English plantain weed
- Pigweed
- Marsh elder weed
- Housedust
- Cockroaches
- Dust mites
- Pet dander (only a slight allergy)
The good thing is that I know what to avoid now and have medicine to help me out. It is also completely acceptable for me to be OCD about keeping my apartment clean. And now, I have the perfect excuse to avoid cutting the grass for the rest of my life.
The bad thing is that I have to get allergy shots every week. (Which are not necessarily a bad thing, but hello, I don’t make enough money to have to pay what I’ve been paying as a co-pay every time I get a shot. I’m hoping I don’t have to fork over more cash…) Also, I’m slightly allergic to pets. And I want a dog BADLY.
Not cool.
So, the question is… Since I’m not that allergic to pups, what steps do I take? Do I try to find a “hypo-allergenic” dog? (Yes, I know these aren’t real, but some dogs are better for people with allergies than others.) Do I just say screw it and not get one? Do I say screw it and get whatever dog I find and just deal since my allergies aren’t severe?
I guess my allergies will have a HUGE voice whenever this happens…
Also, is it sad that I’m focusing on the pet thing when I am allergic to A LOT more things that are found in every home? Probably.
I'm E.P. I have stylish handwriting. I enjoy a nice cappuccino in the morning. And I am fascinated with capturing life as it is.
{ 23 comments }
Hey hun. Well.. I am allergic to everything BUT guinea pigs and oak trees. Therefore, I must move somewhere in guinea pig and oak tree land. Whatever.
Anyways.. I am very allergic to grass and cats. I have a cat and he has never severly bothered me. I also have a dog (now.. as you know) and its him tramping around in the grass that bothers me the most.
I am not getting rid of him and I really dont think (per my allergist) that any type of dog is safer than another besides the hypo ones.
I too am thinking about the shots.
Well, I’m not a medical professional, but it seems to me that if you can handle some house dust, a slight allergy to pet dander shouldn’t bother you TOO much! I say go for it, and maybe do focus on the more poodley kinds of dogs. (From what I understand, they’re great for those with allergies.)
allergic to house dust! You had better not visit me. I think you are good for a pet as long as it isn’t a cockroach.
I think hair-furred dogs (shih-tzu’s, that sort of hair) are better for allergies. Then again, Calvin has the shortest fur I’ve ever seen. Do some research, visit some pooches and see how you make out. Don’t write off a dog just yet!
i’ve always wanted to have an allergy test done because i’m certain there are some things i’m allergic to…but not sure – did it hurt at all?
whoa i had no idea you could pin point that specifically allergies! that’s crazy!
Wow interesting list of allergies. Some crazy things are on there. Red Oak pollen?? There are some dogs like Bischons that are better for people with allergies. We looked at them as a kid for my brother and me.
I’m allergic to dogs and my mom has a “hypoallergenic” dog and I’m fine around her. I rub my face in her belly. Yeah I’m weird.
I’m kind of interested to see what all I’m allergic to… some of those are fantastically random and interesting! As far as puppies, I had a Maltese and she didn’t make anyone’s allergies flair up. Plus she was PERFECT and CUTE AS A BUTTON.
So, it sounds like you are allergic to everything down south.Great for you. Yuck.
I say go for the dog. If you keep them groomed and washed and keep the floor vaccummed it won’t be a problem, and the benefits far outweigh the downfalls!
Hope your scratches heal soon!
wow quite a list..boo…and i say get a puppy! my mom says that she’s allergic to dogs but she is just fine with Diamond
A dog called a Labradoodle
http://www.valleyviewdogs.com/images/labradoodles/labradoodle-miniature-chocolate-aliza-01.jpg
is one that doesn’t have real ‘fur’. And they are pretty damn cute! My friend is really allergic to any pets, but this type of dog, she is fine with.
Maybe I should go get this test done, I’m sick of my allergies flaring up in the summer.
Okay. I just read the comments thinking SOMEBODY would have to agree that it’s weird that you’re allergic to cockroaches. Seriously. I didn’t even know that was possible. & now I’m really hoping that that isn’t common, and I just look like an idiot.
Anyway. I say do some research and find out which dogs are best for allergies. Don’t give up on a puppy!
That’s quite the allergy list. Is it possible to ever lose them?
I saw this commercial about an allergy medicine and the girl in the commercial was petting a cat. I’m assuming that is not trying to mislead allergic people into believing they can have a cat and be allergic thanks to that medicine. But ya never know…
I find I am not bothered by the longer haired dogs. Shorthairsmake me break out but my lab was perfect for me.
What the HHHELL is PIGWEED?!
That all sounds so so painful. Scratches? And Shots? I would hate to get allergy tested, because I’m pretty sure I’d be dramatic about it. And it’d make my allergies 10 times worse because I’d know about them.
I’m allergic to pets (among many other things) but I’ve found that I get used to the pet I’m around all the time (ie I got used to my cats -provided I didn’t rub my face with them, but not other people’s cats)
Hopefully that’s the same for you, particularly since you have a slight allergy!
Also, if you keep your house clean (as I’m assuming you do re: the OCD cleaning mentioned) then it should be even less of a problem. Get a dog! eee too cute.
{{{Hug}}} I had allergy shots for years and then eventually didn’t need them anymore.
As for the pets, research research. Different breeds are definitely better for allergies, but I will add that I’m allergic to everyone else’s cats and dogs but never had a problem with my own when I lived at home. Now when I visit, I definitely notice it.
I’ve got crazy pollen allergies too, though I’ve never been tested. And over the last year or so I’ve developed a pretty huge allergy to cats, but dogs I’m still fine with. Seeing your list of allergies makes me think I should go get tested just to see, but I doubt I’d put myself through weekly shots. I shudder at the thought.
the key to living with animals and allergies (i’ve got both!) is to get a dog who doesn’t shed… basically there are two types of dogs, the type whose hair grows and thus needs to be groomed, and the type of dogs who shed (and so you never need to cut it). A lot of the more low maintenance looking dogs (i.e. think labs) shed and thus are more allergenic than the frou-frou little yorkies, malteses, poodles, because they have hair similar to humans, don’t shed, and thus get ridiculous hair cuts.
So the verdict is you can still get a dog! And living with allergies is a whole lot better when you know what your dealing with, so yay for taking care of business!
I’m slightly allergic to pet dander, but I’ve got two dogs who don’t bother me a bit. When I first got them, my allergies flared up, but now the dogs don’t bother me a bit. I do make a big effort to clean up their hair, though.
Been reading for a while, finally delurking!
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