can a grown woman suddenly, after years of having a cat, develop a cat allergy?

[colditz]

My kitten has become so friendly she likes to rub her bottom in my face at night ... 10 minutes later, I can't breathe. It's just not funny, I've never had this before, and I've had to dose up on piriton tonight, and I am still wheezy. I sound asthmatic, although I'm not.

You may be allergic to cat shite!

OMG seems you can become immune to your own cat (ie the one I had for 3 years) but still react to other people's - or a new one (my kitten!)

Oh Nooooooo!

I think you can acquire an allergy late in life. I once met a Jack Russell Terrier breeder who, after a lifetime of breeding and living with dozens of JRTs, had to sell-up his business and his pets because of a developed allergy.

Yes you can unfortunately.

But perhaps it is just an allergy to some parasite that the kitten has?

Like what though? She's been wormed and flead.

I think this is the final knell for her the kids hate her because she's bloody vicious.

Is she a long or short hair cat?

She's a short haired tabby.

I don't know what parasites it might be, but perhaps it's worth checking with vet? Just a thought. Sorry the kitten is giving you and the kids a tough time.

Yes you can. I had a cat for over 15 years. No allergies at first but then after a few years I used to get sore eyes and sneeze. Now I have two more as other one died of old age. They have to stay downstairs. dcs pick them up and can be near them, I have to keep my distance.

They are loved from a afar, but at least they are no longer homeless.

Yes - sorry. My sis developed a cat allergy after 10 years of owning one and can now no longer be in a house with one.

You can develop asthma as a allergic reaction at any age too.

yes. You can get sprays said to reduce the effect. Keep her out of the bedroom.

Same applies to men; if you find after several happy years dh now gives you nausea and a rash, just spray him regularly and keep him out of the bedroom.

Yes, I used to sit with teh cat on my lap every night but in the last couple of years now my eyes start weeping when I go anywhere near her (she's about 7).

A bit sad, i can stroke her but have to wash hands striaght afterwards. DS is OK with her, so he cuddles her now when she'll let him

We shut her downstairs at night now, due to too many early morning wakings, pukings, and present giving episodes, and she isn;t allowed on the beds at all.

Spockster - pmsl maybe thats why in marriage they call it the 7 year itch!

You can get an allergy at any age- my friend developed a cat allergy aged 59 having kept cats for many years. No wheezing but horrendous sneezing/ runny eyes. Antihistamines seem to have helped.