Is baby likely to grow out of allergy whilst living with cat?

Firsttimemummmm · 2023-02-17T18:46:23+00:00

I've always heard that babies with cats and dogs growing up become immune to pet allergies. DS is 4m old, poor guy is always rubbing his eyes and we have a cat in the house. We're requesting a test to be sure but my gut feeling is saying that he's allergic. *From experience has anyone's little one outgrown a pet allergy whilst living with one?* I have been EBF so hoping that helps his immune system.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 17/02/2023 19:34

It depends on the severity of the allergy. Is your cat neutered? Neutering can reduce the strength of allergens a cat gives off.

StillWantingADog · 17/02/2023 19:40

I am allergic and grew up with cats. It def did not cure me. My allergy was def worst in my teens/twenties

at 45 it seems to have eased but I haven’t gone near a cat for over 20 years.

Choconut · 17/02/2023 19:46

Exposure to cats may prevent an allergy developing but I don't think it will cure it. Unfortunately I think you will need to rehome the cat, I'm allergic to cats and I wouldn't want to live with one.

mondaytosunday · 17/02/2023 19:57

Our cat (of two) slept in my sons room when he was a baby. He was ok with our cats but allergic to others, which I didnt realise til we ended up at A&E in the USA after staying with my sister who had two Maine Coons. He then was allergic to ours when we returned home. It can happen - his severe reaction increased his allergy.
If your child is allergic you need to rehome your cat.

Hardbackwriter · 17/02/2023 19:58

I'm not sure a four month old rubbing his eyes is a particular sign of an allergy, in and of itself. Do his eyes look weepy and red?

Sirzy · 17/02/2023 19:59

I didnt. My parents ended up having to rehome their dog because I was allergic. Still am allergic to a lot of dogs now sadly

handsoffate · 17/02/2023 20:01

Dh grew up with cats and had constant allergy symptoms until he moved out, they return severely every time he visits a household with cats.

Pashazade · 17/02/2023 20:05

You can get used to your specific cat and still be allergic to other cats. Doesn't follow that you won't be allergic to a particular animal if you grow up with one in the house.

Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:11

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 17/02/2023 19:34

It depends on the severity of the allergy. Is your cat neutered? Neutering can reduce the strength of allergens a cat gives off.

Yes she was neutered by the breeder before we bought her home over 2 years ago but goo to know this makes a difference

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Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:14

Hardbackwriter · 17/02/2023 19:58

I'm not sure a four month old rubbing his eyes is a particular sign of an allergy, in and of itself. Do his eyes look weepy and red?

Not so weepy but his eyelids and under eye are red from the rubbing day and night. He also has a runny nose and is quite sneezy. It could well be eczema and we are applying a moisturiser prescribed by the GP. Both me and DH have eczema and allergies but being adults were able to manage the pet allergy, it's not so severe. However I do just worry DS has inherited my genes for eczema and allergy prone skin and body

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PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 17/02/2023 20:22

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:14

Not so weepy but his eyelids and under eye are red from the rubbing day and night. He also has a runny nose and is quite sneezy. It could well be eczema and we are applying a moisturiser prescribed by the GP. Both me and DH have eczema and allergies but being adults were able to manage the pet allergy, it's not so severe. However I do just worry DS has inherited my genes for eczema and allergy prone skin and body

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Have you noticed if it improves when your DS is away from the cat for any length of time?

Wolfiefan · 17/02/2023 20:29

I wouldn’t jump to cat allergy. I’m not sure you will get a baby tested either.
Watch what you wash clothes in. (Not liquid detergent or softeners that contain MI.) Extra rinse can help.
Only damp dust
Cat out of bedrooms.
Groom cat outside.
Wash hands between touching cat and baby.
Also avoid air fresheners etc.

Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:53

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss just thinking and I've taken him to visit 3 family / friend homes this past week and all have cats. I'll need to take him elsewhere cat free to test I think

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Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:58

Wolfiefan · 17/02/2023 20:29

I wouldn’t jump to cat allergy. I’m not sure you will get a baby tested either.
Watch what you wash clothes in. (Not liquid detergent or softeners that contain MI.) Extra rinse can help.
Only damp dust
Cat out of bedrooms.
Groom cat outside.
Wash hands between touching cat and baby.
Also avoid air fresheners etc.

Thanks, I will check the detergents and softeners for MI.

That's part of the issue, cat is most attached to me and has always slept in my bedroom and even after 6M old, DS will still be in my room due to space atm. I know me stopping the cat from coming into our room will make her feel rejected and make her depressed. She has a beautiful personality and it breaks my heart to see her upset. So as hard as it is, I was thinking it's probably best she goes to a new loving home

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Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:59

Thanks everyone for sharing your personal experiences, the myth busting is useful insight

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Wolfiefan · 17/02/2023 21:15

So you’ve decided to get rid of the cat even though you don’t know that your child has a cat allergy? 🤦‍♀️

Original poster

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 21:24

Wolfiefan · 17/02/2023 21:15

So you’ve decided to get rid of the cat even though you don’t know that your child has a cat allergy? 🤦‍♀️

I haven't decided. Hence I'm also asking about the experience of others and wanting to get a test done.

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ChildcareIsBroken · 18/02/2023 02:02

Firsttimemummmm · 17/02/2023 20:53

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss just thinking and I've taken him to visit 3 family / friend homes this past week and all have cats. I'll need to take him elsewhere cat free to test I think

I'm not sure that would work. Your cats allergens will stay on you and your family, your clothes, hair etc, so your baby will still be exposed to them outside.
Definitely do a test. Growing up with a cat means allergy is less likely, but it still can happen. And in the meantime you should keep the cat out of the bedroom.

LadyJ2023 · 18/02/2023 03:35

Nope out of 4 kids 3 never grown out of it so I reluctantly rehomed my cats with a family member because it wasn't fair to the kids. Mine were neutered and it made no difference

Twiglets1 · 18/02/2023 07:45

I have asthma and excema and am allergic to cats. Unfortunately for me, I grew up with one.

Mumoffairy · 18/02/2023 08:01

We got two cats a year ago. I knew i have a mild cat hair allergy, but it’s manageable (just a bit of sneezing, I have hay fever all summer anyways so im used to that).
DD started sneezing the day the cats arrived. We were advised by a doctor to just give it some time because sometimes people get used to their own cats.
Its been a year now and DD and I are both not sneezing anymore. DD was 6, not a baby.
Its possible to get used to it, but its also possible that he wont. I guess it depends how much your Lo is suffering and if youre willing to give it some time.

Wasywasydoodah · 18/02/2023 08:13

I’m allergic too, and my parents got more pets instead of rehoming. Then they didn’t have pets for ages. Now mum bought a dog, insists on having it with her wherever she goes, and complains at not being invited over. Infuriating. And quite sad.

IreallyLikeCrisps · 18/02/2023 08:40

I grew up with cats and wasn't allergic to them but was allergic to other people's cats!