Scratching an itch
My allergy shot journey (saga) continues
I started getting allergy shots this year for the first time in my adult life.
But I have to admit something: I was compelled to find a new allergist after a man I had been on four dates with decided to adopt a cat.
I know, how embarrassing.
Not only was I not in an exclusive relationship with this man or living with him, but he was also still legally married, had his own house, was dating multiple other people, and, shockingly, was not thinking about my cat allergy.
I got a little carried away, and while the reason I initially saw an allergist again is a bit absurd, I hope it will improve my overall quality of life.
Growing up, I was always the sickly one. Allergy shots from the age of seven, various medications and inhalers, a brief hospital visit in the third grade when I had the flu, bronchitis and strep at the same time, having to rehome my childhood dog, the list goes on.
I’ve had at least four allergy doctors. Two other rounds of allergy shots. I asked my mom to help fill in some of the gaps in my memory before I saw this new specialist, and there was a lot to cover.
I’m allergic to a lot of stuff: dust mites, various molds, various weeds [ragweed, English plantain, cocklebur], various trees [walnut, hickory], grass, cats, and dogs. Hey, at least it's not peanut butter (if that’s you, I am very sorry.)
All my friends have pets. My sister now has two (!) lovely cats. There are certain places I just can’t go. If you have a dog, I’m probably not making it more than 20 minutes in your house without wheezing.
And no, there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog.
In 2011, the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy published a study that found no major differences in the levels of the primary dog allergen, Canis familiaris (Can f 1), in homes with dogs labeled as hypoallergenic compared with those that weren’t.
Cats, I can maybe get by for a few hours.
But do you know how hard it is to find a woman to date in her late 20s/early 30s who doesn’t own a cat?
I think I’m just going to have to accept being itchy for the rest of my life.
When you start getting allergy shots, they do a “ramp-up period.” I was at the allergist’s office for eight hours recently and received 21 injections. Now I get a weekly shot for 16 weeks, and then I can graduate to monthly shots for three to five years.
Did you know you can take up to four Zyrtec a day? I didn’t, and now some days I have to because after I get these shots (three injections every time), I’m itchy for 48-72 hours afterward.
This is what I go through, all in the hopes of being able to exist around people with pets, and the inciting incident was that it might make my dating life easier.