Dear DASHA,
My lease is up, and a close friend has asked me to move into her beautiful apartment, which I would be thrilled to do! The only problem is, she has a cat, and I am allergic. Someone once told me that if you expose yourself for a prolonged period of time to the cause of your allergy, you can desensitize yourself to it. If I spend time with the cat, will I eventually develop immunity to my cat allergy, or is this a myth?
Sincerely,
Potential Cat Roomie
Myth. Unfortunately, allergists will still be in demand. In other words, the familiar itch, congested nasal passages and watery drippy noses don’t just go away if we are continually exposed to indoor and seasonal allergens (pollens) or our pets (assuming you are truly sensitive or allergic to them – about 10%-15% of the allergic population in US). So yes it means either avoidance (difficult to do, of course), or HEPA air filtration in your home can help, as well as over the counter and prescription allergy medications. Most importantly, allergy injections can actually reduce and eliminate bothersome allergy symptoms dramatically, in as soon as several months. So if you need the help and really don’t want to give up this apartment, see an allergist and get a safe and effective allergy “action” plan, to make your remaining days of summer safe and care free!
Best,
Dr. Bassett
DASHA wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
