My boyfriend is allergic to me

[julia777]

I saw a similar question on this website and thought that perhaps you could offer some advise.

My boyfriend seems to have an allergic reaction to me, which has become worse in recent months. His eyes become itchy and irritated and will bother him for a couple of days after I see him. He is allergic to dust and animals (I have 2 dogs) and I've done my best to elliminate possible dust mites, and contact with my pets in order to alleviate his symptoms. I change my bedding frequently and do my best to elimate humidity in my bedroom, as I read that humidity contributes to dust mite populations. I am fairly confident that the dust in my home (it's an older home and m bedroom is carpeted) is the cause of his allergies.

He does not come over to my house, but I seem to carry the allergen with me. It's becoming a problem for us and I wonder if there is something more that I can do, short of moving to another environment with no animals? Also, what is the likelihood that his symptoms will go away if I move out of a house with pets?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[julia777]

Is it possible that it is not allergies and that his symptons are from microbes or skin paracites that I am carrying? If so, how do we identify what it is that is casing his syptoms. He also gets bumps which resemble bites, which has lead us to suspect a microbe of some kind. The doctors that I have seem have not been able to offer me any tests that could idenify what the problem is.

[orayoyo]

Do you have any example of infections or haboring infective agents?  (What's called, etc.)  Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Allergies are not contagious and they cannot spread from one person to the other.However if you are carrying air borne allergens on your clothes or body or the things that you are wearing or using; like perfumes,cosmetics,soaps,jewellery etc,then a susceptible person can show an allergic reaction.In allergies,the immnune system is misdirected and even considers harmless objects like dust,pollen,metals etc as allergens and show an allergic reaction to it.

If you are having some infections or harboring infective agents(like some people harbor infectious agents as bacteria in their nose,mouth,skin,hair,genitalia etc),then your boyfriend may show signs and symptoms pertaining to that infectious agent.Otherwise people can’t become allergic to other people.

Hope it helps.Take care and regards.

[julia777]

Thank you for your suggestions. I was looking around the website and saw postings to the PATM - people are allergic to me forum and wondered if there is any chance that it's actually me that he is reacting to, rather than to a dust or animal allergy? What's the possibility of that and how would I be able to determine if that's the case?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Whether your boyfriend will be improving after you move out of the house with pets or not cannot be predicted. Animal allergens are sticky and adhere to walls, clothing and other surfaces. It can take months or even years to free yourself and your house of pet allergens.

I feel that you should get rid of your pets or change your surooundings and get everything washed(even your clothes)in hypoallergenic non perfumed detergents.Also check if your boyfriend is allergic to that particular brand of perfume,deos,soaps,detergents or cosmetics etc that you are wearing.

Remove drapes, feather pillows, upholstered furniture, non-washable comforters,pets and soft toys from your house. Replace carpets with linoleum or wood. Vacuum soft furniture and curtains as well as floor Wash carpets and upholstery with special cleaners, such as benzyl benzoate or tannic acid spray. Wash all bedding in hot water (hotter than 130°F) every 7 to 10 days. Don't use mattress pads. Cover mattress and pillows with plastic covers. Lower the humidity in your home. You can also try spraying areas where your pets spend their time (carpets, sofas) with an anti allergen spray. Use reputable allergy avoidance products throughout your home.

Your boyfriemd can go in for innunotherapy also.Immunotherapy will gradually make a person more and more resistant to the allergens. The goal of immunotherapy is to increase the tolerance 10 times. This is one of the most effective treatments because it treats the cause and doesn’t just hide the symptoms.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries