Allergy Testing

I'm thinking about going through immunotherapy for my allergies.

My nose is always runny/itchy and I sneeze great gobs of snot (I have healthy lungs). I only take an allergy pill once a week or so when it really annoys me, but what's the point if I can be cured? Genevieve's dad went through it years and years ago and highly recommends it. The cats aren't going anywhere (except the one who did), and I suspect my wife will end up adopting something else fuzzy in the future (after her current fish craze).

Thursday after work, I went to the allergist around the corner. I got to get pricked by 54 needles on my back in the first test panel and then I had 12 or 13 shots in my arms in the second panel. After each panel, they tell you "Don't itch!" and wait twenty minutes to measure the reaction.

I am no longer allergic to horses, but I am allergic to cats and house dust (which the doctor said could have cat allergens in it). My body also reacted to dog hair. My family got our first puppy when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, so that really surprised me.

The doctor said I'm "sensitized." My body knows the allergens are there even though there is no allergic reaction.

Strange. Even if I was allergic I never would've given up Jazzy (I still have a picture of her).

The next step is to try some new prescription pills and contemplate if I want to sign up for 100 shots over the next several years. One of my co-workers was in the waiting room in life for her shot when I first arrived! She recommended the procedure and the doctor I saw.

Shane smacked the very same doctor in the head last week! He was pleasant to me this week, so there must not be any hard feelings (though I guess he could have ordered an extra shot or two in my panel...)