Allergies are caused by what?

What caused my adult-onset allergies?

• I have oft heard that if you expose a child to things such as cats or dogs while young, they will not develop allergies to them when older. Well I have had cats almost my whole life & just found out I am allergic to cats! I have also eaten beef & pork almost my whole life & found out I was allergic to beef & pork too So much so that if I eat beef & pork & am around cat dander I can have an anaphalactic reaction. Needless to say this has been a big time bummer. But I just praise God it's not worse. But what has caused these adult-on set allergies? The allergist told me we are more likely to develop allergies to what we are exposed to most, which goes in directly opposite of what I had previously been told. So what is the truth concerning this? Any insight is appreciated. xoxoxo Ohio Kitten

• Answer:

  I am 48 years old, and have never been allergic to Iodine, but just within the last few months, I have developed allergies to iodine as well as alot of the preservatives in some foods. I have always had allergic reactions to something, allergist said it is just a combo of things in my body. That really helped alot.LOL. I keep liquid Benadryl as well as an Epi-Pen with me at all times. I love shrimp and seafood, so I sometimes just take my chances. Usually the Benadryl will take care of it. I have a friend that had always eaten seafood, and three years ago, she ate it and wound up in the hospital for three days. Now she can't have anything with it in it. It as always possible to necome allergic to anything, no matter whether you have ever had a problem or not. GOO LUCK!!!!!!!!!! I love my cats, so I don't know what I would do.