I had a similar experience: cats growing up, then a period of several years without them, then an allergy showing up.

I thought I could never have cats again, but when a stray showed up about 30 years ago and taught me that I was okay as long as I didn't touch my eyes, that gave me hope. I subsequently learned that I have no reaction to black/black & white cats, and the orange cats I've had are also non-allergenic. For me, grey tabbies are the worst, but even those I can tolerate if I keep them brushed and keep my hands washed.

Over the years I've had many cats. I used to let them sleep with me at night, quite a few at a time, but more recently I've been keeping my room cat-free at night. Pogo (black) is the only one allowed to nap with me during the day.

It has been well documented that certain cat colors affect some people's allergies more than other cat colors. I don't think it's the same for everyone, though; you might be just fine with grey tabbies, for instance.

ok have heard this solution...bathe kitty to remove the danders..not the most pleasent of jobs, but i assume if you start young enough, kitty might grow accustom to it? (well one can dream)

or bite the bullet and think puppy...several breeds are allergy-less...my dd1 has a cockapoo, and the kids seem to be doing ok...

My DD is that way--raised with cats, and dogs and kittens etc--no problems until after she was on her own and now is very allergic to cats.

Also, I've heard people recommend Allerpet-C. It goes on the cat.

I have had cats most of my adult life. I just have to be careful not to rub my eyes after I pet a cat.
There was a time when I was around 40 that when I would go to someone's house who had a cat, I would start wheezing and had to leave. In all cases the cats were locked in a bedroom while guests were around.
I live with 3 cats now.

My mother was allergic to cats but she let us get a kitten when we were children. She took antihistamines. After a while she built up an immunity to our cat but was still allergic to other cats. We didn't bath him or brush him a lot, though we did vacuum regularly and he didn't sleep on her bed.

My husband was allergic to cats when we got Frankie, a Ragdoll, which is a breed known to cause less allergic reactions in people. While Frank still make him wheeze, we took Frank (and, subsequently, when we got his half sister Lily 6 months later) to a groomer. The grooming worked wonders, and we slowly went from weekly to every other week to monthly visits and by then Jim wasn't allergic anymore.

Give it a try, and work something out with your groomer, Allerpet does work, we had them use that on Frankie and Lily as well.

Even though, cats are favorite pet animals for many people, the allergy to cat compels them to keep them away. Cat saliva turns into dander after being dried. It then spreads from cats to humans, furniture, clothes and everything the cats come in contact with.

So it's the cat spit that you are allergic to. I LOVE kitties!

Here is a link that might be useful: More about cat allergy

I'm another one who developed an allergy to cats. When I get a new cat, I know I'm in for months of red, itchy eyes and drippy nose, but eventually I get used to to the cat. The reaction doesn't go away, it just lessens, and I try to ignore it.

Have not read all of the posts so I apologize if this is a repeat.

I have heard that the allergy is usually to an enzyme in the cat's saliva, not the actual fur but because cats bath themselves, we all think it is the fur.

Not all cats have the allergy causing enzyme so you could have a potential pet tested but I would have no idea what that would cost or how much emotional havoc it would cause if the cat tested positive.

My last cat was a grey tabby. Solid white cats seem to be the worst for me. I am okay if I don't touch anywhere on my face, but not sure I could "risk" the fur/spit in the house. My mom still finds cat hair once in a while and Willie has been gone 15 years.

Teresa-who just really loves cats and whose girls are bugging her for a pet!

I met a woman who had two miscarriages and found out it was the cat. Got rid of it and had 2 kids with no problem at all.

Lurker here, but I finally have a contribution to make. I had cats as a child, but after I hit puberty, I developed a severe allergy to them. When I was around 30, someone abandoned a kitten on my Mom's front step and she asked me to find it a home. I couldn't resist petting the kitten (expecting to pay) but nothing happened. I kept the kitten and have had cats ever since. So yes, there is hope.

My wife is allergic to cats and dogs, but not every breed. Dogs with wooly hair like poodles to not affact her whereas many short hair cats affect her serverly.

Many, many years ago, a dermatologist did skin patch tests and found that she reacted to finely powered Mississippi river mud as found downstream of Davenport, IA. That find was a surprise. After applying patches in the test kit, he had one left over and thought, let's not waste it but use it too. Mississippi mud from a shoe was applied and it turned out positive - Go figure.