Family reunion attendees shame Reddit user for leaving early due to dog allergies: "I couldn't take it anymore"

Both an etiquette expert and an allergist agreed that a woman who left a family party early after a dog unexpectedly brought to the event triggered her allergies was completely right to do so, according to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Dreamyassistant" posted on Reddit's "Am I the A--hole" page on July 15, asking if they were wrong for leaving a family reunion early due to their cousin's unannounced pet.

The woman mentioned in the post that her husband's family hosts annual reunions, which are significant events where they all catch up, play games, and enjoy each other's company.

Despite not mentioning a dog would be present at the reunion, her husband's relative got one, which she loves and takes everywhere.

Seeing the dog running around at the reunion made Dreamyassistant feel anxious due to her severe dog allergy.

She said, "I gently reminded my cousin about my allergy, hoping she would understand and keep the dog in a separate area."

"She became defensive because she forgot about my allergy, but later informed me that she would keep the dog away."

The dog, however, apparently did not stay away.

"The woman wrote in her post that she tried to participate in the activities, but within an hour, she was already sneezing and her eyes were itching terribly. Unable to bear it any longer, she told her husband she had to leave."

Her husband suggested she try to stick it out, but dreamyassistant decided to leave, much to her husband's family's chagrin.

"They criticized me for 'overreacting' and 'ruining the fun,'" she stated.

"They gave me a hard time for ‘overreacting’ and ‘ruining the fun.'"

She said, "I returned home feeling frustrated and excluded."

"After leaving my husband there, a family member drove him home. Later, I received a series of texts from his aunt accusing me of being dramatic and saying that my departure made everyone uncomfortable."

Her husband also felt caught in the middle, as he was "frustrated," according to dreamyassistant.

He expressed disappointment in my decision to leave early and made it clear that he thought I should have tried harder to manage my allergies for the sake of family unity, which made dreamyassistant feel even more isolated.

Though others in the family did not understand my situation, they still said that I did the right thing by prioritizing my health.

She expressed her conflict because she dislikes the prospect of creating family discord and an uncomfortable circumstance with her spouse, but she also believes her concerns were justified.

"Pet allergen can stay suspended in the air for up to two months."

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to dreamyassistant for an update.

An allergist and an etiquette expert both advised Planet Chronicle Digital that the woman was justified in leaving the event due to her allergies becoming unmanageable.

Even if a pet is removed from the home, a pet allergen can remain suspended in the air for up to two months, according to Dr. Tania Elliott, a New York-based board-certified allergist, in an email to Planet Chronicle Digital.

She advised that taking allergy medication at least 30 minutes to an hour before exposure is ideal, but "you can take it as soon as symptoms start."

Rosalinda Randall, a California-based etiquette expert, concurred, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health first for dreamyassistant.

Randall stated in an email that when we face a situation that may impact our well-being, we should act promptly, without disrupting or causing drastic changes to the host.

Even though you politely asked if the dog could be restrained, it continued to have free rein.

Randall stated that it is not their concern if the woman leaves the party and takes medication, as they have no complaints or suggestions regarding it.

"It is unfortunate that many people disregarded the importance of privacy and turned [this] health condition into a public matter."

Most Reddit users agreed that the person should prioritize their own health during an allergic reaction rather than staying around. Out of the 300 replies, the majority suggested taking care of oneself.

What was the purpose of staying at a party when feeling sick, miserable, and suffering? "CheerilyTerrified" expressed their frustration with people believing that anti-histamines can instantly cure any allergy in the top reply to the post.

Antihistamines can alleviate allergy symptoms, but they don't cure the condition.

The same commenter stated that the husband's disregard for your feelings was unacceptable, and it seems that he values his wife's unhappiness more than his family's well-being.

"What's the point of family unity without love and caring?"

If family unity was so important, why didn't the family put the dog in a location where it had food, water, and shade but couldn't escape? If they weren't willing to do that, they, not [dreamyassistant], were failing to prioritize family unity.

Others weighed in as well.

Those without allergies lack comprehension of how debilitating it can be. TV commercials provide unrealistic expectations on antihistamines' effectiveness. Therefore, they are ignorant," said user "ludditesunlimited.

People shared their own experiences of allergies and the confusion surrounding severe allergies.

ScroochDown stated that they have a severe rabbit allergy and a Benadryl will enable them to quickly pass a rabbit. Afterward, they can purchase enough time to return home and thoroughly shower before taking a nap. No other allergy medications will work, and if they remain, they will eventually experience an asthma attack.

Despite trying various allergy medications, I am still unable to be near a rabbit, even outdoors.

"Despite receiving allergy shots, being able to walk through a room with a rabbit in it is an improvement from my previous state."