Cat Allergies

[Uabassoon]

Since I've moved to Arizona I've had problem with allergies, but this year is the worst. My allergies led to a nasty bronchial infection that I am still recovering from. One of the things I've developed an allergy to is cats. So I was wondering if anyone else is allergic to their cats and how they deal with it. The last week I've been sleeping over at a friends house until I get over the infection and I've been put on allergy medication as well as given an inhalor. The doctor recommends that I don't let Corkscrew and Tibby into my room anymore, but I can see that being a huge problem. So if anyone else here is allergic to their pets and can maybe share some tips on how to deal with it, i would greatly appreciate it.

[aguu]

Ubassoon.... I was born (or so they tell me) with severe allergies to animals. ALL animals and so as child couldn't even have a hamster or visit people with cats or dogs. I have never been within a 100 meters of a horse! My allergies manifest themselves as wheezing and eventually an asthma attack....
I went to one specialist to another and they all told me the same thing - you can never have a pet and don't even bother with shots because STILL you won't be able to have a pet. Years ago a neighbors cat started to came in to my house. I would let him out when I started to wheeze but to my delight his visits became longer and longer and my allergies less and less severe!! Well, it has been years now and he ended up living with me permanently. Eventually got another one!! (I lost them both but that's another story..)
So.. my advice to you would be - make sure you're all better and your bronchial infection is all cleared up (otherwise you'll end up with a chronic cough and shortness of breath). When you're all better - if you can get used to you kitties again slowly. Try NOT to sleep with them for a while. make sure you use your inhaler and if you can take an antihistamine or ask you doctor about Flonase.
But don't give up. I truly believe that our bodies can build up their own "immunity" to allergens.
Good luck. (I'm not sure if I was any help at all but I sympathize!)

[carole]

Hi there , i have been allergic to cats for over 18 years, had them all my life, then all of a sudden it just happened, i would go to my mums, and the cat would not even be inside, and i would get the real itchy inflamed eyes and throat and sneeze.
Well i now have two cats of my own, kinda adopted my first stray,after much pressure from my young daughter, i was very worried how i would react, and to be honest my cats are everywhere and sleep on the end of our bed, not in it though, that has to be off limits, because of my allergy, i have somehow managed to desensitize my allergy by putting myself amongst them, and i am so happy as i adore cats, it has not disappeared alltogether, and i still do get periods when my eyes itch and swell, and i suffer from hayfever, infact this season was my worst, they say the pollens were released late and all at once and i believe it, i take anti-histimanes, non drowsy kind when it gets real bad, but for me having the cats has made the allergy way better, i hope the same can be for you, good luck, let me know how u get on ok:)

[K & L]

I've read if you bathe them regularly this will help with allergies. They said it's actually the dander that cause the allergy, so if you bathe them it keeps this at a minimum.

[aguu]

...AND you should keep your home well ventilated.
And air purifier REALLY helps. Put filters in your air vents. If you can vacuum every week!!
And this may sound kooky but I find my asthma and allergies have almost disappeared since I've started yoga
and and pilates (something to do with expanding your lungs)

[jenluckenbach]

I am not allergic (thank goodness) but I know some helpful things. First, keeping the cat out of the bedroom is important. (But hard, I know). Second, bathing of the cats and you could try an anti-allergy liquid that your cats get wiped down with (Allercat comes to mind, check pet stores). Third, hepa filters.........on the vacuum, on the heating system (well Tuscan, maybe not) on an air purifier. Also things like do not rub your face or eyes after petting the cat without washing your hands first. Hope these things help.

[carole]

yes jens helpful hints are worthwhile , might use them myself, but jen i cant keep the puddytats out of the bedroom, i know i should but i just cannot do it, i will just suffer in silence lol

[carole]

u know at one stage i could not even considered going to the cat show, now i have no problem at all, so heres hoping your allergy gets better as mine has

[NoahsMommy]

I take Allegra....but I've found that I've developed an immunity to our cats. The only time it gets bad is spring or if they acidently cut me with their claws. I too, am usually highly allergic.

They have that new air purifyer now that I heard wonderful things about. It will also help with any asthmatic things you are dealing with.

I've also been hearing wonderful things about the allergy nasal spray as a way of PREVENTING allergies....I totally forget its name....but I've heard that after taking it for a while, your allergies go away.

You can also use a hepa filter in your air conditioner/heater as well as your vacume cleaner.

Ventalation is very important as well.

I know you favor your limbs, so bathing your cats may not be an option yourself, but maybe you could have them groomed. This really helps my allergies with Noah (our only long-haired cat). Brushing them will also minimize the number of hairs floating in the air.

Hope you get better soon. Take care and let us know if anything is working for you.

[carole]

i use a spray in the nose called beconaze for my allergy in spring, its got to be used for a while before u get any results.

[jenluckenbach]

Kelly, I bet you're thinking of Flonase

[Uabassoon]

Thanks for your help/suggestions. Tonight will be my first night home in a few nights so I guess we'll see how I feel in the morning. RIght now my sheets are being washed in hot water which is supposed to help. It's just weird how I never had allergies before especially to cats because I've always had them then slowly over the last few years since i moved here I've been developing an allergy to them. But I'm going to stay on Allegra and hopefully that will help.

[aklor]

hello... fellow tucson resident... (I've lived in AZ most of my life) just so you know the past few weeks have been much worse for pollen/anything airborne allergies than I can remember for a long time...

I'm definately allergic to my cats (have been allergic to just about everything as long as I can remember)... so I bathe them regularly with special cat shampoo (2-3 times a month)... one way to make bathing easier is to put a screen down in the tub, they tense up and their claws get stuck and they can't move nearly as much (A friend of mine uses this and swears it works wonders-I started with mine as kittens so they take it ok, but that's not always an option)
brush them frequently and try to vacuum often with a Hepa-filter vacuum. And they do make special air filters for A/C which filter out allergens/smoke etc that you can get at home depot or wherever for about 3 times the price of regular but worth it

And even if you can't keep them out of the bedroom, make sure they can't get on the sheets and especially the pillows

good luck!

[Edwina's Secretary]

I am allergic to cats (as well as many other things.) The allergy really developed in my 20's.

My husband wanted a cat. Two rather serious asthma attacks later, I've learned to live with it.

Here are some things....

Edwina seems to understand not to get around my face. I've accepted I cannot bury my face in her fur.

NEVER touch your eyes after petting a cat before washing your hands.

Allegra, Claritin, Flonase -- any of these histamine blockers are a godsend.

Wash your bedding frequently -- sheets, blanket, mattress pad and pillows. Most foam pillows can go in the washer and dryer. Just watch closely while it's in the dryer.

Brush the cat frequently -- outside. Even better is for someone else to brush the cat frequently and outside.

If you smoke -- stop. (This made a huge difference...duh!)

Air filters are great if you have a fairly contained living space.

(BTW....I had more upper respiratory problems in Tucson than anywhere else. Are there still alot of olive trees around? Those can cause severe allergies too!)

[Catsnclay]

I'm sure Tucson is just as bad as Phoenix, because both my husband & I have been suffering since Feburary! Both of us are allergic to cats, and we have 3. One word: Flonase. That is all I can tell you! :) The Doctor gave it to both of us this year, and I swear it works!! We still have attacks, but they are very few and far between and we are able to keep the doors & windows open AND snuggle with the cats at night. Hang in there though, because it doesn't work overnight, but in time you will see a difference.

Good luck! :D