cat allergies

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interstate495

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I just found out today I am allergic to cats I have 4 and do not want to get rid of them, I see the doctor next week, has anybody been on any prescribed medication for cat allergies, I am buying a new vacuum especially for pet dander and having them groomed.

Thanks:)
 
I have just found out I am allergic to my 3 whippets. I cannot understand it as one is 7 years. I have just bought a dyson animal (brilliant). Also, you can get something to rub on their fur once a week for dogs and cats, this stops the allergens from being released. It is an impossible situation to be in, I adore my dogs, but obviously if my allergies cause me to have bad asthma I will have to consider parting with 2 of them as it is difficult to keep 3 dogs if you have an allergy. Try and keep your cats confined to certain rooms and buy an air purifier, this may help.
 
Good luck with the cat allergies! I am extremely allergic to cats. I have to take Zyrtec or allegra and get allergy shots. I just plain ole have to stay away from cats. I haven't found anything natural yet that works for my allergies. Hang in there!
 
Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply
I also bought a Dyson DC 25 animal, it picks up so much more than a regular vacuum.
I am keeping them out of the bedroom and one of rooms downstairs, I have booked them in the groomers and see the doctor next week.
I don't come out in hives, but I do always feel congested and have problems with ears and what feels like sinus issues but they x-rayed them and said they were clear.
so hopefully these steps will help, we certainly love are pets, I wonder if they would keep us if they were allergic to humans! Ha Ha :)
 
I've got severe cat allergies as well. Nothing really totally helps. There are things you can do to help. Vacuuming with the filter helps some. Having the cats bathed weekly. Not allowing the cats into your bedroom and changing your clothes outside your room so you don't bring allergens into your bedroom. Use a neti-pot to rinse your nasal passages regularly. I also found saline sprays helped some.

There is also a more homeopathic treatment out there, more limited, called NAET that I've had frienRAB who had success with. You might want to search to find out more on it.

Zyrtec is supposed to be the best for cat allergies. I typically took Allegra. I've also found that Astelin also helped me a bunch. I took it in addition to the Allegra, Flonase and Singulair. Also, immunotherapy can help as well. That can take a year or more to really start having a difference be seen. At least that is the way it was for me.

Outside of that, I had to make a choice as to how much I wanted to suffer vs. my love for my pets. Not an easy decision. I lived with it for years, then I developed bad asthma with the allergies and decided my health was priority. Immediate family took care of the cats though.
 
interstate.. that's just like me.. I have allergies to cats and live with four as well!
Best thing I can say is to keep up after them by cleaning. One thing to note however, when you are allergic to an animal it has nothing to do with the fur, but their dander, saliva, and apparently even components in their urine. I don't think baths actually do much good, I would suggest using those allergy wipes and wipe them down maybe once a week (mine can't stand them). I also have a good HEPA room filter in our bedroom and use the allergy filters in the home air system.
 
I have allergies to cats too - about 55% of the population does - that actually makes them slightly more allergic to most people than poison ivy. Wonder why they don't call cats poisonous? When, I was younger, i would have severe reactions - runny nose itchy watering eyes, swelling of the eyes. I had relatives that had 2 cats or more that i would visit- when i first got there for the first 3-7 days i would have very bad allergies and after about 2 weeks they would get less severe as if the body would get some immunity. - each time i visited seemed a little less or shorter time before i got some relief. I met my wife she had a cat, when we moved together she insisted on bringing the cat with her against all my wishes. Well, I fell in love with the cat- we sleep together - i still have to be careful when the cat touches or wants to rub near my face. i wash my hanRAB perpetually - before eating and touching my face.. sometimes i have sneezing attacks - i just rinse my nose with water. keeps the inflammation down- as well as - nasal steroiRAB. i find i am more sensitive to the cat during seasonal allergy times. after about 3 years with the cat - i almost don't have any problems - unless i let her near my face. i sleep in bed with her - i hold her - just neeed to wash my hanRAB often before eating and touching nose and eyes. I almost dont notice she is here other than if she is in my face. If you do get a sneezing attack, wash your nasal passages. once they get inflamed they well give you big trouble. The only other thing i can say is i think my cat is slightly less allergenic then most -she is not fixed. and i also hear that female cats are less allergenic. other than this - she is not an american cat she comes from mid central asia..

Oh - i find that some cat litters make a big difference too. We had one that killed me. another - just natural clay was a lot better. but i actually found one by accident i think actually nuetralizes some allergens. its has a fragrance even and made for multiple cats.. - its a cheap one i buy at kroger
 
When my allergy doctor asked if the cat could stay outside the bedroom, I replied that I have a 10 x 13 color portrait of the cat made by a pet photographer. He then replied "I guess we find a way to let him stay in the bedroom." My kind of doc! Lots of zyrtec, rhinocort, saline spray and allergy shots later, the cat is 14 and still sleeps in the bed with me. And he's a long haired, part Maine Coon - the worst kind of fur.
 
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