cat allergy or msg allergy?

[marie21]

I'm not sure if i'm allergic to a cat, MSG, or if I have a cold.

Here is the story. Over a week ago this stray cat started haning out at my house. I've been petting her and feeding her and thinking about adopting her. She has been living outside. My dad is very allergic to cats, so she can't live at my parents house... We set up a bed for her in that garage and i'm taking her to the vet today. I have noticed that my eyes get a litle itchy when i'm around her, but not bad.

Okay, yesterday I was at the movie theater and shortly after i ate the popcorn i felt like my throat was starting to swell up. My boyfriend dumped quite a bit of the flavored salt on it. The swelling wasn't horrible, but kinda uncomfortable and the swelling decreased after I got home and ate something else and drank some water. However, now i have a sore throat.

I'm also having some upper back pain on one side... but that could be from work...

So, what does this sound like. I've sneezed a few times and also have a bit of a runny nose. Maybe this is just a cold?

So any ideas... cat, cold, or MSG? Or maybe all three????

I don't have health insurance, and I can't afford to go to the doctor right now...

This cat is so sweet, I really want to keep her. She would live with my at my apartment if I'm not allergic to her.

Any input would be great!!!

 

[Titchou]

Well, I think you've got different things going on. The watery eyes around the cat is definitely a sign of cat allergy. You could try a Zyrtec (it's OTC so you don't have to see a doctor for it). It's very good with pet allergies. You might also try to get it a bath (though bathing cats is rather difficult) as it might be something on it since it's a stray.

As for the popcorn thing, it could be the corn or MSG or something else in the product. That's so full of additives I don't know if you'd ever be able to determine what it was.