I am really bummed, I'm allergic to cats. I am not allergic to any other animals. Why is it that I am allergic to some cats far more then other cats? I have also been around two cats that never bothered me. My symtoms are:Have a very hard time breathing (feels like my lungs fill up with liquid), and my eyes swell shut. Also what allergy medications have you found to help cat allergies? I have allegra, but it doesn't help me at all. Thanks in advance http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by AshLin (edited 09-09-2002).]

I'm bumping this topic up... There has to be someone out there that is also allergic to cats, and has found a good sllergy drug.

Thanks

Hi,

For allergies like this, if you want to use the conventional then try taking an anti-histamine tablet. Something like Benadryl will work within 10 to 15 mins and you should get relief. However, if you want to use a more natural alternative, then use the homeopathic remedy Apis in a 6 or 30c. This is very effective for allergies such as you describe. It will not harm you in any way and will not make you drowsy. When you first get the allergy symptoms after going near a cat, take one pill and let is dissolve under your tongue. Wait ten mins and take another, then wait another ten mins and take another. If it is the right remedy and it works, your symptoms should start to abate.

Other than that, try and avoid contact with cats.

Hope this helps?

For those of you with kitty allergies, I have found a miracle drug that works for me: Zyrtec. My husband got a cat and a dog early in our marriage, and I was so violently allergic that I was taking allergy shots once a week and we were constantly bathing the animals, vacuuming, and cleaning. I took over-the-counter Teldrin occasionally - it worked OK but knocked me out. It wasn't an option during the workday. Finally I changed doctors and she put me on Zyrtec, and it gave me immediate relief. One pill a day, and no more sneezing! I had tried Claritin and Allegra and they had no impact at all. Zyrtec is so great - you can even take it when you're pregnant and there is a version for kids as young as 2 if your child is allergic. I even got another cat. Don't get rid of your kitties until you try Zyrtec! I hope it works as well for everyone that it does for me. (When I tell people that Zyrtec saved my marriage, they think I'm joking. But I'm not!)

Ashlin,
I'm allergic to some cats. When I was young we always had cats and as far as I know they never bothered me. About 10 years ago I found my eyes swellig up every time I visited my parents house it took me some time to realize that my mothers cat was the problem. I stopped playing with the cat and found my eyes did not swell. So I now avoid touching cats and this works for me.
So take Super Sarah's advice and avoid contact with cats.

Portmen

Ashlin,
I have the same problem as you since I was 15 years old. What I have learned about it (that actually cured me - no wait, cure apparently, will never happen-it prevented this situation)is what my doctor said and perscribed.

Unfortunatelly, you have like me allergic asthma. Have you even done the allergy test with the patches on your skin? Maybe you are allergic to other stuff too. The thing that irritates you, is the cat's fur. The fluffier the cat, the more severe your sysmptoms. The dirtier the cat, once again the same for you. It is very sad to say that you will have to keep your space (house , office, and so on) CLEAR from cats. It appears that their fur and the organisms they carry (called here akaria) can stay in a place that a cat used to live, for about 1 year on. Avoid rugs and carpets, keep your sheets fresh and 100% cotton and also you should take medication if your symptoms are severe and have 'staying power'! You have to watch it because if you leave this untreated, it can lead to real asthma.
If you go to your doctor, he/she will perscribe medication (the inhaler style) and some pills (maybe). Mine gave me 2 inhalers : one for accute relieve if I have symptoms, and one for chronic relieve of the allergy!

I love cats and used to live with them, but now I have to stay away!
I don't think antihistamines or zyrtec will help you (I have tried them before going to the doctor) and besides they're not so "light" as drugs anyway! You shouldn't take them on your own!

I hoped I have helped you some!

Thanks for reading and good luck!

------------------
Erica

Thanks for all the replies..

I need to make an appointment to see my doctor and explain that Allegra doesn't work for me, and I will check into Zyrtec. I am also curious about the patches to test my allergies.

I really wish I could have a cat, but if I can't then oh well... I will always have my dogs.