Hi there,

I'm new to this board. I have no allergies, but my boyfriend Ben, who stays with me often, has allergies and asthma.

And I have Cats. (YIKES)

I absolutely can not get rid of my cats. They have been a part of my life for years, and they are my family! And besides, he says there is no way he would let me anyway. Which is good!

I vacuum as often as I have time to (twice a week or so) to help him, although with spring here, he's really struggling extra.

So it's time for me to ask you experts out there. I'm completely ignorant as to what to do. I'm planning on going out to buy an air filter... can you give me suggestions? Any other suggestions to help make my house a little more "Ben-Friendly"?

THANK YOU!




I X-posted in the asthma board as well.

Is he allergic to the cats or what they bring in on their fur?

He will know. If it is environmental allergies. Make your cats indoor only. Keep 'em off the furniture and only allow them access to certain areas of your house. Out of the bedroom especially.

1) Look into allergin covers for your beds and pillows in addition to allergen air filters.
2) There are also sprays that can be applied to the carpet and furniture to trap an minimize the release of allergins, Fabreeze makes one.. but I here allercare makes better ones.
3) Bath your cats regularly, do not add perfumes or deodorizers. It is their spit that produces the dander that cat allergies stem from.
4) An air purifier like an ionic breeze can help as well.
5) Of note allergies are genetically dominant. If one parent has it.. the children are 80% likely to have allergies as well. My children are screwed. My husband and I both cover the spectrum of allergies.

Also look into hypoallergenic cats when you go to replace yours after passing. I know sounds wierd, but some do not have the effect that others do. My himalayan is hypoallergenic. I have many cat allergy sufferers that have no reaction what so ever to my cat (completely indoor and happy as long as my 4 yr old doesn't try to pick her up by the tail).

Hope this helps.

Cat friendly,
MG

This is a huge help. Thank you so much! I really appreciate your input!

What does he take for his allergies? I recommend Zyrtec - it's great for most peole with pet allergies. Since he has allergies and asthma, has he considered immunotherapy?

I'm not sure what immunotherapy is, but I'll ask him. Maybe it's something to consider? I'll look into it.

He has an inhaler, not sure what kind, and I believe he takes Allegra?

I'll have him look into these things.

Allegra doesn't work very well for pet allergies. Zyrtec really is the best. Immunotherapy is allergy injections.

Second vote for Zyrtec.
MG

Zyrtec really is the best for cat allergies. Back in 2001 I rescued Sevena, a shorthair female manx kitty that I ended up keeping despite my allergies. I hardly had any problems with her - she even slept with me at night. I thought I had built up immunity over the years. I was soooo happy!

Then when I brought home Mr. M, my longhair male, all hell broke loose in my sinuses. I was extremely sick. I completely freaked out because I loved him already and didn't want to have to give him up. So a nurse friend of mine told me to try Zyrtec, and I did. Allergies cleared up INSTANTLY.

I really can't say enough good things about Zyrtec - I have been on it for 5 years now and it has never failed me.