Allergic to cats -- and tired of avoiding them

[Joanne_C]

My asthma has two main triggers -- exercise and cats. I am able to control the reaction to exercise by using my inhaler (Albuterol) before I exercise. The cats, however, are a worse trigger. I recently went to a party at a house with a cat, and even though I used my inhaler and I only stayed for an hour, I wheezed for the better part of a day afterwards. One friend who has a cat suggested I take an antihistamine before going to her house, but that seems like it would only help with nasal congestion, not with wheezing. I am frustrated at having to avoid invitations from friends who have cats. Any suggestions?

[Titchou]

Absolutely take the antihistamine and I suggest zyrtec. I'm allergic to cats (my #2 worst allergy the last time I was tested) and I sleep with a 14 pound longhair...I've had the shots too but could sleep with him before if I took my zyrtec.

[chuzzlewit]

Not a suggestion, but here's my story. My grandma always had tons of cats at her farm, and I would love to go there and play with them, but I would always get the typical allergic responses. When I got my own place ~15yrs ago, I went out and got a cat, a very nice cat who would love to sleep on my bed. I wheezed and was terribly short of breath for 2-3 weeks. However, I never considered going to a doctor or getting rid of the cat (or even banning her from the bed). In retrospect, very stupid behavior, I was literally gasping for air. Anyway, in a month or two the symptoms completely subsided and I still have 2 cats to this day with no problems at all. Due to springtime outdoor allergies, I've been to 2 allergists who have tested me and informed me I am highly alergic to grass, weeds, cats, etc. When I inform them I have 2 cats which cause me no trouble, they look at me like I'm a complete nutcase.

[gort]

I had similar results from an allergy test and I got weekly shots for them for a while. Now, I take unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon in a glass of water every day) and it eliminated my itchy red eyes and congestion that I used to wake up to. It works better than the shots did. I have 2 cats and a bird--allergic to both in a mild way, but symptoms are gone.

[kwun]

Originally Posted by Joanne_C

My asthma has two main triggers -- exercise and cats. I am able to control the reaction to exercise by using my inhaler (Albuterol) before I exercise. The cats, however, are a worse trigger. I recently went to a party at a house with a cat, and even though I used my inhaler and I only stayed for an hour, I wheezed for the better part of a day afterwards. One friend who has a cat suggested I take an antihistamine before going to her house, but that seems like it would only help with nasal congestion, not with wheezing. I am frustrated at having to avoid invitations from friends who have cats. Any suggestions?

will you consider wearing a good and comfortable surgical mask(made by kimberely clark or 3M) when you visit a friend with cat...well, a good surgical mask will filter most of the irritants from air...just let your friends know that you have asthma and are allegic to cats but you really want to spend time with them without getting into trouble