Advice for dealing with cat allergies?

[mina.magpie]

Does anybody have advice for dealing with cat allergies in a natural way? I love kitties but can't have them in the house 'cause I DIE. *Urkhgurrrrgle.* I don't want to use anti-histamines though 'cause they really don't accord well with me either.

Any ideas?

Mina.

[Jeatyn]

When I first got cats I felt like I was dying for ages, it gradually got better though. I guess my lungs got used to being full of hair all the time  My love of cats outweighed my love of breathing. I've had 7 during my life and will be getting more. Crazy cat person right here 

I only take my allergy pills when things get really bad. I also have inhalers. I also take a herb called echinacea, it's meant to help with asthma and things like that, I don't know if it helps but I feel like it does and that's what counts.

This probably seems obvious, but vacuuming at least once a day and opening windows to keep the place fresh definitely helps; and brushing the cats to get rid of loose hair so it doesn't end up in the carpets and in the air. Don't let the hair build up. And definitely don't get those super fluffy cats, that's just asking for trouble 

I don't take this advice, but if you keep the cats out of your bedroom you will be able to sleep just fine. I let the cats sleep on the bed and usually wake up feeling like death because of the allergies.

[Selene]

a lint roller is your friend as well!

[Lisbeth]

Mrauw?

[Rachael]

Solving alergies?











Shoot the cat.

[Nero]

No. I have to wash my hands and change my shirt every time I touch my cat.
It was easy to deal in my youth but now that I'm older, it's really become a problem. I love my cat but don't think I'll get another when he passes (he's elderly). It's sad though, I really love cats, just my face breaks out in hives if they get near it.

[Nero]

I'd also like to add that I have a lot of guilt because I can't spend as much time with him as I'd like. it's just too hard. His hair is toxic to me almost.
I have heard of certain prescription meds that help it though. So you could try those. But if you cant find a way to put the allergy into remission, and you get a cat - pretty soon it will be such a hassle to have to wash your face and hands and change clothes everytime you pet him. So you won't be able to give him as much as you wish and you could end up feeling awful like me.

So sorry Mina. I know how much you love them. Me too.

[Shana A]

Unfortunately the best solution is probably not to have cats 

Z

[mina.magpie]

I have noticed since going vegan that I seem to have a better tolerance for cat and dog hair. I still get terrible hayfever eventually, but it's not nearly as bad or as quick as it was. Sadly though it hasn't been a cure. Sigh. Maybe I should just change my avatar to a kittie again. Close as it seems I'm gonna get.

Mina.

[TamTam]

Aren't there hypoallergenic cats?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy#Hypoallergenic_cats

And they're not all the hairless kind!

[tekla]

I guess shaving the cats, or wrapping them in plastic is not going to work?

[Arch]

I guess this won't help you much if you already have the cats, but it might help in the future. I have three cats. I am allergic to only one of them. So perhaps you just need to pick out the right model next time.

Oh, and Claritin worked pretty well for me when my allergies were raging.

[tinkerbell]

Unfortunately if you want kitties in your house, there is nothing (except for medication) that will help you with allergies.  My allergies are very severe.  I was on Seldane many moons ago before the FDA removed it from the market.  *sigh*  Hence, I was left with Allegra, a similar drug which helps a lot but will never compare to Seldane IMO.

tink

[Windrider]

Yeah, I'm allergic to cats too. I found that I could handle one, long haired cat, hence we have Bailey. Longer haired cats tend not to spread their dander as much as short haired cats. You can acclimate yourself to your cat, but that will take time. I still need to wash my hands after playing with Bailey.

I'll be on Zyrtec and inhalers for the rest of my life due to allergies. Not much else can help unfortunately. Without the drugs I get repeated sinus infections and I've ruptured an eardrum due to one backing up into my ears.

Sorry!

WR

[Lisbeth]

Solving alergies?
Shoot the cat.

*spits loudly and shows fangs*

[Osiris]

The only way I know of is not having any. My family had always had cats up until I was 16 and we're all much better off without them. Sucks cause I do like cats, but I'll like them from a distance.

[Ell]

I guess shaving the cats, or wrapping them in plastic is not going to work?

Heheh.

this solution is very extreme, but here goes: give up coffee drinking.

[mina.magpie]

Without the drugs I get repeated sinus infections and I've ruptured an eardrum due to one backing up into my ears.

>_< Oooh yeah. I had those, along with bronchitis, all the time growing up. That's cleared up 'cause of the veganism, but I still suffer from allergic reactions, sadly. So then, it sounds like I will have to take drugs. Oh well ... Thanks everybody!

Mina.

[Rachael]

Solving alergies?
Shoot the cat.

*spits loudly and shows fangs*

*reloads and fires again*

[mina.magpie]

Solving alergies?
Shoot the cat.

*spits loudly and shows fangs*

*reloads and fires again*

I take it you're more of a dog person huh?

Mina.