Awww crap. Cat allergy!

[MissClareRemembers]

We’ve just adopted a beautiful cat. She’s lovely and the DCs adore her. I’m asthmatic but have it under control.

I always had cats as a child and it was no problem however now I have a horrible feeling I’m allergic to her! I’ve had a virus since a few weeks before we collected her so I thought it was just that lingering on, but now I’m not so sure.

The DCs will be gutted if we have to return her. Is there anything I can do?? I bought some anti-histamines today.

My only advice is to take antihistamines and get a good vacuum cleaner and hope for the best, but I'm not allergic to my cat so hopefully someone has good advice

Take an anti histamine for a few days and see if your symptoms improve.

It is possible to get skin prick allergy tests to see if you really are allergic. Have you spent any time with other cats in the last few years, and if so how did you react?

Is there any evidence to suggest that it's not just a virus lingering?

Skin tests are the best way to officially confirm it. A pet-friendly hoover is your friend, as is grooming the cat often to prevent too much build up of dander (get the DCs to do this outside so you don't swell up like a plum pudding).

I had always been allergic to cats until I adopted my first. For about 2 weeks I suffered with my usual symptoms - puffy itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose etc and had to manage with my 1 a day allergy tablets then one day I ran out of tablets but still didnt have any symptoms so I left it for a while, never needed them again, turns out I built immunity and I am no longer allergic yay!

I have been around cats for a couple of days in the past few years. There wasn’t any reaction. I’ve had cars sitting on my lap too and again no reaction. But I’m wondering if it’s a slow build up sort of thing?

My virus has just about gone but I noticed today that my throat felt a bit tight and my eyes felt as dry and a bit stingy.

Have taken an antihistamine now and will play it by ear.

It is very possible to build immunity to allergies, even though it's a pain at the time give it a couple of weeks before you make any decisions. Hope that helps!

Antihistamines, lots of damp dusting, hoovering, brushing and keep out of bedroom.

I'm allergic to ours, it's a proper pain in the arse but despite the above its just getting worse.

My friend was allergic to cats once so every cat she saw she would rub on her face and it cleared up.... Apparently. I'm not tempted to try it

MissHolly you’ve given me hope!

She’s got to stay inside for another week or so. So I’ll get the DCs to groom her outside then.

I am allergic to cats but not all cats. Weird I know. Don’t rush the decision. Petal cleanse can apparently help. Damp dust. Reduce volume of soft furnishings. Wash hands after touching and keep them off your bed. (No I haven’t managed the last one! )

If you are allergic it may not mean the cat needs rehomed just yet. My DH is asthmatic and highly allergic to cats (came top of his prick test).
I ended up caring for an orphaned two week old kitten with the view to finding her a home if she survived. Well she survived and she never got a new home. She's 4 and the apple of DH's eye (and he is NOT a cat person!).
His allergy is still bad with other cats and he can't touch his eyes after handling her directly or they'll itch and go red but he is fine around our own home. No need for antihistamines any more.

Air purifier with an ioniser. You won’t need to dust as much either.

Another thing to add is if you do want to build immunity then to try and expose yourself to it more often without antihistamines, if you are constantly protecting yourself then it will be a never ending cycle so you may have to endure the symptoms but then take the tablets after an hour or so.

My DS & I are both allergic to cats, but after a few weeks it disappears. We are sometimes a bit allergic when we get back from 2 weeks away.