Contamination anxiety

[Sarahsuz123]

Hi mummy’s, I need a bit of rational/logical advice! I’ve been experiencing some contamination anxiety around chemicals, specifically about the cats flea treatment. Anyway, I haven’t been using it, so the cat got fleas! So I faced my fears, but the cats stuff on outside and wore gloves! Then shipped the cat off to my parents for a couple of weeks while it dried. I know it’s a bit extreme. Anyway, I was worried, so I filled the gloves with water to make sure they didn’t have holes in them as the cat brushed by me and may have transferred a little of the stuff onto the glove. No holes, I was happy, all ok. I’ve just had a thought that has scared me.....I used quite a lot of water filling the gloves and got a bit splashed. I’m worrying that the water that splashed on my shoes may have contained the chemical, and my little boy may have touched the shoes!! Is this a little extreme!? My husband says it’s not logical, bu my anxiety can’t see that. Help!! thank you x

It's incredibly extreme! I treat our animals for fleas regularly and have never even considered 'contamination', and I have an 8mo baby.

What do you mean by contamination? Flea treatment in domestic doses isn't harmful to humans.

Are you seeing a doctor for anxiety? It sounds like it's becoming a bit of an obsession and impacting your daily life. If you haven't already, I'd recommend speaking to someone

Very extreme, op. I use a spot on flea treatment and prevention, just squeeze it on back of neck, every month and a similar thing for worms, every three months. It's dry in no time but in any case, it's only a little bit. Far better than the cats having fleas which carry the larvae of the tapeworm.

Thank you. I really appreciate your responses. I have used it for years, and never worried about it. Then I started worrying about my little boy being exposed to it as my partner put it on once and didn’t keep my little one away from the cat afterwards, which is what started the worry. So I haven’t let us use it since! Now it has become an obsession. I saw my gp who diagnosed me with postnatal anxiety over it. I have tried to make sure my little one isn’t exposed to it, but keep worrying about the water issue! Which my husband says is completely not logical. But try telling my anxious brain that!

Just put the stuff on the cat at night, it will be fine as long as it isn't pouring with rain outside and the cat goes out in the rain (one of mine does); It will be dry by the time you all 'come to' in the morning.

They do dry quickly.

My cat are wrigglers and hate the spot on being put on and a few times i have got it on my hands. Which I wash off with soap and water straight away and no harm has come to me yet.

I have anxiety and have been on medication now for a while and it has helped me loads maybe speak to your doctor about your anxieties .