Does anyone know about allergies to cats? Any doctors here??

[stargirl0412]

Hi, I'm looking to rent a room in a house or flat share in London to save money.

I went to see a great place today - it has just the space I want, I got on great with the homeowner - it's by the Tube and has everything I want. But it has three cats!

(In my advert I stated I was allergic to cats, the homeowner didn't bother to read to the end of my ad unfortunately - and didn't mention she had cats - so a viewing was arranged.)

Now I loved this place - but my allergy is really bad - my eyes itch and stream, face swells up and I think that even my throat gets affected, and it makes my asthma worse - if I come into contact with a cat.

She said I could move in temporarily and see how it goes if I stay away from the cats and lock my room so they can't get in. My pal, a nurse, thinks I should give it a go, just to take my antihistamines.

Is it a really bad idea? Please be brutal if you wish!

Thanks

my grandmother was very allergic to cats, but after living at ours for three months, she stopped reacting to our cat, but still had reactions to other cats,

but I think you are optimistic to expect to develop a tolerance to three different cats at the same time,

you could give it a go,

but there must be cat free places out there to rent, far less painful.

Yes I am allergic to cats, tried antihistamines, homeopathy, nothing really worked until I got two cats - doh! First few weeks I was very wheezy and itchy, but I did eventually develop an immunity. I have since had other cats and been fine with them. So you may find the same....but it's a bit of a risk, and as an asthmatic is it worth the risk?

As you have asthma, I would caution against. Some allergic people (e.g. DH) do acquire immune tolerance to cats etc but others (e.g. SIL) don't and their asthma becomes much worse. As the poster above says, it is a risk. A severe asthma attack is scary.

It took me 3 months of horrible asthma.
Still get the occasional sneeze when he's moulting!
For me it is worth it as I love cats and this means I can also stay with/ be around other cats too.

You will get used to it and the allergy will go. Mine did with our cat. Now we don't have her and I'm allergic again when I go to my friend's house who has two!