If your baby was allergic to cats, how did you know?

[closingtime101]

My nearly 8 month old has had a near-constant runny nose and phlegmy cough for 7 weeks now. The GP seems unconcerned because she is “alright in herself”. I’m obviously worried as this is really dragging on. We have three cats at home and although they don’t interact with my daughter much, obviously there are traces of them everywhere despite hoovering regularly with a special pet vacuum cleaner etc. Anyway, I have started to suspect that this might not just be the longest cold in the world, but it might be a cat allergy (which would be devastating!). Those of you with cat-allergic babies, when did the allergy present and how did it present? My daughter has no rash, does not wheeze when she breathes and does not have itchy or watery eyes. She has a very runny nose and a phlegmy cough which sometimes troubles her at night.
Thanks so much guys!

I've not experienced a DCat allergy @closingtime101 but I just wondered if it's Dust Mite allergy rather than a DCat allergy as it seems worse at night.

Have you tried hoovering her mattress, freezing her soft toys and washing her bedding at 60?

I'm no expert but if she was allergic to the cats would the symptoms not have made an appearance earlier than 8 months old? Have you tried going to stay at a relatives with no cats for a few nights to see if she gets better?

You need to get her tested to know. If it was a cat allergy then it would clear up when you're out of the house for a few hours.

Not necessarily, Twike.

To be a valid test, you need to change everyone's clothes immediately before leaving the house, and ideally stay away all day, or for a weekend.

Cat allergy sufferers just have to be in contact with cat hair, not cats.

Allergies can develop suddenly, at any age.

Tbh, 7 weeks is long for a lingering cough, but not inordinately long.

Are their older Dc in the house?

Hi all, thanks for replies. The dr said if she were allergic it would present later in life (usually as a toddler) but we went away for a few days and the cough and cold seemed to clear up totally! When we came back home the symptoms came back a bit (but not as bad as before). Maybe it is just a cold and I’m being very extra about it all. She is my first baby, no other children at home. I have asked for an allergy test so we will see (although apparently these blood tests often return a false positive!).
Anyway, thank you for replying. I have been so stressed!

If your daughter is found to be allergic to cats, there are steps you can take to minimize her exposure to cat allergens. This can include keeping the cats out of certain areas of the house, using air filters and regular cleaning to reduce dander and allergens, and potentially considering allergy shots or medications to help manage her symptoms.
It's important to continue working with your GP or pediatrician to determine the underlying cause of your daughter's symptoms and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

DD was diagnosed with Hay Fever the first year we had her. GP said the text books say you can't get it until they're older but she sneezed like crazy every time we took her outside.

I’m worried that my little one has developed an allergy to our cats.
Shes 1 and has been fine up until about 6 weeks ago, she was in and out of A&E due to fever and common cold symptoms just to be told it’s viral and will go. That her cough will slowly ease etc…
However she has had the same dry cough for around 6-8 weeks and doesn’t seem to be shifting along with having a snotty nose on and off.
We have also just moved home and the previous occupant smoked inside, as much as I have cleaned and cleaned there is a slight smell left but have been airing out the house as often as possible.
Should I be concerned that she’s now allergic to our cats or is it just that time of year where everyone at nursery shares their germs to the point it’s never ending.