Cat Allergies. Desp for advice.

[Teapot74]

DH is a bit of a sneezy pot at a bit of dust. Have had kittens since the end of Jan. He was a bit sneezy took piriton, but seemed to be OK. However, the last 2 weekends (when he's around them more) he's had a terrible cough and breathlessness at bedtime, piriton hasn't helped. He's looked it up and thinks it's the cats. They are limited to the kitchen and utility. Having had them so long now I don't want to let them go.
Is it the cats? What can I do?

My husband was allergic to our cat when we got him but after a tough two weeks his symptoms disappeared.

We banned the cat from the bedroom and I hoovered everyday but now the cat sleeps on the bed and I hardly ever hoover

If it helps my husband didn't take any allergy tablets, maybe your husband could try cold turkey for a week or so and see how he gets on.

I have two cats because I love them but unfortunately I am allergic to them. I use a product called Petalcleanse on them. I was a bit sceptical at first but it has made a big difference and made it tolerable to live with them without having to take antihistamines all the time.

try petal cleanse and a daily anti histamine for him and see how he goes

he comes before cats though so if he is breathless in his own home then you do need to prepare to re home them

Can I suggest trying the 'Petal Cleanse' range of stuff. It includes sprays for the carpet and furniture, a (safe) liquid to put on the cats, and I think also a wash-in liquid for the washing machine but I haven't tried this one. It is all primarily essential oils / floral type stuff but seems to work - we have used it successfully around the house before DH's family come to visit (who are all get variously sniffly, coughy, itchy around the cats). The idea of it is that it neutralises the dander which is the stuff in the cats' saliva which is what the vast majority of cat-allergic people have a problem with. The stuff you put in the washing machine or spray around the soft furnishings acts on the hair already sitting there, and the stuff you rub on the cats helps stop the dander at the source, as they groom themselves and spread it all around. Our cats don't much like being grabbed and rubbed all over with a damp flannel but they get over it immediately! You do have to keep going with it (it needs applying every couple of weeks) but hopefully it might make a difference.

Just read that you keep the cats in just two rooms of the house - hm unless they are really fluffy and / or you rarely hoover, it seems unlikely the whole house is full of their fur. Still worth a try I'd say - especially the stuff that goes directly on the cats (amazon link

Haha great minds!

He might have asthma, my dh is on two inhalers because of the cat aggravating his chest but its not the end of the world.

His cousin became asthmatic at the same age & has no pets, his gp reckons asthma is quite common in adults but under diagnosed.

He also might not be allergic to the cats (could be dust, feathers etc especially if the cats don't come out of two rooms in the house), can he get an allergy test at the doctors?

Thanks for replies. He went to the drs. She said it was a viral infection. He seemed better last night. The cats are safe for a few weeks :)