Cat allergy advice

[squirrelspatchcock]

We have just got a kitten for my eldest daughter. He is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately my other child is showing signs of being allergic to the cat - itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose. We have a variety of other animals which aren't a problem (dogs, horses, guinea pigs).

We are desperate to keep him as he is obviously part of our family now. Does anyone else successfully keep cats, with a family member who is allergic? any steps we can take to lessen the symptoms? is it enough just to keep some distance and not cuddle him?

Any advice on how we can manage the situation would be greatly appreciated.

I'm allergic to cats and the first 3 weeks after getting our current two I thought they would have to go. The symptoms settled down but it's called masking.

If there is any chance your DC has asthma it's completely different and the kitten will need to go though, sorry.

Thanks Random for your experience. I am pretty confident she doesn't have asthma, there are no breathing issues/chest tightness.

So there is hope that with time the symptoms will settle!

Wipe over the cat regularly with Petal Cleanse - it may help or it may not but worth a go.

Keep cat out of bedrooms of course. Insist on hand washing after playing with kitten and don't touch face

Try a daily anti histamine for your child for a week or so and then stop and see what's what - they may well acclimatise

I'd see how you get on with the above for a few weeks and then see where you are with it. If no better or worse then it sadly may be decision time

And yes my 12 year old is allergic - he also had asthma. He was diagnosed at the allergy clinic and of the 20 things they tested for, his allergy to cats was the worst. He's fine with ours but we take care

*has asthma not had

As well as the other advice, we have an air purifier (www.meaco.com/air-purifiers/meacoclean-ca-hepa-47x5) which helps my partner - who has asthma as well as allergies to pet hair.

Neutering reduces the level of allergens a cat produces so if yours isn't yet neutered as he's a kitten, this might help once he's big enough.

I know from the experience of a family member, you can build up a tolerance if the allergy isn't too severe to begin with.

Antihistamines for a few weeks and lots of had washing after handling. I have asthma and cats.
A friend's dh had a 3 month prescribed course of antihistamines from his GP when they paid ££££££ for apparently hypo allergenic dkittens!!

Thanks for all the great advice everyone, it gives me hope that this is something we can potentially manage. Kitten hasn't been neutered so maybe that will help too.