Help! DD allergic to our cats and need advice

[NotquitewhatImeant]

We adopted two 1yr old cats about three weeks ago. They’ve had a rubbish life so far but have really come out of their shells and we all love them. However, over the past 5 days DD (10) has been developed allergy symptoms. It started with an itchy rash behind her legs which I put down to the cold and being eczema prone. However, since Thursday the rash has gotten steadily worse, she can’t stop sneezing and her eyes and inside of her nose are sore and itchy. She said she noticed it was worse after snuggling the cats or sitting on something they sleep on and I’ve noticed she sneezes the second she enters a room the cats are in.

We had a cat when she was a little but haven’t for about 6 yrs and she has never shown cat allergy symptoms before. The GP has prescribed anti-histamine and we’ve hoovered her room out, set up an air purifier in there etc but I’m privately worrying that her symptoms might not settle and we end up having to re home that cats - which is my nightmare scenario. Please can anyone give me some advice or experiences? Is it possible she might get desensitised to them? She absolutely adores them.

Oh no he still gets loads of pets from me (and the family). I just avoid it if he’s just washed himself and then go wash my hands/arm. He was a very scared rescue cat who would shake if people tried to stroke him so we’d not want to deprive him now he is a snugglebug . He also sleeps on laps which is fine as long as I’m in jeans or have a throw over me. I won’t let him lick my hair which he thinks is mean but he’ll survive! DD pets him a bit less as she’s not so good at remembering not to rub her eyes but that’s good as the other cat adores her.

So glad it’s working out for you, OP.

DP was severely asthmatic as a child and his family didn't realise it was because of the cats. his childhood was blighted due to his asthma. Which lifted completely on leaving home for uni.

Anti histamines, asthma puffers don't prevent the effects for him and so we don't have pets and we avoid households who do. If he does come into contact - it's pretty grim . Inflamed eyes, wheezing, shortness of breath, contact dermatitis. And contact simply means being in the same house - he never strokes animals.

As lovely as cats are, please don't harm yours of your DD's health and take drugs long term for the sake of a pet.

I haven't read the full thread but things that help us are
Petal cleanse which I put on my hands and stroke onto cats coat once a week.
Purina live clear dry food which alters the saliva.
Washing hands straight after contact.
Adding salmon oil to cat food is meant to help too but we don't do this.
Air purifier up and downstairs.

I'm another allergic cat-owner! I am on daily antihistamines- but not specifically because of the cat, I've been on them since I was a baby for severe eczema- and I have effectively become desensitised to my own cat. My aunt's cats can still trigger a reaction so I take extra medication when I visit them, but on my standard dose I've not had any allergic reaction to my own cat since the first month or two that we had him. For me, the joy I get from my cat (and seeing my aunt's cats!) is well worth it.

If your daughter is already used to daily medication then it's really no hassle to add an antihistamine, though if she isn't then it might be a learning curve and a more difficult decision. Since you say she adores them I'd definitely ask a GP about trying the meds, though, and maybe then weaning off them after a few months if she can.

So your daughter does have an allergy and you’re keeping the cat???? You say you have other allergies in the house, does your daughter or anyone else have asthma? If yes then 100% get rid. I would anyway if my child was allergic.

It is possible to be desensitised with immunotherapy.

Your GP can refer you but, being honest, you may have to pay privately.

I had a vet who was allergic to cats so he had it done, difficult to be a vet in a practice that sees a lot of pets with an allergy.

That's so interesting about it being one cat and not the other. I am mega allergic to some peoples cats such that I will get a rash, sneezing and runny nose even going in a room where the cat has been. Other cats I can pet no issue at all. I was brought up with a cat who I was not allergic to but I have never risked getting one myself just in case it's one I'm allergic to as this seems unpredictable

Try the dander wipes and spray. You usually spray it every where and then hoover. The alternative is that she can get the injections, but they are quite expensive I think.

I'm allergic to all fur! When we first got our boy my eyes where awful and I took antihistamines. But I decided to try doing a day with and a day without and the 2 days on and off etc. Eventually I got used to him and now I'm fine. Occasionally it flares up and I take an antihistamine on a one off and all ok again.

We had a stray cat visit the other week
I picked him up and I was coughing, itchy and sneezing again. Antihistamines again.

So I do think some.people get used to their own cat. But everyone is different