I've been having a congestion/cold I can't get rid of. Antibiotics don't work. I don't have a fever or body aches, just incessant congestion and sometimes coughing. I have two cats that I've had for a few years now. I just got this cold about a month ago. The congestion doesn't seem to fade much when I leave the house for a few hours, etc. Could this be my cats?
2007-02-07 05:36:23 · 9 answers · asked by twobearcatz 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Possible. You can develop allergies to anything at any time in life. However, before getting "rid" of the cat - there are several things I would check. 1. Where are they sleeping? Are they carrying dust on their fur from some obscure place under furniture? 2. What about mold in the air? Even something as simple as a live Christmas tree can release mold spores in the air which keep circulating after the tree is removed. 3. Are you using any new personal products with scents or makeup or cleaning products? 4. Did you get new carpet? The fumes released by new carpet, or the new car smell or new paint can create sever allergy problems. I would invest in an air purifier - not and Oreck or Ionic Breeze one because there is a remote possibility the ozone released from it can make you feel worse. Get a regular filter one, HSN and Sears sell good models that I have and are affordable. My allergist told me that almost everyone tests positive at least mildly to cats and dogs but this doesn't sound like the cats. Check out all options and see if the air purifiers help. I just had a friend who had to move because after 6 years of renting the same townhouse she developed allergies and it turned out that before she moved in her water heater had a slow leak, and even after it was repaired, the floor under her carpet was covered with mold. Please get a purifier, I know you feel awful! PS Take Benadryl. If adult strength too strong, take the children's chewables. It really helps.
2007-02-07 09:59:22 · answer #1 · answered by Cash 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had similar symptoms for a month now as well. Nothing seems to help, medicine wise. I, too, have a cat.
I have been advised to start my allergy meds early this year due to the unusual weather patterns.
Allergies are usually made with repeated contact with the allergen. (latex, etc) It is possible to have a dander allergy after many years. You can get allergy testing done with your doctors referral. The procedure requires you to lie very still while your back is marked, little drops of allergens are placed onto your skin, and then it is pricked (then you wait for a test result which either itches like hell or doesn't). This is the only sure fire way to tell.
Otherwise, you are not the only one out there- a couple of my colleagues have the same probs.
Hope you feel better soon.
2007-02-07 05:46:00 · answer #2 · answered by longleggedfirecracker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's certainly possible. I developed an allergy to my cats after being a cat owner for years. I had similar symptoms and decided, finally, to be tested for allergies. Sure enough, my body had developed an allergy to cat dander after so many years of exposure. The allergy doesn't fade when you're away from the source, because the dander is on your clothes, skin, etc. Allergy shots do help, but in my case didn't make the prob. totally disappear. Good luck to you from a fellow cat lover!
2007-02-07 05:46:56 · answer #3 · answered by amazin'g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! My children were raised with cats and never had a problem. Now, one son has cat allergies he learned of when he moved in with a woman who owned several long-haired cats. Now he suffers whenever a cat is in the room. Now we have dogs.
2007-02-07 05:41:49 · answer #4 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could be allergic. But a doctor would have to test you for that.
A month is an awful long time to have a cold. You might want to go to the doctor anyway and make sure that is what you have.
2007-02-07 09:46:12 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Very few allergies are predisposed in your genetic make-up. They form as years pass and can especially form when you consistently keep allergens in your environment (aka living with cats).
2007-02-07 05:43:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, cats have different dander..(the stuff people are allergic too) and if you come across one you havent before you may find you are allergic
2007-02-07 05:43:37 · answer #7 · answered by leesharoo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, its possible to develop allergies.
2007-02-07 10:07:12 · answer #8 · answered by sarianne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pl get rid of cats.You can try.
2007-02-07 05:40:18 · answer #9 · answered by SKG R 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋