How can I reduce my cat allergy symptoms?

Question

I myself do not have a cat, however, I have a friend that I visit frequently and she has two. I seem to only have the allergic reaction when I am in her house. I have other friends with cats, and as long as I don't touch them I am fine. What could be different about her house? It's so bad that 5 minutes from walking in the door I can feel my throat getting scratchy, itchy, red, watery eyes etc. Is there anything I can take in order to reduce these symptoms? Claritin and Benadryl showed no relief. Even vacuuming right before I came didn't help!

Answer 1

People that are allergic to animals are often allergic to the dander (dead skin that is continually shed), the saliva, or the urine.

Remember this basic fact about cat allergens. They need to be airborne and you need to breathe them in for you to have an allergic reaction to them. Cat allergen is very small so it remains suspended in the air longer. There is also a high rate of recontamination (because the cats are running around the house). Here are some recommended steps to decrease your (or your partner's) cat allergies.

This would have to apply to your friend but says "You".
No more cats sleeping on the bed.
Sorry, this is a small price to pay for allergy relief. If you get your symptoms under control by all means invite them back, but give yourself a break while you are trying to abate your symptoms.
Keep them out of the bedroom altogether.
Close the bedroom door to try and keep the cat allergen down in the bedroom. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from allergens. So tempt your cats to sleep elsewhere during the day.
Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly.
This eliminates both dust mite and cat allergen (because we know some of you will still let them sneak up on the bed every now and then).
Use HEPA air filters in rooms where your cats frequent.
Since cat allergen is so difficult to remove, a good HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifier is essential for cleaning the air in your home. HEPA air purifiers do require continued filter replacement, but when push comes to shove and you are in need of allergy relief, a good HEPA filter will do it for you.
Vacuum up cat allergen with a high grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly.
Vacuum walls, carpet, flooring, chairs, and furniture...everywhere. Use the hand tools on the vacuum. Cat allergen particles are very small and invasive so you really have to do a thorough job. Good hand tools on your vacuum cleaner are the answer here. Also, installing a central vacuum will help pick up the rest.
Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home.
In addition to vacuuming, vapor steam cleaners are now proven by research to be extremely helpful in killing off the cat proteins/dander, which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen.
Wash your hands immediately after petting your cat and do not rub your eyes.
Rubbing your eyes can result in itchy eyes for hours. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to avoid this problem.
Clean your cat.
Some people wash their cats to reduce the amount of cat allergen that is released from their cat into the air, but research seems to be conflicting about its effectiveness. Allerpet, a well-known brand of liquid that reduces cat allergen in the air, can be applied to your cats' coat and is available from your local veterinarian. Alternatively, you can get a micro fiber cloth and just damp rub down the cats' coats to rid it of visible dander. The majority of cats would prefer this to the highly dreaded bath.
Confine your cats to one area of the house.
I know this will be difficult for some people but this at least controls the cat allergens to a separate place where you can concentrate your air purifier and cleaning efforts.
You DO NOT have to get rid of your CAT!
If you do a good job with step numbers 1-9, your cat allergies should be significantly decreased. Keeping a cat when you have allergies takes a concerted effort, and is only for those who are nutty enough about their cats (like us), to go to all this trouble.


Here is another website that has basically the same thing:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1278&articleid=144
If you or a member of your family is part of the 15% of our population allergic to pets, there are things you can do to help keep allergic reactions under control and make your home a much more comfortable place to live. Even if you do not have allergies, these tips are helpful if you have guests in your home that are allergic to animals.


We spend from one third to one half of our time in our bedrooms. By keeping the animals out of the bedrooms at all times, we can greatly reduce the symptoms of pet allergies.


Install a good "HEPA" air cleaner.


Close the ducts to the bedrooms and use electric heaters.


Clean and vacuum regularly.


Bathe your pet weekly.


Do not allow your pet on the furniture.


Do not allow your pet in your car. (Or use car seat covers when your pet is in the car.)


Brush your pet daily and use an allergy-reducing spray such as Allerpet.


Keep your pet's skin healthy by feeding a high quality food and a fatty acid supplement.


Wash your hands after handling the pet, his toys, bed, etc.


See your physician and discuss possible immunotherapy or medications.

Summary

Telling an allergic pet owner to just not have a pet or to get rid of their own pet is not a realistic option the majority of the time. The same holds true for telling people that are allergic to animals to just avoid them. Animals and pets are a very integral part of our lives and it is impossible to avoid contact with them. By adopting some good management strategies, we can help allergic pet owners keep their pets. At the same time, even if we do not have allergies ourselves, with a little empathy and consideration on our part, we can make life much easier for our friends and relatives who suffer from allergies to our pets.

Answer 2

I had the same problem at a friends house when we lived in OKC. Every time I went to their house with in a few minutes my eyes would get red,watery and itchy. My nose would start running.I was miserable. I think their cat was a long haired cat. It's dander was just very strong. We got a short haired cat for my husband for Fathers day 3 yrs ago. I was concerned I would have trouble but I haven't had any. I can pet him and even cuddle with him without any trouble. You may have to have your friend come visit you at your house or another location.

Answer 3

First, take a shower. Change clothes, Put contaminated clothes in a plastic trash bag or immediately wash them. take a histamine blocker (antihistamine) such as loritadine (claritin) or benedryl every day. If that doesnt work, avoid these areas all together. No friendship is worth your health. A true friend would be sensitive to your needs!

Answer 4

When are you taking the antihistamines, before or after you get there? The key is to take them at least 40-60 minutes before you get there, preferably 60 min before. Try taking two benadryl if one doesn't work, but drink it w/ caffeine so it doesn't make you drowsy.

Answer 5

taken an allergy pill yet? my mother has the same symptoms as you, and she takes Zyrtec.

Answer 6

there has to be something else then that is causing the reactions = you will have to find out=can your g/f come to your place for awhile

Answer 7

Can the cats be put in another room while you're visiting?

Answer 8

how should i know go see a doctor?