when i go to my friends house - who have cats, my eye gets itchy, and my nose str=arts to run. i no im allergic to cats, but i want a cat, so if i get one will i be allergic to it all the tiem or will i end up growing out of it?
thanks!
2007-06-17 05:41:39 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Amazingly there was a study and they said that if you are constantly exposed to your allergy you can actually grow out of it. But it is a long process, you will probably suffer a lot and will get rid of the cat before it happens which is not fair. I'd suggest to visit your friends house until the allergy goes away.
Oh and people aren't allergic to the hair of the cat, you are actually allergic to the saliva, if you are really sensitive you can also be allergic to dogs since their saliva contains the same enzyma. So, it's not the hair, everybody thinks it's the hair.
2007-06-17 05:46:11 · answer #1 · answered by L M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I did the same thing as you and my allergist said that allergic people who get cats are who send allergist's kids to college and buy their boats.
Are you already taking a once-a-day non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine (same as claritin but generic is cheaper)? Try taking some loratadine for a couple of days and then see how your allergies respond around your friends cats. I now have cats, I take 1 loratadine/day and I only get symptoms when pollen is really bad.
I think that sometimes you do get used to certain allergens, your symptoms get milder but they will never go completely away, also if you live with a cat and then you somehow get exposed to a second allergen like pollen or mold you might really flare up--like throwing some dry straw on hot coals.
yeah but- their hair is coated in their saliva from their bathing so the hair that gets around the house will make you allergic. Meticulous sweeping and vacuming, and shelling out a little extra for an anti-allergen furnace filter and replacing it every two months can help.
Yeah, and definetly choose a cat with a single coat, not one of those fluffballs--most petsmarts sponsor adoptions run by not for profit no-kill shelters.
2007-06-17 12:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by elgüero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People with cat allergies generally do not out grow this allergy. You will always be allergic to the cat.
However, if you are determined to have a cat then there are many things you can do to reduce your symptoms. Remove the carpeting and put in hardwood, tile, or lino. Cover your bed/pillows/quilts with allergen tight mattress covers. Keep the cat off the bed. Remove draperies and put up non-fabric blinds. If you have furnace heating than put a good quality filter on it and the vents. Make sure you change them frequently. Also invest in a HEPA air cleaner. After you touch the cat wash your hands and anywhere the cat has touched your skin. Do not wear clothes that the cat has come in contact with even if they look clean. Be prepared to clean, clean, clean.
This is what I did to keep my cat. I found out a year after I got him that I was allergic to him. Had him for 21 years and did not send any doctor's kids to college. Your allergy to cats will not really disappear but you react less because you are keeping your environment low in cat allergen.
2007-06-17 23:37:45 · answer #3 · answered by jane 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you are allergic to cats you will always be allergic to cats..... you can take allergy meds and it will help but not completely and the shedding is what causes the allergy so if you keep your cat a indoor cat and give it a bath every week or so you will be alright and yes you can wash a cat if they grow up from a kitten getting a bath as it gets older it will be ok with it i give my cat a bath every week
2007-06-17 13:33:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be allergic. But then, cats shed and it can be a problem to even non-allergic people.
If you get a kitty, keep your house very clean and feed your cat a high-quality food so he won't shed as much.
Good luck!
2007-06-17 12:45:19 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are some breeds which are known to be better for people with allergies... e.g. Cornish Rex, Devon Rex... these two in particular do not have the topcoat most cats have, therefore moult less... this may be your best option...
2007-06-17 12:51:21 · answer #6 · answered by nikkoj1975 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem. It's not really the cat's but it's their dander, so just vaccum and brush the cat everyday.
2007-06-17 15:18:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well If you deside to get a cat you can go to the doctors to get medication so you will be ok to be around cats!!!
2007-06-17 12:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by XxKelseyxX 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋