Anyone Here Allergic To Cats?

[Armae]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could get your opinions?

Being sick and at home all the time except for Thursdays when I go to university, I'm getting kinda lonely and would love a pet.

However... I'm allergic to all pets. I have had a labradoodle dog since I was a child and had no problems. She passed away last year. But I can't have a dog where I live because I rent, but I can have a cat.

My allergist has recommened immunotherapy allergy shots to desensitize me to cats.

Does anyone here suffer from cat allergies but still lives with their cat? Or has anyone had success with immunotherapy shots? Or does anyone here have a Cornish Rex cat or similar lower allergy cat and could share their experiences?

Thank you for you help!

-Armae

[Jestgar]

I am allergic to cats and have three of them. I get kind of desensitized to my own beasts, so it's not a problem unless I haven't cleaned for a while.

My brother and his wife have Rex's, Devon, think, but I'm not positive. They got them because my brother is very allergic to cats. He has minimal problems with his (not so) hairy little critters.

And they're a wild pair (the cats, not my bro and his wife )

[psawyer]

So much depends on your individual sensitivity level. Responses differ.

I test as allergic to cats, and years ago I would develop a reaction when exposed.

I underwent sensitization therapy via injections many, may years ago, and it helped with some of my seasonal environmental allergies. That therapy did not include cats.

A stray cat adopted us one day, and we have had cats ever since. I have developed a tolerance, and do not usually have problems. I used to have a job where I would frequently travel for may days at a time. I found that the first 24 hours back, after having been cat-free for a week or so, triggered a reaction. I made it a habit to take an antihistamine while traveling home--about four hours before arriving home--and things were good. I haven't traveled much in the last three years. Your results may differ.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Armae,

Welcome I tested positive to cat allergy via skin prick twice, about 10 years apart. I do have a cat, whom I've had for the last 17 years. The first test came back positive shortly after we got him, and I was not about to give him up.

I used to have sinus issues, but I don't attribute them to the cat--I have seasonal allergies and once I went gluten-free, my sinus problems got much better. I now have no need for antihistimines or steroid nasal sprays.

The thing is, we all react differently--it would be impossible to say how you'd do with a cat. Can you possibly spend time around a friend's cat to see how that would affect you? Also, we can react to one cat and not to another. Just some food for thought.....

At any rate, good luck and I hope you can get yourself a furry friend

[debmidge]

I am severely allergic to cats to the point that they trigger my asthma.

I do not own a cat - I can't be in the room long enough - 20 minutes is my limit - so I

can't even try self-desensitization.

I asked allergist for the shots to desensitize (forgive my spelling) and her response was

she was not going to put that into my body unless I already had a cat which I had to

live around. She was not going to give me shots just because the people I visit (my friends and

relatives) have cats. She insisted that for those instances I use my asthma medicines AND

anti-histimine.

[ang1e0251]

Sorry this isn't exactly an answer to your question. I watched about 15 minutes of Martha Stewart yesterday and her vet was telling about what great pets rabbits make. They interviewed a staff member who had a rabbit in her New York apartment for 5 years. They said you give them free run of the place as they are litter trained and they are as smart as dogs and cats. Can even be taught tricks. And get this, they are related to deer!! I did not know that. I guess for an apartment it might be a good choice as they would never have a barking problem!

[sbj]

Being sick and at home all the time except for Thursdays when I go to university, I'm getting kinda lonely and would love a pet.

Why are you sick all of the time?

Please note that the Cornish Rex cat is not really hypo-allergenic. It's the cat saliva people are typically allergic to - not the fur/hair:

Despite some belief to the contrary, the Cornish Rex's short hair does not make it non- or hypo-allergenic. Allergic reactions from cats are not the result of hair length, the true culprit is a glyco-protein known as Fel d1, produced in the sebaceous glands of the skin, saliva, and urine. Most people who have cat allergies are reacting to this protein in cat saliva and cat dander: when the cat cleans its fur, the saliva dries and is transformed into dust which people breathe in. Since Cornish Rex cats groom as much as or even more than ordinary cats, a Cornish Rex cat will still produce a reaction in people who are allergic to cats. Note that, for more serious allergies, there are several breeds theorized to lack or produce less of the offending protein, see Cat allergy.

You might find some of the info at below link helpful if dealing with cat allergies:

Open Original Shared Link

frequent handwashing and avoiding touching eyes or other sensitive areas is advisable. Minimizing upholstery, rugs and draperies in which the allergen can accumulate in the home is another strategy. Barring the cat from certain rooms (in particular the bedroom or other rooms where much time is spent) or limiting it to the outdoors is also partially successful. . .

Allergies are Cumulative, this means that every allergen (e.g. dust, mold, pollen) will add to the reaction . . . reducing all allergens will reduce the cumulative total and hence possibly reduce the reaction below the threshold.

Desensitizing

Many people originally allergic to cats have, over time, become "immune" to allergic symptoms from their own cats; however, they may still have allergic reactions, of varying intensity, to other cats. This is not reliable when deciding to get a cat as a pet, as allergy may become worse, not better, with time.[citation needed]

Lower Exposure

Allergens are airborne and survive for months or even years by themselves, hence removing anything that can trap and hold the allergens (carpet, rugs, pillows) and cleaning regularly and thoroughly with HEPA filters and Air purifier systems reduces risk. Furthermore, regularly brushing the cat will reduce the amount of loose fur (and its attached saliva) in the air. Regularly bathing will reduce allergens by 85%.

Medications

Generally, hay fever medication or over-the-counter antihistamines have positive effects on cat allergy.

[Jestgar]

Despite some belief to the contrary, the Cornish Rex's short hair does not make it non- or hypo-allergenic. Allergic reactions from cats are not the result of hair length, the true culprit is a glyco-protein known as Fel d1, produced in the sebaceous glands of the skin, saliva, and urine. Most people who have cat allergies are reacting to this protein in cat saliva and cat dander: when the cat cleans its fur, the saliva dries and is transformed into dust which people breathe in. Since Cornish Rex cats groom as much as or even more than ordinary cats, a Cornish Rex cat will still produce a reaction in people who are allergic to cats. Note that, for more serious allergies, there are several breeds theorized to lack or produce less of the offending protein, see Cat allergy.

:lol:

I forgot to mention that my brother's a hypochondriac! And not allergic to his "hypoallergenic" Rexs....

[Juliebove]

I am allergic to both cats and dogs. Currently have one cat. Over the years have had two other cats and two dogs. No problem with any of them. Can visit the pet stores that have shelter cats. No problem.

But I visited my nephew who had one cat and three kittens. My eyes and nose began itching, I broke out in hives all over and I couldn't quit sneezing. Same thing happened to me when I went to our local pet store's Howl-o-ween party. There were tons of dogs there. I didn't even touch any dogs. I just reacted.

[Judyin Philly]

Great thread and learning alot

our son is so allergic but only visits from out of state on a rare occasion and he has great difficulty even with meds he takes while here.

Just wanted to get on the list for alerts as i'm sure I'll learn alot here

Judy

[samcarter]

I'm severely allergic to cats. Didn't know it until I ended up in the hospital with an anaphylactic reaction--the doctor said living with two cats (one who was longhaired) for so long had just made my body "overflow" with allergens.

Anyway, we have two cats--kind of by accident, one was the kitten of a cat we owned a while back, and the other one, we adopted when a neighbor was moving to where she couldn't have outdoor cats.

Both cats live outdoors/indoors. The indoor part is a separate, brick shed which is fairly large; it has two stories and we use it for a playhouse. The cats go in there when it is cold or bad weather. I can go out and play with the kids and be around the cats for about an hour at a time; I make sure to take my Claritin, and never, ever touch my eyes, nose or mouth until I've come inside and washed my hands.

I do adore cats. They're the only animal I feel a connection to. It's sad that I'm so allergic. But--I will say it's nice not to have the cat hair in the house. There's a little baby chair that my girl cat likes to sleep in, out in the playhouse, and it is just COVERED in fur. Just looking at it makes my eyes itch!

I've never had the allergy shots, but my cousin did. She was allergic to everything green, as well as cats, rabbits and dogs. I guess the shots worked because now she is married and on her own and has two cats and two dogs.

[ksymonds84]

Armae,

I am allergic to cats and have two. I developed a tolerance to them and only have problems if I go away on vacation for awhile. When I come back I have to take allergy medicine again to tolerate them. I have a friend with 3 cats who is very allergic. She bathes them (started doing so as kittens) and swears this helps. This gets rid of extra saliva in their fur (cats are big time groomers). When my two cats are gone, I plan to go back to birds. I loved having them, so social and smart and bird feathers didn't bother me at all!