Cat allergy

[Leanne]

I too have a cat allergy, since having the boys it has decreased a little I don't get sore eyes any more but I do always have a runny nose.

I have used petal cleanse in the past and its very good, but I've been too lazy with keeping up with it.

[Janeyk]

Byron could be shedding more Dander due to general age? you said she is in her 20's so maybe she got flakey?

yes that's what I was thinking when I saw that, but Schui is quite scurfy too - saying that he is black and shows up whereas it won't show on Byron and she may have alot more.

[Janeyk]

so that is probably why my eyes water alot then too.  I've done a bit of googling and some say about the dander and some something about it not being so much the fur itself but the proteins from cat saliva when they wash and to brush them regularly. Maybe that's right as Byron is forever washing and Schui never hardly has.

[Indys Mamma]

Byron could be shedding more Dander due to general age? you said she is in her 20's so maybe she got flakey?

[Team Svartalfheims]

I'm really bad with 2 of the cats at my Mum's and used to have daily asthma attacks as a child due to them and my gorgeous Tigger was the same (despite petal cleanse, anti-histimines and daily hoovering). Thereagain I have issues with a lot of cats and dogs setting my asthma off and bringing me out in itchy lumps but thankfully I have yet to meet an NFC or a Siberian Forest Cat I'm allergic to  My friends boyfriend is really allergic to cats as well (he's ended up in hospital before after cuddling a cat) and he didn't even get itchy eyes in the house with my bunch, even though I hadn't hoovered the house for several days, which made him very happy as he adores cats.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I dont have an allergy as such but do have probs if I rub eyes after stroking the cats. Mine shed enormous amounts of fur and i guess its in the air as well as every where else................sigh

[Ela]

it's to do with the 'dander' cats lose

That is what I have always understood, with me it certain cats be they long or short haired ,  single or double coat,

[Liz]

My OH Robin has Asthma and the Asthma nurse said he would have to get rid of the cats and dogs so he could have a normal life!

He did advise her that wasn't going to happen and he would be living with the outside ferals in the garage if he thought to mention it!  He uses his inhaler at night but we do endeavour to keep the fur down as much as possible with having tile and wooden floors.

He also is a major hay fever sufferer and he thinks his asthma is work related developed it at 32 and after being in Power Sations and Oil refineries is convinced that that is the major cause - he now works in an office apart from Rig trips and says he notices nodifference in being away from his kids!

We tried to stop them sleeping on the bed but we were both miserable without our fur blankets and the comprimise is we have throws on the bed and they all sleep below the throew line with the exception of his stalkie tortie Amber who sleeps betwen outr pillows so I can't be that close to  "her" man!

[Feline Costumier]

I am allergic to most airborne irritants (dust, pollen, cat/dog/rabbit/anything furry dander) and just put up with it. I don't do myself any favours as I also have allergy induced astham but it is very mild.

I always have a window open to help air circulate, vaccum soft furnishings and I do take Piriton every day which I'd rather not have to do but I won't be without a furry family.

A tip to sufferers, don't do what I do quite often, I stroke the cat, forget to wash my hands and stick my fingers in my eyes. Watch as I slowly turn into someone who looks like they've got a very nasty eye infection!

Allergies are rubbish but there's a lot can be done to help reduce the effects and when you live with what you are allergic to you do build a bit of a tolerance.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

I recently did quite a lot of research on this as a close friend of mine is so allergic that she couldn't breathe one time she came in the house! I wanted to make sure that she could come over and not suffer and found out quite a lot of interesting hints so it's worth doing dome digging. Basically, she always thought it was do do with length of fur but actually it's to do with the 'dander' cats lose from their skin with the fur so people tend to have a more severe reaction to cats who shed more. From what i've read there are a lot of things that can help but th main things were.... brush the cat outside everyday as then the dander shed will be outside, not in the house. Grooming everyday is obviously good for the cat but will also help the sufferer. Air conditioning type deviced help as well as they circulate teh air in the house and clear impurities, there are also products which can be added to the fur when the cat's groomed which help them to shed less dander as it moisturises their skin. As someone who's not a sufferer but wanted to help a friend, I make sure before she comes I open windows to circulate the air (plus fan if warm enough!) increase vacuuming on days leading up to her visit and ensure that I groom the cats even more than usual and she has definately found thi has helped.
There was a very good article in 'The Cat' magazine during the summer which is worth finding and reading as it had a lot of good tips.

[Janeyk]

Thanks, I'd never be without her so I'll try a few things.  I thought it was hayfever morning and night but it can't be now and they're the times Byron always plonks by me for a cuddle, after breakfast and last thing.  Can't help me keep kissing her either 

[Desley (booktigger)]

i have found myself more affected by some cats than others, with me it is the coarser the fur.

[Ela]

Of course anything is possible and allergies can come at any time in our lifetime. Perhaps you could try, see:- http://www.bio-life.co.uk/

[Janeyk]

Recently I've noticed everytime Byron comes near me I've started getting a runny nose and sometimes sneezing, could I have an allergy? I can't say I've noticed the same with Schui though.