Help! I want a kitten but think I'm allergic :(

Tpysl · 08-20-2007, 02:48 AM

So I've been wanting to get a kitten for the majority of my life, but my parents were always allergic, however, I've recently gotten my own place, but after visiting my friend's cat, think I'm allergic to it. My eyes get puffy, I start sneezing, etc. Am I basically screwed? I mean, I have a rather large apartment, and I'm thinking of just keeping the kitten away from my bed area and letting it romp around my living room and kitchen. My friend also mentioned something about a particle filter, but I don't know how effective it'll be. Anyone have any ideas? I'm very sad

Shiranai · 08-20-2007, 03:00 AM

I have a cat and I'm allergic to ... basically the nature.

There's really no good ways of keeping the cat's allergy away from you if you want a cat. You can reduce the effects, but at the end the only way to minimize it completely is to not own a cat.

The suggested ways are:

1. Get an air filter for allergens.
2. Vacuum/clean often.
3. Wash the cat once a week.
4. keep some antihistamine cream/medicine/eye drops handy. I have all three. I take a pill a day and if my eyes are itchy I use eye drops, if I get rashes I use cream.
5. Keep the cat out of your bedroom.
6. Get a light colored female, short hair cat.

The cat's allergens are sticky (I read somewhere from a vet), so there's no real good way of getting rid of it even if you vacuum.

I only do 2, 3, 4, 6, I still get symptoms sometimes and mild asthma sometimes, but I'll have allergies with or without her so I decided to tough it out. My doctors said if you keep exposing yourself to small doses of allergens, the allergies will go away sometimes. I know some of my allergies went away this way. I have a habit of ignoring my allergies and just doing whatever I want to do.

Read this: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

That website is awesome if you own a cat.

iLoveMyBabyCairo · 08-20-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tpysl

So I've been wanting to get a kitten for the majority of my life, but my parents were always allergic, however, I've recently gotten my own place, but after visiting my friend's cat, think I'm allergic to it. My eyes get puffy, I start sneezing, etc. Am I basically screwed? I mean, I have a rather large apartment, and I'm thinking of just keeping the kitten away from my bed area and letting it romp around my living room and kitchen. My friend also mentioned something about a particle filter, but I don't know how effective it'll be. Anyone have any ideas? I'm very sad

was your friend's cat long haired or short? i'm VERY allergic to long-haired cats, but have a short-haired kitten (and my roommie has TWO cats) and im fine...

you could try some type of allergy med...but chances are, you are allergic... spend some time in a humane society--be around the cats for long periods of time. see how you feel

Ms_ME · 08-20-2007, 03:07 AM

they do make a shampoo to "wash" off the cat scent or some crud like that so yooh wont be allergic!! i don't kno if it works tho!!

Ms_ME · 08-20-2007, 03:08 AM

the things they come up with these days!!!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Ms_ME · 08-20-2007, 03:11 AM

oh read the reviews!!!!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

iLoveMyBabyCairo · 08-20-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ms_ME

oh read the reviews!!!!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

simple-solutions is a fantastic, reputable brand..so i'd be likely to believe it...

Thunderforce · 08-20-2007, 03:23 AM

I'm allergic to most (hairy) pets as well. Anyway I couldn't live with a hairy creature so I took 2 dogs. I took all carpets out and now I have only wooden floors ... and the funny thing overtime I grew over my allergic reactions.

kaoticbaby · 08-20-2007, 03:40 AM

i could swear that ive seen commercials/magazine ads for a pill to take if you're allergic to cats...supposedly that will supress the allergy enough to actually own one. something that counteracts the dander? I'm really not sure. Can you talk to a doctor about it?

iLoveMyBabyCairo · 08-20-2007, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaoticbaby

i could swear that ive seen commercials/magazine ads for a pill to take if you're allergic to cats...supposedly that will supress the allergy enough to actually own one. something that counteracts the dander? I'm really not sure. Can you talk to a doctor about it?

i think Zyrtec is supposed to HELP with pet dander effects, but imnot sure if thvts the one you're talking about

08-20-2007, 02:48 AM	#1
Tpysl Offline Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 105	Help! I want a kitten but think I'm allergic :( So I've been wanting to get a kitten for the majority of my life, but my parents were always allergic, however, I've recently gotten my own place, but after visiting my friend's cat, think I'm allergic to it. My eyes get puffy, I start sneezing, etc. Am I basically screwed? I mean, I have a rather large apartment, and I'm thinking of just keeping the kitten away from my bed area and letting it romp around my living room and kitchen. My friend also mentioned something about a particle filter, but I don't know how effective it'll be. Anyone have any ideas? I'm very sad

08-20-2007, 03:23 AM	#8
Thunderforce Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Netherlands Gender: Female Age: 32 Posts: 241	I'm allergic to most (hairy) pets as well. Anyway I couldn't live with a hairy creature so I took 2 dogs. I took all carpets out and now I have only wooden floors ... and the funny thing overtime I grew over my allergic reactions. __________________ ~ Logic brings you from A to B, Imagination brings you everywhere ~ ~ Hasta La Pasta ~

08-20-2007, 03:00 AM	#2
Shiranai Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 429	I have a cat and I'm allergic to ... basically the nature. There's really no good ways of keeping the cat's allergy away from you if you want a cat. You can reduce the effects, but at the end the only way to minimize it completely is to not own a cat. The suggested ways are: 1. Get an air filter for allergens. 2. Vacuum/clean often. 3. Wash the cat once a week. 4. keep some antihistamine cream/medicine/eye drops handy. I have all three. I take a pill a day and if my eyes are itchy I use eye drops, if I get rashes I use cream. 5. Keep the cat out of your bedroom. 6. Get a light colored female, short hair cat. The cat's allergens are sticky (I read somewhere from a vet), so there's no real good way of getting rid of it even if you vacuum. I only do 2, 3, 4, 6, I still get symptoms sometimes and mild asthma sometimes, but I'll have allergies with or without her so I decided to tough it out. My doctors said if you keep exposing yourself to small doses of allergens, the allergies will go away sometimes. I know some of my allergies went away this way. I have a habit of ignoring my allergies and just doing whatever I want to do. Read this: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] That website is awesome if you own a cat.

08-20-2007, 03:07 AM	#4
Ms_ME Offline Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 199	they do make a shampoo to "wash" off the cat scent or some crud like that so yooh wont be allergic!! i don't kno if it works tho!!

08-20-2007, 03:08 AM	#5
Ms_ME Offline Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 199	the things they come up with these days!!! [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-20-2007, 03:11 AM	#6
Ms_ME Offline Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 199	oh read the reviews!!!! [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-20-2007, 03:40 AM	#9
kaoticbaby Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Gender: Female Age: 21 Posts: 1,904	i could swear that ive seen commercials/magazine ads for a pill to take if you're allergic to cats...supposedly that will supress the allergy enough to actually own one. something that counteracts the dander? I'm really not sure. Can you talk to a doctor about it?