alergies and cats ....

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C H - 15 Feb 2004 18:22 GMT

I grew up with cats and would like to get another one now. My children are
alergic to cats ( tho it seems). Their eyes get puffy and red rather badly.
Is there anything I can do so that they may be able to be around a cat. (
like shampoo for the cat or something in that area)

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~*Connie*~ - 15 Feb 2004 19:46 GMT

> I grew up with cats and would like to get another one now. My children are
> alergic to cats ( tho it seems). Their eyes get puffy and red rather badly.
> Is there anything I can do so that they may be able to be around a cat. (
> like shampoo for the cat or something in that area)

get the kids some allergy shots, and simply bathe the cats on a regular
basis. I have found that to be the most effective. I had two cats a long
time ago, and I had a friend who was allergic who would come and visit.
Even on meds, he could only stay around for about half an hour..after
bathing the kitties regularly, he could stay several hours before becoming a
bit bothered.

of course now I have five at the minimum, and 20 at the max, so we don't see
him around here much

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Denise Heelan - 16 Feb 2004 03:27 GMT

I have three cats and I am alergic to cats. It was hard at first but I kept
bathing them and most importaint is washing your hands very well often and
never touch your face with-out washing your hands first. I still have
problems every once and a while anyway. I use a lot of visine. I am still
alergic to other peoples cats but not as bad as I use to be.

This might be a little too much on your kids, and not to fair for the cat if
after a while he had to fine another home. Just a thought.

> > I grew up with cats and would like to get another one now. My children
> are
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> of course now I have five at the minimum, and 20 at the max, so we don't see
> him around here much

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Vickie's babe - 07 Mar 2004 23:24 GMT

How about giving the kid some allergy medication as in alegra or something
like that.

Talk to your familly doctor about it.

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rpl - 08 Mar 2004 06:02 GMT

>>I grew up with cats and would like to get another one now. My children
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>>Is there anything I can do so that they may be able to be around a cat. (
>>like shampoo for the cat or something in that area)

used to be like that myself... the *most* important (only important
actually for me) is *not* to touch your face with your hands after
petting the cat until after you've washed your hands. I don't have that
allergy these days, but it might be because I don't rub my eyes after
petting the cats anymore... could also be I keep them brushed when possible.

pat

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Diana - 08 Mar 2004 18:59 GMT

rpl at plinnane3NO@SPAMyahoo.com wrote on3/8/04 1:02 AM:

>>> I grew up with cats and would like to get another one now. My children are
>>> alergic to cats ( tho it seems). Their eyes get puffy and red rather badly.
>>> Is there anything I can do so that they may be able to be around a cat. (
>>> like shampoo for the cat or something in that area)

> used to be like that myself... the *most* important (only important
> actually for me) is *not* to touch your face with your hands after
> petting the cat until after you've washed your hands. I don't have that
> allergy these days, but it might be because I don't rub my eyes after
> petting the cats anymore... could also be I keep them brushed when possible.

Both of those suggestions sound helpful. Also, wiping a cat down with a
damp cloth daily gets considerably more of the saliva off of its fur than
brushing alone. You are probably aware that in the majority of cases people
are allergic to the cat's saliva, not the fur.

If I were you I would also explore the possibility that some breeds of cat
*might* be more "hypoallergenic" than others.

There is a third alternative that would likely be the most successful, if
you want to go this route: the children could have a series of "shots" to
reduce/eliminate their allergic reactions. (Sounds better to me than dosing
them up with antihistamines.) If they're allergic to cats, they will most
probably be allergic to other things as well, so you might be doing them a
real favor in the long run to consult with an allergist.

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Diana, wanting no child to have to grow up catless :)

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luckeyo - 23 Mar 2004 08:52 GMT

I certainly can sympathize with you, but your children and family welfare
should come first and it should not include having to take medication if
unnecessarn. If your children can learn not to touch the cats and rub their
eyes as you had to do they may in time grow out of the allergy but it is
doubtful

> How about giving the kid some allergy medication as in alegra or something
> like that.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> > Is there anything I can do so that they may be able to be around a cat. (
> > like shampoo for the cat or something in that area)

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