Allergic to A cat?!!! WTF!!!

einatshaul

I have just now realized I am totally allergic to this one poor old cat I am cat sitting! This is a thing I have committed to long ago so I can stay in one place in Seattle for a month, the owner is overseas, and this morning I woke up with a full on allergic attack! I mean, I thought I had the flu or something, this is ridiculous!

All I can do is go sleep in the living room and leave the bedroom all to herself...

I was never allergic to any thing/one before, has this ever happened to anyone??

Rygar

einatshaul wrote:

I have just now realized I am totally allergic to this one poor old cat I am cat sitting! This is a thing I have committed to long ago so I can stay in one place in Seattle for a month, the owner is overseas, and this morning I woke up with a full on allergic attack! I mean, I thought I had the flu or something, this is ridiculous!

All I can do is go sleep in the living room and leave the bedroom all to herself...

I was never allergic to any thing/one before, has this ever happened to anyone??

I've developed slight allergies to the cats I already own, and, pending a serious accident (one might have a heart attack, the fat bastard) they will be with me for a while
I don't get full on allergic attacks as you seem to, just the big sneeze-fest and puffy face effect. Sucks, but they're worth it.

WildChildRose

It's a really common allergy. You should bathe the cat. It will help. And vacuum and clean the house really well. Don't touch the cat and touch your face. Wash your hands really good.

the wolf

yep, when i was a kid i had an allergy to damn near every thing. grass and trees, dust, and yes cats.

they are way better now, i even let the cat that lives next door come in my house. in fact he is here more then there. he likes my dogs : )

the dr. said i outgrew them.

go to the dr. and get a perscription. tell him it a temporay thing.

rearviewmiror

My buddy used Claritin. Then he moved in with his girlfriend and her cat. He eventually got over them. (The allergies not the gf amnd the cat lol)

Hinny

Einat, she left you someone else's contact number. This is the kind of thing that you should talk about with her.

for what it's worth, we saw a doggie care centre while getting lost in Seattle. There might be something similar for old cats.

einatshaul

Thanks for the advice people... I was never aware of this kind of thing at all... I knew people were allergic to all sorts of things but i didn't know you can develop an allergy as a grown up who's been around pets all along... And to think I slept with that cat on my face all night! Scary! Claritin, thats what I'll do... And I'll be devoting a long day to cleaning that house... After you as well, Hinn!

Thanks, PJ Allergic friends...

JaneNY

You can certainly reduce the symptoms. I am allergic to cats since I was a child. I now own six (yes six) cats. I do take some allergy medication, but as long as I don't rub my face in their fur I'm fine. One thing I definitely noticed is being around them all the time, you get somewhat desensitized to them.

Urban Hiker

I just had allergy testing this week. With my constant runny nose and losing my voice, I thought for sure I was allergic to a number of things.
Well....
I'm allergic to three things.
Grass
CATS & DOGS!!! :eek:

I have one cat and two dogs. I thought that since I've had pets most of my life it wasn't that big of a deal, but it turns out they are my biggest problem. :(

Thank goodness for medication.

Einat, did the Claritin work for you? I end up using Benadryl a lot, even though it knocks me out.

Inhiding230

einatshaul wrote:

Thanks for the advice people... I was never aware of this kind of thing at all... I knew people were allergic to all sorts of things but i didn't know you can develop an allergy as a grown up who's been around pets all along... And to think I slept with that cat on my face all night! Scary! Claritin, thats what I'll do... And I'll be devoting a long day to cleaning that house... After you as well, Hinn!

Thanks, PJ Allergic friends...

You don't have to buy the name brand Claritin either - get the generic stuff which is half the price and does the exact same thing. I have really bad allergies to everything including cats so I take it every day. Make sure to keep the place clean and wash your hands more than usual. If you get cat hair on your clothes change them and wash them. It sucks but cats are worth it imo

einatshaul

I'll try anything, NO, the Claritin didn't help at all, I feel like shit! And now I see you are sick too Ang.. this sucks!!!!

tiklemynausea

Try benadryl..Alway's worked for me with the cat thing,anything with a antihistimine in it should do the trick...

Inhiding230

Yep Benydryl should work if nothing else does - but it will probably make you really sleepy.... I take it to help me sleep sometimes :P

sponger

Did you buy Claritin-D? The Claritin-D is behind the counter and you are required to swipe your driver's license at the register when you buy it.

I've used the regular Claritin that's on the shelf and it is worthless compared to the stuff that's behind the counter.

Also, you could try asking your doctor for Flonase. That stuff works wonders for my allergies.

rival.

cats are the death of me and my contact lenses.

brain of c

einatshaul wrote:

I have just now realized I am totally allergic to this one poor old cat I am cat sitting! This is a thing I have committed to long ago so I can stay in one place in Seattle for a month, the owner is overseas, and this morning I woke up with a full on allergic attack! I mean, I thought I had the flu or something, this is ridiculous!

All I can do is go sleep in the living room and leave the bedroom all to herself...

I was never allergic to any thing/one before, has this ever happened to anyone??

yes. i had to leave the woman who got the new cat.