A good cure for pet allergies?

[weshofmann]

I have always had a very acute sense of smell and I have likewise always had at least moderate allergies to dogs and cats. Well, I recently bought SWMBO a couple of cats. You see, she gave one up to be with me years ago, and I've felt bad about it ever since. She loved that cat. So I bought her some fuzzy friends this summer, right before I got into wetshaving.

Anyway, getting rid of the cats just isn't an option. The problem is, I'm pretty much perpetually stuffed up. In fact, sadly, I can hardly smell my shaving soaps in the morning when I shave. :-/ That's probably why I've been so adamantly defending Tabac... I can't smell it very well (or anything else for that matter), so the efficacy is what I care about.

Anyway, is there a good way to control pet allergies without getting rid of the animals? I have so many good shaving products; I'd love to be able to smell them again!

 

[weshofmann]

Just to clarify, I've grown very fond of the cats myself; they're part of the family now. I just want to have my cake and eat it too: have my cats, and still be able to smell things.

 

[RichGem]

I have always had a very acute sense of smell and I have likewise always had at least moderate allergies to dogs and cats. Well, I recently bought SWMBO a couple of cats. You see, she gave one up to be with me years ago, and I've felt bad about it ever since. She loved that cat. So I bought her some fuzzy friends this summer, right before I got into wetshaving.

Anyway, getting rid of the cats just isn't an option. The problem is, I'm pretty much perpetually stuffed up. In fact, sadly, I can hardly smell my shaving soaps in the morning when I shave. :-/ That's probably why I've been so adamantly defending Tabac... I can't smell it very well (or anything else for that matter), so the efficacy is what I care about.

Anyway, is there a good way to control pet allergies without getting rid of the animals? I have so many good shaving products; I'd love to be able to smell them again!

Obvious answer would be prescription or OTC allergy meds, but failing that the ol' neti pot and/or x-clear nasal spray are good (tho not perfect) options. (vacuuming the cats may help too. )

 

[kingfisher]

By far the best thing is a nasal steroid spray such as Nasonex, Rhinocort Aqua, Flonase, or the like. My personal favorite is Rhinocort Aqua, but they all work pretty well. One spray in each nostril once a day and the problem disappears like magic.

 

[Go West Young Man]

If you've done the obvious fixes (vacuum every day, get allergen shields for your pillow and mattress, etc) and are still suffering, you need to see an allergist. They can determine exactly what you're allergic to and create a treatment program specific to your needs. I got a series of allergy shots a few years ago that sems to have permanently cured most of my problems.

 

[Amer]

All you get is stuffed up? Every time I pet a cat I get an itchy rash all over my neck and chest. I'm jealous.

 

[blackfoot]

My wife was allergic to cats when I brought in we got our cat. Originally, we would bather him every few days to help keep the dander down. Fortunately, she seems to have built an immunity to him.

 

[weshofmann]

My wife was allergic to cats when I brought in we got our cat. Originally, we would bather him every few days to help keep the dander down. Fortunately, she seems to have built an immunity to him.

How long did it take her to form a resistance to it? We got our cats back in July and I've been stuffed up ever since.

 

[blackfoot]

How long did it take her to form a resistance to it? We got our cats back in July and I've been stuffed up ever since.

I really don't remember right now. Hopefully, I am meeting her for lunch soon. I will ask her if she remembers and if she did anything extra.

 

[gollum83]

If you've done the obvious fixes (vacuum every day, get allergen shields for your pillow and mattress, etc) and are still suffering, you need to see an allergist. They can determine exactly what you're allergic to and create a treatment program specific to your needs. I got a series of allergy shots a few years ago that sems to have permanently cured most of my problems.

He introduced cats to the house, and maybe it's just me, but I think it's rather self-evident as to what he's allergic to.

Anyway, your best bet is experiment with over the counter allergy medications and spray, and no I don't mean that kind of experiment. I mean in order find something that will work well for you. If that doesn't work you can step it up, go to a doctor and see if they can prescribe something. And Blake is correct, after awhile you may build up an immunity to your cats. I did, but it's a gradual process and can take a year or more easily. Even then I may still be allergic to your cats but it won't be nearly as bad as it is now.

 

[RichGem]

He introduce cats to the house, and maybe it's just me, but I think it's rather self-evident as to what he's allergic to.

Anyway, your best bet is experiment with over the counter allergy medications and spray, and no I don't mean that kind of experiment. I mean in order find something that will work well for you. If that doesn't work you can step it up, go to a doctor and see if they can prescribe something. And Blake is correct, after awhile you may build up an immunity to your cats. I did, but it's a gradual process and can take a year or more easily. Even then I may still be allergic to your cats but it won't be nearly as bad as it is now.

Shrink wrap would probably work too.

 

[gollum83]

Shrink wrap would probably work too.

Shrink wrap who? Him or the cats?

 

[weshofmann]

hmmmm.... I have a good sized collection of DE razors... maybe I could dedicate one of them to keeping both cats shaved?

Wow, I'm thinking that it would be far more painful for me than it would be for them..... on the other hand, one of the cats always seems to be very interested in my Tabac lather once I have it whipped up in my mug.

 

[RichGem]

Shrink wrap who? Him or the cats?

Either way....

 

[weshofmann]

Either way....

Um.....

 

[RichGem]

Um.....

Cat got your tongue?

 

[weshofmann]

Cat got your tongue?

You're so punny...

 

[gollum83]

Um.....

Well, if you really prefer bubble wrap...

 

[weshofmann]

Well, if you really prefer bubble wrap...

I just realized that I can't think about bubble wrap without thinking about Weird Al's White and Nerdy... Pop pop!

 

[MMag]

I'm allergic to cats and dogs myself and have five animals in the house with no problem; my wife is an animal lover. What works for me is change the house air filter monthly with one that has a MERV rating 11, vacuum daily with a HEPA certified vacuum and dust weekly. I also have a hypo-allergeic pillow and wash the pillow case whenever I do laundry. Seems like alot but on the upside my house is always clean.