OT: help! Son is allergic to my cats:(

[Momma2dakidz]

Yikes.........as an animal rescue person i see the animals being given away alot for this reason.

Here are some suggestions.....confine the cats to one room. (add an air purifier to that room and make sure the return heater vent has a filter on it.) Decontaminate your house. hire professionals to clean carpets and furniture. Take down and wash curtains and wash walls. wait a few weeks and see if this helps. a one room life is better than no life at all.

I am HIGHLY allergic to tabby cats but callicos and other colors are fine. I frequently stop in a cat shelter and play with the cats. i am fine UNLESS i pick up a tabby then my throat itches and nose and eyes run. I recently found out that my parents knew when i wass younger and shots were an option.I wish they would have gone that route! That might be something to think about.

I also just want to remind you.....people use nice sweet cats as dog bait so be carefull if you rehome them!!!!

 

[Manda]

I'm very allergic to cats and DS is also allergic. Until a couple months ago, he'd lived with cats all his life (kitty died over the summer). He's 6 and was diagnosed at 1.5. I've been allergic all my life and have lived with cats all my life as well. If he's been with cats since birth, it's likely not the cat allergy that's causing his reaction. When you are around cats all the time, it creates the same sort of allergic reaction suppression as allergy shots. It's people who aren't around cats and have allergies who have the instant allergic reaction when they come near cats.

I'd cut out all the other allergens first and then revisit the cat issue if he's still having issues. With DS, once we took care of the food allergies, he was fine even with the cats around. We did, of course, keep the cats out of his room and clean frequently, and use various anti-allergen sprays, filters, etc. He does take the occasional Zyrtec, but he has some seasonal/environmental allergies as well, so there's no way to know what's bothering him for sure when he gets sneezy and itchy-eyed.

The only time in my life that I didn't live with cats was when I was away at college - then, suddenly, without cats in my life every day, I would come home to my parents and react to the same cats I'd lived with until I moved away. I'm actually concerned now that our cats have all passed because I know that DS and I will now start reacting to cats when we are around them at other people's houses. Of course, with known allergies, I wouldn't acquire a new cat - but I wouldn't instantly get rid of cats either.

Keep the cats out of sleep areas, change furnace filters often, vacuum frequently, wash hands after touching animals, etc. Our allergist never even suggested that we get rid of our pets when DS tested positive for the cat allergy - just told us to try to keep them separate, etc.

Especially in our situations, my cats both had fairly serious health issues that made them basically un-adoptable. I wasn't going to commit them to death without trying everything else first and while our reactions were easily treatable with an occasional Claritin or Zyrtec. He's allergic to grass and trees, too, but he still plays outside.

 

[Manda]

I just re-read your post and noticed the dust allergy, too. I just wanted to add that, in my experience, that's the hardest one to deal with it. I have fairly severe dust mite allergies and it's a constant daily issue. Did your doctor have you put him on daily Claritin or something? I wasn't diagnosed with the dust allergy until an adult and once I started daily medications, it was amazing - like I'd never realized that you could really fully breathe like that, LOL. Even now, if I skip medication for a few days or forget or whatever, I realize it when my head starts feeling heavy and feel more tired, etc. It effects your body in so many little ways and there's nothing you can really do to totally eliminate it from your life.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm very allergic to cats and DS is also allergic. Until a couple months ago, he'd lived with cats all his life (kitty died over the summer). He's 6 and was diagnosed at 1.5. I've been allergic all my life and have lived with cats all my life as well. If he's been with cats since birth, it's likely not the cat allergy that's causing his reaction. When you are around cats all the time, it creates the same sort of allergic reaction suppression as allergy shots. It's people who aren't around cats and have allergies who have the instant allergic reaction when they come near cats.

I'd cut out all the other allergens first and then revisit the cat issue if he's still having issues. With DS, once we took care of the food allergies, he was fine even with the cats around. We did, of course, keep the cats out of his room and clean frequently, and use various anti-allergen sprays, filters, etc. He does take the occasional Zyrtec, but he has some seasonal/environmental allergies as well, so there's no way to know what's bothering him for sure when he gets sneezy and itchy-eyed.

The only time in my life that I didn't live with cats was when I was away at college - then, suddenly, without cats in my life every day, I would come home to my parents and react to the same cats I'd lived with until I moved away. I'm actually concerned now that our cats have all passed because I know that DS and I will now start reacting to cats when we are around them at other people's houses. Of course, with known allergies, I wouldn't acquire a new cat - but I wouldn't instantly get rid of cats either.

Keep the cats out of sleep areas, change furnace filters often, vacuum frequently, wash hands after touching animals, etc. Our allergist never even suggested that we get rid of our pets when DS tested positive for the cat allergy - just told us to try to keep them separate, etc.

Especially in our situations, my cats both had fairly serious health issues that made them basically un-adoptable. I wasn't going to commit them to death without trying everything else first and while our reactions were easily treatable with an occasional Claritin or Zyrtec. He's allergic to grass and trees, too, but he still plays outside.

I agree with Manda. Try to eliminate the other things first, and see if one of those isn't really causing the worst reaction. One of my nieces is allergic, and they've had cats, just never allowed them in her room, near her face, etc.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ugh! That will not make your neighbors happy at all. Sorry but cats roam and nobody wants them pooping in their yard. On top of that if they are indoor cats it would be very hard and dangerous for them to suddenly be outdoor cats. I think it would be cruel. I would give the cats away. Sorry, but I would not even think about subjecting my child to shots and treatments when I could remedy the problem without doing that.

I had those shots, and I am SO thankful my mom got them for me! During the spring and fall, there were days I couldn't leave the house, my allergies were so bad. Since the OP's ds has other allergies, they might help with those, also. If the cat is the problem, however, since the shots are gradual, they won't help much.

 

[DISNEYNV]

My son had an allergy test at age 5 and he was allergic to our dog, among other things. We started him on allergy shots and advair and he he improved so so much. Last year we repeated the test and his allergic reactions for many things were zero and the ones he was still allergic to are much better. He continues his shots for maybe another 6 months or a year. We just got a puppy this summer and he has had no problem at all.

Everyones advice is so much appreciated!!! His doctor we saw yesterday did mention allergy shots, but it's hard with a child his age. I just don't want to cause my baby discomfort. I guess I will try cleaning the house very well, replace air filters, bathe the cats, and keep them in our finished basement for now. I didn't realize the dander is airborn too!! This will make it hard to control for sure. Aaahhh...

 

[DISNEYNV]

I just re-read your post and noticed the dust allergy, too. I just wanted to add that, in my experience, that's the hardest one to deal with it. I have fairly severe dust mite allergies and it's a constant daily issue. Did your doctor have you put him on daily Claritin or something? I wasn't diagnosed with the dust allergy until an adult and once I started daily medications, it was amazing - like I'd never realized that you could really fully breathe like that, LOL. Even now, if I skip medication for a few days or forget or whatever, I realize it when my head starts feeling heavy and feel more tired, etc. It effects your body in so many little ways and there's nothing you can really do to totally eliminate it from your life.

Yes! They put him on Zertek, singular, and Zantac. I hope all of this helps...he hates taking any kind of meds! It's a fight to get them in.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Indoor cats should always remain that way. The poor things would most likely end up sick/injured/killed if they were set free outside. It would be very cruel to do that.

I would never put my kitties outside! Two of them are declawed and the other never tries to get out. They will remain indoor cats and if I have to give them up it will be a friend or a cat rescue... I could never take them to an animal shelter...that is where I ADOPED them from.

 

[brymolmom]

Ugh! That will not make your neighbors happy at all. Sorry but cats roam and nobody wants them pooping in their yard. On top of that if they are indoor cats it would be very hard and dangerous for them to suddenly be outdoor cats. I think it would be cruel. I would give the cats away. Sorry, but I would not even think about subjecting my child to shots and treatments when I could remedy the problem without doing that.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it when my neighbors cats are in our yard - keeps the rodents away!!! In fact, a neighbor recently had to put one down and I was asking when they're getting a new one! We don't seem to have a problem with poop - cats tend to do it in more secluded spots I think than dogs.

Yes, I would never put my child on shots to keep a pet. Of course, I don't currently have any pets but I can't imagine one that I would keep in that situation.

GOOD LUCK OP!

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, I would never put my child on shots to keep a pet. Of course, I don't currently have any pets but I can't imagine one that I would keep in that situation.

GOOD LUCK OP!

I would prefer my kids get shots than take medication almost year-round. However, we're SO busy, and both our allergist and pediatrician are 20 minutes away, and I believe you have to do the shots weekly for the first year, and then monthly, and you can't miss. Ds11 has been tested for allergies (all seasonal, dust, and cats), and I'm taking ds6 in next week, because his viral induced asthma appears to be also allergy induced asthma now (missed 3 days of school already). If it's allergies, I'm seriously considering shots, and then will bring in ds11 as well. They really do work very well.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Something to remember is that shots do not work for everyone. My DH had them as a child and they did not work. He had them again as an adult and they still did not work.
Sorry, but I would not want my child to have to be on meds simply to live in our home. YMMV.

 

[mjkacmom]

Something to remember is that shots do not work for everyone. My DH had them as a child and they did not work. He had them again as an adult and they still did not work.
Sorry, but I would not want my child to have to be on meds simply to live in our home. YMMV.

But the OP's child is allergic to dust mites - that's a tough one. Even with the removal of cats (and again, I could never have a cat in my home, but there have been studies that children who were exposed at birth to animals tend to be able to tolerate them), this child will still need medication. Even now, I have to take year-round daily allergy medication, but my allergies are still SO much better after about 8 years of shots. I know they don't work for everyone, but most experience less allergic reactions.

I considered shots for my sinus infection allergy kid, thought it was too much work, but if my asthma kid fails the scratch test to the extent of my sinus infection kid, I'll consider them, because asthma attacks are way worse than sinus infections. I had my first asthma attack 2 weeks ago at bunco, and she had 3 cats (which weren't around - I was confused at first, because I had no idea she had cats). I've had hundreds of allergy attacks, but asthma attacks are not fun.

 

[ajpa]

FWIW, I knew someone who started exhibiting allergy symptoms once they got a second cat.
The amount of dander in the air with three cats and a hamster has got to be a lot. But maybe you can keep one pet, if it is kept out of the allergic person's room and stuff.
My dd is allergic to dust mites also. It is hard. The area to concentrate on keeping dust-free is her room.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

But the OP's child is allergic to dust mites - that's a tough one. Even with the removal of cats (and again, I could never have a cat in my home, but there have been studies that children who were exposed at birth to animals tend to be able to tolerate them), this child will still need medication. Even now, I have to take year-round daily allergy medication, but my allergies are still SO much better after about 8 years of shots. I know they don't work for everyone, but most experience less allergic reactions.

I considered shots for my sinus infection allergy kid, thought it was too much work, but if my asthma kid fails the scratch test to the extent of my sinus infection kid, I'll consider them, because asthma attacks are way worse than sinus infections. I had my first asthma attack 2 weeks ago at bunco, and she had 3 cats (which weren't around - I was confused at first, because I had no idea she had cats). I've had hundreds of allergy attacks, but asthma attacks are not fun.

You are right that many kids who always have a pet in their home are not allergic. We have dustmite allergies here too. What we did (and do) is replaced our fabric couches with leather. We have all wood floors with some area rugs. We use a dust mite killer on those that the allergist reccomended. We also have central air and we run the fan all year long to filter the air in the house. Our bedding and pillows get washed at mininmun 2x a week. Always in hot water. We also have the mattresses encased so no (or very little) dust mites there.
I know it seems extreme but we have had a tough road with allergies here. We also realized some foods were triggering allergy issues. We also changed our diets. The results have been amazing. We still have some allergy issues but overall it is so much better. Some of us in the house do use an allergy nose spray. It is like what they use in the shots in that they make a serum of what you are specifically allergic to and you use it in a regimen as prescribed by your doctor. This has made a tremendous difference. One of our children could not even be around animals and could not go to any home that had animals or they would have a severe allergy attack. Recently we went to a farm with petting zoo etc. and this child was able to pet animals and not even have a reaction. It was so exciting! Of course we wash hands etc. as always but even a year ago this would not have been possible.

There are lots of options but I personally would get rid of the animal, get rid of as much fabric/carpet/stuffed animals in my home and go from there. Having severe allergies are no joke. Especially in a child.

 

[Tistal]

admittedly, I didn't read all the replies; therefore, what I'm going to share may have already been stated.

I am highly allergic to cats. I have been since I was an infant (my dad is also highly allergic) and I always will be. There are two things from cats that your son can be allergic to the dander, oil or dander and oil (I'm "lucky" enough to be in the last category). As much as I'm sure that you love your cats very much you're probably going to have to get rid of them.

My aunt has cats and she is over the top obsessive about keeping her house clean. She shampoos her carpets every week and has leather furniture (which would not trap cat hair), and she pretty much spends most of everyday wiping down her home. The cat is limited to the parts of their home that it can visit, but dander and oils still travel on bodies and clothing. If I go over there I always have some sort of reaction. Granted, it is mild (probably because of her obsessive cleaning style), but I do still have a reaction.

Most of us do not obsessively clean our homes like my aunt. We keep them clean but not looking like they're ready for a picture on the front of Home and Garden.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, as things often get taken out of context on these boards, but I would be willing to bet the OP does not have allergies to animals or other airborne things. I have found that people who do not have bad allergies do not understand what it's like for those of us that do. I can never have my windows open because of my pollen allergies which is something that my sister cannot understand (I feel like I'm allergic to everything under the sun and she's allergic to nothing).

Being trapped with something that you're allergic to is an abysmal feeling. Hives, nose bleeds, vomiting, and even getting to the point that you can't breathe because you are trapped with what you're allergic to is not fun.

I'm sure it will be a hard lifestyle adjustment for you, but you'll probably have to find another loving home for your cats.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

admittedly, I didn't read all the replies; therefore, what I'm going to share may have already been stated.

I am highly allergic to cats. I have been since I was an infant (my dad is also highly allergic) and I always will be. There are two things from cats that your son can be allergic to the dander, oil or dander and oil (I'm "lucky" enough to be in the last category). As much as I'm sure that you love your cats very much you're probably going to have to get rid of them.

My aunt has cats and she is over the top obsessive about keeping her house clean. She shampoos her carpets every week and has leather furniture (which would not trap cat hair), and she pretty much spends most of everyday wiping down her home. The cat is limited to the parts of their home that it can visit, but dander and oils still travel on bodies and clothing. If I go over there I always have some sort of reaction. Granted, it is mild (probably because of her obsessive cleaning style), but I do still have a reaction.

Most of us do not obsessively clean our homes like my aunt. We keep them clean but not looking like they're ready for a picture on the front of Home and Garden.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, as things often get taken out of context on these boards, but I would be willing to bet the OP does not have allergies to animals or other airborne things. I have found that people who do not have bad allergies do not understand what it's like for those of us that do. I can never have my windows open because of my pollen allergies which is something that my sister cannot understand (I feel like I'm allergic to everything under the sun and she's allergic to nothing).

Being trapped with something that you're allergic to is an abysmal feeling. Hives, nose bleeds, vomiting, and even getting to the point that you can't breathe because you are trapped with what you're allergic to is not fun.

I'm sure it will be a hard lifestyle adjustment for you, but you'll probably have to find another loving home for your cats.

I agree with this 100%. I have horrible cat allergies. I break out in hives and have problems breathing within 5-10 minutes of being in a home with cats.

My sister didn't "get it" and one year brought her kittens to my moms for Thanksgiving -- despite me begging her not to! Within 20 minutes we had to leave because I was miserable and couldn't breathe. She just didn't get that I get physically sick around cats. And she just didn't get that my health should be a higher importance than kittens.

Your child is just 2 years old and is breaking out in hives and is sick. He probably also feels awful but can't express that yet to you. I would give away my animals to protect either of my kids from feeling the way I feel when around cats.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Agree with the other posters with cat allergies...my nephew came for a visit once and I immediately began sneezing uncontrollably, itchy, red, swelled eyes, etc. I asked him where he had been and were there any animals. Sure enough he had been playing with a cat! He had to shower and let me launder all of his clothes before I could be near him! I am REALLY allergic to cats, but can tolerate certain dog breeds (like our miniature schnauzer).

 

[squirrel]

The OP did not mention (unless I missed it) that her son was having trouble breathing. That would be the #1 reason to remove the cats from the house. If it's runny nose, itchy eyes or anything non life threatning then I would see if a friend or neighbour could temporarly take the cats while you do a good cleaning of the house to see if the dust mites or other things are causing the reactions.

Bring the cats back into the house or main area of the house to see if or what reactions are from the cat. I would hate for you to give away the family pets to find out he's allergic to somethine else.

My sister is allergic to my cat or anybody elses cat, but she has 4 cats at her house and is fine. She just has to remember if she touches another cat to wash her hands after.

I on the other hand am allergic to smoke. I avoid it as much as possible. Everytime I get exposed to it the worse my asthma attack is. After seeing the third person wandering around WDW with a cigarette in his hand I finally said something as I hurried by. So I can totally relate to the previous posters with asthma induced allergies. I am also allergic to grass and Alder trees. I use to take medication for it but eventually it stopped working. I then switched medications and after a month or so I realized eventually I may run out of medication that would work so I quit taking it. I still get some symptoms but they aren't too bad.

 

[Tistal]

I just took him to see an allergist yesterday and he is allergic to tree nuts, molds, dust, and our three pet cats and my five year olds hamster!

I'm not sure how everyone is missing this part. If the allergist is saying that the OP's son is allergic to cats there was probably an allergy test run. If this is the case, removing the cats isn't going to do anything except make him sick again when they return. The allergies won't vanish over a few days.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I'm not sure how everyone is missing this part. If the allergist is saying that the OP's son is allergic to cats there was probably an allergy test run. If this is the case, removing the cats isn't going to do anything except make him sick again when they return. The allergies won't vanish over a few days.

Exactly- the cats need to be re-homed.