Conference misery::feline_v1

    This is slightly off the topic, but I read in the newspaper this week
    that substantial advances had been made in allergy medications in
    recent years, and the doctor quoted said that people who couldn't
    tolerate being around cats, for example, even with medication, but who
    hadn't been to the doctor about it in several years should certainly
    recheck with their doctors about the new medications.
    
    

    Does her nose run more inside with the cats than outside?  I've
    noticed that the ragweed is out.  
      Even if she is slightly allergic to the cats have her try some
    allergy medicine.  My husband lives quite comfortably with our
    four cats and he's allergic to them  :-)
    

allergic responses can run all the way from a few sneezes and a runny nose to
rashes, edema, and asthma-like attacks in an individual, depending on the
sensitivity of the individual and the exposure level to the allergen.  Your
sister may well be allergic, and if so, is possibly allergic to more than just
your cats..allergies seldom are THAT specific...if you are allergic to one
thing, you probably have some level of response to several others as well.  Has
your sister ever reacted when around other animals?  Dogs?  Chickens or other
birds?  Has she suffered from "summer" colds which could be really allergies
to plants?  Only her allergist will know for sure.  Perhaps a check-in with
your doctor is in order to get a perscription of a mild antihistamine to
suppress the allergic reaction.

Re:  more allergic to siamese than other cats...I had not heard that, but
the cats are more likely, it seems around here anyway, to have dry skin
and drop skin flakes - that may be why the siamese is considered "more"
of an allergen.  The skin flakes or dander is what the sensitive person
is reacting to, not the cat's hair, by the way. 

	D-who-is-allergic-to-almost-everything-it-seems

    re: .2 & .3
    
    My sister-in-law is here temporary from Venezuela.  She is being
    exposed to new and different things here.  She spends the majority
    of her day in my home with my 2 Siamese.  We take her out at
    night to dinner, movies, etc. while she is on vacation here, taking
    a vacation day here and there.
    
    She started with the runny nose about 3 days after she arrived -
    and it hasn't stopped since.  She is not exposed to any pets
    in her home or vicinity.  Not too many people in Venezuela have
    pets, (like cats & dogs or so I'm told) but have birds.  
    
    I'm baffled.  Even the over the counter medicine isn't helping
    and we've tried Contact, Sin-off (or something like that), 
    Drixoral, etc.  Luckily, she only has another 2 weeks with us.
    However, this isn't helping her "once-in-a-lifetime" trip to
    the U.S.
                                           
    
    Shelly, Selina & Mijo
    
    
    P.S.  The killer is that she loves the cats and they love her.

    Tell her to be sure she washes her hands after patting the cats
    and to keep them away from her eyes and nose.  That may help some.
    
      Also, keep the cats out of the bedroom where she's sleeping. 
    That will help cut down on the exposure.  My guess is that she's
    allergic to a number of things and her allergy may be worse if
    she's NEVER exposed to allergens like cat dander.
    
        Most of the over-the-counter meds contain the same ingredients.
    its either PSEUDOEPHEDRINE or a mild anti-histamine, the name of
    which escapes me at the moment.  Its too bad she can't get her
    hands on some Seldane or the other new 2nd generation anti-hist-
    amine thats just come on the market.  But she'd need to get those
    from a doctor.
    

                This helps me - the majority of the over the counter
        allergy medicines contain the same main ingredient, so if one
        doesn't work, the rest aren't likely to. There are a few which
        have a different main ingredient - one is Chlor-Trimeton. This
        helps me with my allergies (cats is only one of the things I'm
        allergic too!) and the other stuff does as much good as a drink
        water. p.s. take it before the symptoms start and it works
        better.
                
                Good luck.
                
                /s/     Bob

    With all the wet weather we have been having the mold spores are
    VERY high. Maybe it isn't the kitties or it could be change in
    altitude. All of the above makes noses run and eyes water and throw
    in a sore throat for good measure.
    
    Maybe she could go to a good pharmacy and talk with the pharmacist.
    They many times know more than the doctors what's available.
    
    Following Nancy DC's suggestions should help a lot if it is the
    cats.
    
    I hope you sister enjoys her vacation as much as she can and has
    a safe trip home.
    
    Barbara

Re: last several

I agree, visit your pharmacy.  My wife is allergic to cats, and she uses
Chlor-trimeton, or a generic equivalent, when her allergies act up.  She
swears by it.

You may also want to vacuum extra often, it keeps irritants from being kicked
up while walking across the carpet.

Paul

    The reply about keeping allergens out while sleeping is advice I've
    heard from a doctor, too.  Try shutting the bedroom door and running
    an air cleaner at night (without fragrances, of course).
    
    It could be your laundry detergent, perfumes, other fragrances used
    around the home, food, carpet ....  Does sitting in the bathroom with
    the door closed and the shower running help?  If so, it's probably an
    airborne allergen.

    Good luck!
    
    						-- Ed

    re: .6 & .9
    
    
    Well, it looks like I'll be picking up the Clor-Trimine on the
    way home for work.  I also like the idea about washing the
    hands after touching them - that I never thought of.
    
    Thank you all for your ideas.  When I take my sister-in-law
    with me tonight to go to the pharmacy, I'll be doing a lot
    of translating.  She doesn't speak a word of English!!!!!
    
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Shelly, Selina, & Mijo

    Some advice ...
    
    I have just adopted a new kitten (my first) to keep me company in
    my apartment and yes, I have allergies.  What I have been doing
    is taking a damp face cloth and running it over the back of Elliott.
    By doing so, it is keeping the dander down and my kitten cool. 
    I also have a dust buster that I use on him every night since he
    has longer fur.  Elliott sleeps with me at night and I'm fine, but
    as soon as I go outside I begin to get stuffed up.  
    
    Another thing I noticed is that If I use a scented cat litter I
    sneeze uncontrollably.  I now use the unscented with baking soda
    and things seem to be better. 
    
    I also have made an appointment with my allergist to assist me
    in this terrible humid weather.
    
    Hope this helps!
    
    
    
    Steve

    Hey Steve.  How did you ever get Elliott to put up with the 
    dust-buster.  Mine all head for the hills when I pull it out.
      Nancy DC
    
    p.s. Did you name Elliott after E.T.'s friend?
    

    Hi Nancy,
    
    What I simply did was to tickle my kitten's belly and let him play
    with my hand while I used the porta-vac on the carpet next to him.
    At first he was alarmed, but I continued to scratch his belly, ears,
    and back and give him more attention.  By this I think Elliotte
    realized that (The Vac) would not harm him.  I then proceeded to
    use it on his belly for a short second and give him a treat when
    it was done.  By doing so, he has allowed me to continuously vaccum
    him.  Porta-vacing is extremly helpful to those who have long haired
    cats.  I have to take every precaution available to keep my allergies
    in tact and to keep my kitten.  (He's great!!!)
    
    P.S.  Elliott was named after T.S. Elliott (author of those great
    cat poems from the musical!)

    Excellent example of training!!  The lengths we'll go to to keep
    our FFM's (Feline Family Members)!
      N