Any hints for allergies to cats? Air purifiers?

trudy1

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This may be out of place for this forum..I looked at all of them trying to decide where. Anyway guess moderator will move it if necessary.

We have 4 cats inside the house and my wife loves them but is really allergic!

So my question is does anyone know of a room air purifier that really works? Or is there such?

I know there are a lot of gimmick things out there but I need one that really works to give her relief in at least one room of the house.

Thanks in advance

The daddy of dolly, Molly, , spunky, Sammy ( the cat kids)
 

Draco

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An air purifier with a HEPA filter really helps. Constant dusting and vaccuuming of each room and keeping the cats out of the bedroom is really the best thing to do.

You can also wipe the cats down with a damp cloth to help remove dander and fur.
 

catpack

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I would think a purifier with a HEPA filter would be best. But, not sure if this will be enough for someone that is seriously allergic. There are members here with cat allergies, so hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon.

I do know that bathing the cats regularly, or at least giving them a good wipe down can help in some situations.

Does your wife currently take medication to help with the allergy? I have a cousin that is a vet who is also allergic to cats and dogs. He takes allergy shots and other medication to control the symptoms.
 
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trudy1

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Yes she takes allergy shots, pills and any over the counter stuff.

I guess I would like to talk with some of the more allergic members of the forum to see what air purifiers really work for them.

Bathing dolly might work but Sammy would naw your arm off!!

Anyway hoping for real time experience from some members but

Thanks for being willing to help
 

AbbysMom

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Hello! :wavey: I have asthma and I am very allergic to cats. I have to limit it to one cat. I get shots, take zyrtec, use flonase, etc. It can still get bad.

I have one of the bigger more "old fashioned" type air purifiers that I use periodically in the winter -

http://www.sears.com/honeywell-50250-s-air-purifier/p-03212433000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10

I have no experience with the ionic ones, but I've heard they don't work as well for asthma and allergies. I like to open the windows occasionally, even in the winter, just to get some fresh air in the house and some cat dander out. Abby is not allowed in our bedroom for the most part. If I pet Abby or handle of her stuff, I absolutely have to wash my hands right after. I wear a dust mask when cleaning. I have throws on her favorite places to sleep and wash them frequently.

There are some more suggestion in this article -

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/living-with-cat-allergy
 

molly92

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I used to be very allergic to cats, and after several years of allergy shots I'm just a normal level of allergic rather than dangerously allergic. I did start the allergy shots during my teenage years, which I have heard is when they tend to be the most effective, but people of all ages have been known to benefit.

I've had 1 cat at a time for a few years now. I haven't used an air filter, but I do use a vacuum with an allergen seal and I'm very careful when I empty it. I no longer have asthma thanks to the shots, and zyrtec can keep most of my symptoms at bay most of the time. If I'm petting my cat a lot or brushing her or she lies on top of me, I do need to wash my hands with soap and water and be careful about touching my face, or the swelling, itching, and sneezing will start.

What I found really helped me with foster cats I've had is a waterless bath, specifically with the Tropiclean dander reducing foaming shampoo. My current cat hates it so it's not worth it unless I have company, but other cats were a little more tolerant and I noticed a dramatic reduction in my symptoms for a couple days after "bathing" them. It's not as traumatic as a full bath, and it also smells amazing.
 

angels mommy

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Yes, I think a good purifier will help too. I haven't yet checked out the links others posted above, but I bought this one late last year, & so far, I love it. I narrowed it down to a few I liked on amazon, then read the reveiws!

The reviews are always important. 

This is the one I got. It says it's currently unavailable right now though. I am currently looking for the replacement filter for it on there. Waiting to hear back from amazon, since I couldn't find it on there. I don't quite need one yet, but want to have it for when I do in a few months.  I am very happy with it, & it was the most I wanted to or could spend on one, so it's great w/ great reviews for the price.  

It also works great as a white noise machine when I take it in the bedroom at night. 


 

missmimz

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I would consider getting high quality air filter. These are the best you can gethttp://www.iqair.com/home-air-purifiers check out some of the reviews I think it will help immensely 

BTW they are Hyper HEPA filters    http://www.iqair.com/home-air-purifiers/healthproseries I have one and swear by it 
I have two of these too. They are very expensive, but they are SO worth the money. My boyfriend is allergic to cats, and we have 10, these filters are a life saver. 
 

MoochNNoodles

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It's 3 days later but I'll chime in here. 


DH is allergic to cats.  Our girls are not allowed to sleep with us.  We used to keep them out of our bedroom altogether; but they like our closet, under the bed and the master bath as escapes from our young children.  Over time they have bothered DH less; but other people's cats will still make his allergies flare up.  He takes claritin.  We do vacuum the couch from time to time and change pillow cases frequently.  Even if they aren't in our bed; he's likely bringing some amount of dander to bed after reclining on the couch.

We used to have an air filter for our bedroom; but the noise was terrible on my ears.  One thing that I think makes a big difference (I know it does for my seasonal allergies!) is quarterly changing of the air filter on our HVAC system.  We don't get the most expensive one Lowes carries; probably the next step down.  it's worth it.  Growing up I don't think my parents changed the filter very often; if at all and my allergies were MUCH worse.  

We used to be more careful about changing clothing before getting into bed; but since they don't bother him as much we've pretty much stopped doing that.

I think everything else was covered so I'll stop here. 
  

I hope your wife is able to get some relief.  For the first almost 2 years of our marriage we didn't have any cats.  My last childhood cat passed 3 weeks after we were married.  I was so in love I guess I didn't really consider what it would be like not having cats.  I ended up missing them so much I'd find myself playing with the virtual cat "assistant" they used to have with MS Word.  
  I really appreciate that DH recognized what they mean to me.  He loves them too of course; but it wouldn't be as hard on him as it would on me to be without one. 
 

crystalluvscats

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LilBeezy


Has anyone tried any over the counter allergy meds that work well?

One that doesnt make you groggy? 

My 17 year old has been having her kitten now for 8 months.

She always suffered allergies before but occationally

and we have always has a house of cats as well.

 

But since she got this one Lilbeezy  

her allergies have been worsened.

I wouldnt say she needed shots or prescription drugs. 

but she surely needs relief. Her kitten literally sleeps on her chest every night

or on her pillow by her head, which does not help the matter.

and I have griped over and over about it but she is not 3 and cant easily bribe her. "

So thats where I am with this allergy bit.. 

Stuborn 17 yr old who loves her kitten more than anything. 

just really protective of her kitten. and i cant fuss about it

cause she takes such good care of her kitten. 

Before I could even mention it was time to fix Lilbeezy

at 7 months, she had already made an appt! 

So moms proud. 

But this momma wants to do whats best for her baby too!

so any help on advice/suggestions on over the counter meds that work 

and dont make you groggy is greatly appreciated.  

She really needs relief and she does go to school during the day so cant afford to be groggy.. 
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artiemom

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I have a lot of allergies also. I am also allergic to cats. I have just one cat.

I tried to keep him out of my bedroom, but that did not work. He just kept sneaking in and running all over the place, so I gave up. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment with one great room separating one bedroom and bathroom from the other. It was really not beneficial for me to close off my bedroom. I keep his litter box in the other bathroom. I also set the other bedroom up as his safe room, however, he prefers my bedroom. 

I have an air filter in  the bedroom, using it at night, or when allergies are really bad. This time of year is the worst time for me. The month of May is when I notoriously get sick..even before the cat. 

At first, I was meticulous about washing my hands after each petting. I kept my bedroom door shut. That was a mistake. He kept me up for 3 nights, crying, jumping at the door, scratching the door, howling. I tried....

Artie kept sneaking in each time I opened the door to use the bathroom or get something. The last straw was when I opened the door, laundry basket in hand, Artie ran in and ran all over the room, jumping on everything. I just decided that was when the room was 'contaminated' by him, so I gave up.

I also open the windows up, just a bit, every day to air the place out. Allergy season, not as much. I put my AC on earlier than others. I also change my own furnace filters, every 3-4 months. The building only does in once or twice a year. 

I use eye drops when necessary. I take zyrtec or claritin daily. I also have asthma. I do not use the steroid spray. I hate steroids. 

Artie now has free run of the apartment. His 'safe' room has now become my bedroom. His bed is now my bed. He is a cuddlier. Once I discovered this, I realized it was not fair to him to keep him away from me. I am his person. I think I built up a bit of an immunity to him. He sleeps with me now, is always next to me, and curls up on my lap when I am watching TV. 

When I adopted him, I took him to the groomers once a month for a good brushing and a waterless shampoo. He was not happy about that, but I feel that helped me a lot. Now I can brush him myself. I no longer give him a bath. The groomer suggested wiping him down with the wipes in-between shampoos. He hated that. I also use the sensitive skin, non-frangrence baby wipes on his bum...

I am wishing you luck...I felt the air cleaner helped me more than anything. I do not have a top of the line model, just one I picked up at Target. Next time, I may buy a more expensive one. I change the filters regularly, vacuum, at least superficially twice a week, some weeks only once. 

Good luck
 
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crystalluvscats

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Thank you, I  bought her some claritin the 24 hour . But she doesnt think it works, i told her try it a couple days she only took it once . told her it works through out 24 hours not like these other ons.. will try the other one u mentioned also.  She keeps her litter box in her room, which i do not like that. she doesnt want the other house cats using her cats litter box.   as i mentioned she is so funny about her cat.. strict diet and everything when it comes to her kitten..  so i know that plays on her allergies also.l i dont think that s a  healthy inviroment to have that there.  she joined the sight a couple days ago so i am hoping she will get her some good knowledge here. Thank you will look for an air purifier also..  
 

molly92

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Zyrtec makes some people drowsy, but it's never made me drowsy at all and I've taken it on and off my whole life. It works pretty well for me, but what works for each person really varies. Flonase is another nondrowsy option I think. Both my parents do well on that.

She can also try throwing her pillowcase in the laundry every few days to reduce the amount of fur and dander close to her face at least a little bit.
 

crystalluvscats

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you are so right tht would help a great deal to wash more often cause I do see cat hair on her bed.  I will def  start doing that more often. was doing once a week but 2-3 times a week would help better for sure. And as for the wipes, should that be done every day? Wiping kitten with wipes..  And just any non fragrance wipes?
 
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