"You have a strong allergy to cats," the doctor told me. "You may want to think about finding a new home for your cat."
Find a new home for Inca? I couldn't see myself doing this. I would just have to learn to cope with the allergy. I had enjoyed cats since I was very young and now depended on them as a source of comfort and companionship.
I began taking notes about how I cared for Inca and myself, and I noticed that some of the things I did and did not do resulted in a lessening of the allergic symptoms. The following tips are based on my experiences since that emotionally painful discussion with the doctor in 1996. Perhaps they will enable others to share in the benefits I have enjoyed.
This lessens exposure to other allergens, such as pollens, which your cat can carry in on her fur.
brushing helps, especially if the cat has long or thick fur and sheds a lot. Brushing was more of a necessity with my dogs than with Inca, but I found that she enjoyed it and it did cut down on excess fur and dander.
Hair and other airborne allergens get collected in the filter, and the cleaner the filter is, the cleaner breathing air is.
Certain foods have a reputation for producing mucus in the throat, even for people who are not allergic to them. Since allergic symptoms include sinus problems and mucus in the throat, minimizing the intake of foods which produce similar symptoms will enable better monitoring of responses to interventions for allergies. Good foods to eat include fruits and vegetables, poultry, and fish. Wheat, dairy products, and sugar have a tendency to cause problems for many people.
Water helps to break up mucus in the nose and throat.
Even if kitties don't sleep on the beds or blankets, hairs float around and cling to the linens. These can be inhaled during sleep. Use a good lint brush to clean the hairs off couch cushions and similar things which cannot be washed.
Antihistamines and decongestants are very helpful. Using these before going to bed maximizes the benefit because more mucus is produced at night than during any other part of the day. Pet dander can also trigger asthma attacks.
Some medications are designed to prevent problems from occurring rather than treat them.
Petsmart sells a product called Allergy Relief for Cats which is applied without water. The process is quick and just a little unpleasant for the cat; but the shampoo dries within moments and the cat is fluffy and happy again. Weekly use reduces dander, resulting in relief of allergic symptoms.
When I take these steps, I do not suffer because of the choice to keep Inca. In fact, over the years, I built up an immunity to cats; and in 2002, I moved into a home with roommates where in time we had eight cats! I was healthier while living there than I had been while living alone during a time when Inca had been in foster care with my parents!
I now have three cats. We enjoy our time together, and I am at least nearly as healthy with them as I would be without them.
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