Conference misery::feline_v1

    I have an allergy to cats and also lots of other things. So when
    my friends see this 16 pound long haired feline puncing upon my
    lap for some stroking, their first reaction is : " AHhh ,,, ".
    
    My solution was fairly simple: I take shots, but the difference
    is how my allergist arived at the shot effectivity.
    
    There's a fairly new approach to shots, called RAST, which basically
    is a mnemonic for something like "Radiological Allergen Snnnn Test".
    
    In short, the allergist draws a blood sample, and sends it off to
    this Lab in boston. The lab mixes traces of the "allergen" with
    some radiological tracer, washes away the blood aspects, then measure
    the residue on a "radio_isotope" instrument. The level of radiation
    is directly proportional to the degree of allergen(S) contained
    in the blood. With this information, your allergist can make the
    initial shots more accurately, and shorten the length of time it
    takes to come up to "maintenance level".
    
    However, I do keep the cat out of my bedroom.
    
    (I'm also allergic to most New England Tree pollens, and I can still
    hike and camp extensively.)
    
    						Bob :^)
    
    

I have an alergy which only seems to crop up when I visit my wife's
parents' home. We have one cat and they have three. Is it true that
someone can be allergic to a particular cat (or be immune to a particular
cat)? I can't be sure that it is a cat allergy, but it does not seem
to be season dependent, so I doubt that it is a pollen. I have also exhibited
the same simptoms, though not as bad, at my parents' house. They have one
cat. BTW, my simptoms are waking with itchy eyes which later becomes a 
stuffy head with sneezing. 

I must admit that I know squat about allergies so maybe someone could 
lend some knowledge.

Is immunity/allergy to a particular cat common?

Do my symptoms sound like a cat allergy?

Previously someone listed some cat-oriented preventative measures which
can be taken. What can I do for/to me to lessen the symptoms.

Contrary to the popular steriotype, I really like my inlaws, but this past
christmas was the pits.

Thanks in advance, 

Steve

    Re:  .2
    
    
    Try the search command, as search/notes=1.*-9999.* allerg
    
    Yes, I have heard that some cats can trigger allergies while others
    don't.
    

    Steve,  
    
    Do your parents and your inlaws have feather pillows?  I know my
    sister has the same type of reaction you discribe when she sleeps
    on this type of pillow.  Just an idea.
    
    Bernice

    re: .2
    
    A person can ABSOLUTELY be allergic to some cats and not others!
    
    Before I get a new kitty, or play with a friend's cat, I have to
    give it the "sniff" test -- if I hold it close to my face, and my
    eyes swell up (almost immediately) then forget it.
    
    I went to an allergist, and tested negative for cat allergy.  When
    I commented to him about my reaction to some cats he replied "Well,
    the dander that we use is from an 'average' cat, and since cats
    differ, it's possible that you're not allergic to 'average' cats".
    
    My husband thought that it was just that I was allergic to something
    that the cats got into, but his brother has 2 cats - different parents,
    but same lifestyle - and one ALWAYS gives me problems, but the other
    doesn't.
    
    My suggestion to you is to pump yourself full of "Allerest" or
    whatever over-the-counter antihistime will work for you, before
    you go to your in-laws.
    
    			- Lorri
    
    PS Are we *really* supposed to believe that you get along with your
       mother-in-law?  Come on !!!  :-)  :-)  :-)          

    Gerry is only allergic to Puppie, where as I am allergic to all
    of them except Justa.  I don't think that I let it affect how much
    I pet each cat, but I must admit that Justa gets a few more "face
    snuggles" than the other guys (isn't she lucky?!?).
    
    Marion
    

    I have siamese who has an allergy ( to people perhaps?).  Is there
    a topic on allergic cats rather than cat allergies?

    Hello folks,
    
    	I know that this particular topic has been 'dead' for a long
    time, but I would like to re-open it with a few questions.
    
    I have always suffered from hayfever but was O.K. with cats untill
    about 5 years ago (age of 22) at this point a cat which I had been o.k.
    with for a couple of years started giving me runny noses & itchy eyes,
    this was an ex girlfreinds cat which I only saw at weekends. Since then
    every cat which I have had close contact with will set me off. 
    
    I have had a quick look at the 'allergic to cats' type notes in
    here and have noticed many people say that after a couple of weeks
    they get used to a cat and have no further trouble from that particular
    car, I would like to know is this common or is it unusual?
    
    My wife wants a cat, so do I for that matter, but I would prefer
    to have a mongrel from the Cats protection league or something similar,
    rather than a special breed.                              
    
    If anyone could offer some advice I would be gratefull
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    Martyn.
    
    
    
    

    Hmmm, I'd give it 4-6 rather than 2 weeks, and be prepared for
    a bit of discomfort.  However, it does get easier the more
    cats that you get - I hardly had any trouble with numbers
    5 and 6!  ;-) ;-)
    
    I have rather severe asthma especially in winter, but I'm
    such an old softie I can't even keep them out of my room.
    Most of the time I keep the door shut, but if I happen to
    be ironing or something, I get this little furry crowd
    sitting patiently outside waiting for me to come out!
    Sometimes I let them each in for a few minutes one at a
    time.  You should see them !!!  They look so puffed up
    with importance "*I'm* going in to Mommy's room!"
    
    You should keep the cat out of your bedroom until you are
    well used to it, so that you have a "safe zone" in
    the house, where you can breathe free.  It does help
    the transition quite a bit.
    
    Good luck to you, and believe me, it's well worth it!!!!
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane, Charm, Dream, Boogie, Mips and Belle

    I recollect from the older notes that there is now some medication
    which does a good job on controlling this allergy without the side
    effects of sleepiness, etc.  You might consult a good allergist (not
    the nitwit kind that says "no cats.")
    

    I find that I adjust to a new cat in a few weeks. Cats are the least
    of my alergy problems. I can't take any of the popular OTC products.
    
    The drug I am taking now seems to have no bad side effects, and
    does a reasonable job on my symptoms. It is Hismanal. I have been
    taking it since may '89.
    
    Kirk
    

One add'l suggestion:

an indoor-only cat doesn't pick up pollen/dirt that can add to the problem.
I have adapted to my cats - but I could not adapt to a cat I lived with
when it went outside ---- I was miserable the whole time I was in that
house (months) but I quickly adapted to the four I live with now.  The
only difference my doc and I can figure is the controlled environment for
the "four-footers" in the family.

    re: allergy medication - another of those newer no side effect meds
    is Seldane and I swear by it.  I also cant take any OTC meds.
    Pseudoephedrine makes me crazy!!