Conference misery::feline

new allergy treatments coming down the pipeline:

in final FDA approval right now - a de-sensitizing treatment for allergies
which consists of aresol sprays to inhale.  The treatment is much more
intense, and effective much quicker than the shots now used.  These
desensitizers will be created for many allergens in the next few years.
Your allergist is a good source of information on new treatments.  Tell
him/her you are interested and when the drugs become available you will
be the first to know.

New allergy treatments available now:

Seldane and Hismanel - both ingested in pill form and very effective
at controlling symptoms without drowsiness or other serious, cronic
side-effects.  Hismanel is assciated with some weight gain, but diet
and exercise control can take care of that.

Other possible, though often overlooked sources of allergens in your
environment:

	bedding - pillows can be made of allergens (feathers and down),
		  and they can also become a concentrated source of
		  dust mites.  Always buy hypoallergenic pillows and
		  wash at least once a month.  I wash mine weekly.

		  down comforters are a real problem, as are feather
		  beds.  Both should be avoided by anyone with
		  possible problems.  Normal comforters are also
		  implicated because they are big and we often don't
	          wash them often enough.  Comforters and blankets
		  should be washed at least once a month - more often
		  if house dust is the primary allergen you suffer
		  from....I wash mine every two weeks..at a minimum.

	food - yep.  Food allergies can often show up as problems with
		 breathing, congestion, sneezing, swelling of the face,
		 neck, and hands.  Some people also react with sudden
		 muscle spasms in the legs and arms, tingling in the
		 extremities, and the more commonly expected, hives
		 or facial blotches.  Interestingly enough, I know two
		 people who BECAME allergic to food items that they
		 had eaten with no problem for years - mustard in one
		 case and MSG in my mother's case.  Again, a cronic
		 reaction pattern calls for a visit to an allergy
		 specialist.

One final comment on WHY you should pursue professional help with allergies.
Untreated, and unidentified, allergies can lead to damage to the lungs and
impaired breathing like emphysema, an enlarged heart, high blood pressure - just
to name a few of the problems.  Untreated sensitivities can only get WORSE,
and they virtually always do.  It is often virtually impossible to avoid 
an allergen entirely.  Even if you don't have cats, for instance, your 
co-workers probably do and they clothes and automobiles are sources of the 
problem.

    RE: .0
           >                            Source of data: recent
	   >report on 20/20 TV show - Alpine Air filters have been
	   >indicated as a source of trouble.
    
    You mention "ventillation". Did they mention then if folks that have
    some of the newer "superinsulated" houses were the ones haveing the
    problem? My allergies have been better since I got my Alpine Air, but
    then I've got an older home with it's share of drafts and not much
    insulation.
    
    Deb

	2) OZONE-GENERATING AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS IN AN ENCLOSED
	   ENVIRONMENT...THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!  TOO MUCH OZONE
	   IN YOUR HOME CAN BURN YOUR LUNG TISSSUE, LEADING TO
	   HORRIBLY RESTRICTED BREATHING AND OXYGEN DEPRAVATION.

    I would like to address this issue.
    
    It is true that OZONE in too high a concentration is an irritant
    to lungs and other tissues.  This is why it is important to know
    how to set the purification level of an Alpine Air purifier 
    correctly.  People are instructed in how to do this when they
    demo or purchase a unit.  
    
    Lets face it, too much of anything can be dangerous.  Too much
    asprin is lethal but that doesn't mean you don't use it if its
    warranted, right?  You CONTROL the amount you use appropriately.
    
    We have been using our Alpine Air Purifier non-stop for over a
    year now.  I do aerobic exercise regularly - I run, walk and do
    aerobics 5 days a week.  I think that if the level of Ozone I
    was using was detrimental, I would feel it.
    
    Nancy DC
    
    

    Note:  We have an old house, however, two years ago we had all new
    windows installed - double pane vinyl replacement windows that are
    VERY air tight.  
    
    It is important that you use just enough ozone to react with the
    level of pollutants in your house.  I know that when the cat count
    gets low enough in her cattery, Cindy Gerry pulls one of the ozone
    generating plates out of her C150.  
    
    If you are concerned about the Ozone issue you are welcome to talk
    to Cindy.  She's had an Alpine Air longer than I have and she's
    not a dealer so she's not biased.
      Nancy
    

    One more note - the Alpine Air has two adjustments. One controls
    the fan and the other controls the amount of Ozone that is
    generated.
    

Additional clarification on the ozone-generating filters being the source
of breathing problems:

	1) The 20/20 show last week covered this subject very well.  They
	   mentioned Alpine Air as ONE manufacturer of filters that have
	   caused problems.  The program did not say to NOT use your
	   filters; however, it strongly suggested you err on the side
	   of caution and set for minimum ozone production, particularly
	   in cold weather when the house is virtually always closed up
	   and the air is dry.
	   They reported trying to talk to Alpine Air and the company
	   reps refused to talk on camera...but, this is not surprising
	   as I would also be reluctant to face an experienced reporter
	   on camera.  This doesn't mean the product is bad.  What the
	   show hi-lighted is the potential for damage if the user is
	   not informed and alert to changes in the climate that may
	   affect the need, or tolerance, for ozone.

	2) It is also important to remember WHAT the ozone does for you.
	   The ozone DOESN'T "kill" odor, for instance, but it DOES kill
	   mold spores in the air.  A quality air filtering system that
	   does not create ozone will clean odors from the air as well
	   as the ozone generators will...however, the regular filters
	   will not reduce mold concentration - which can cause allergies
	   in many of us.  The important thing to assess is what you need.

	   If you live in a dry climate as we do in California, for instance, 
	   you have much less need of ozone concentration in your air than 
	   a resident of Mass. might.
	   Residents of climate zones that have severe cold weather also
	   need less ozone when it is really cold, as cold air supports
	   less moisture while mold spores require for life.  Therefore, 
	   it can be relatively easy to get an overdose of ozone in your
	   home these days.

	3) if you get too much ozone in your home, you will know it.
	   Serious shortness of breath, constant exhaustion, and painful
	   breathing were mentioned as symptoms.  If you have no such
	   symptoms, you are safe.  If someone in your home
	   comes down with these symptoms, and they are IN the home
	   more than you, then you should certainly mention the air
	   filter to your doctor as a possible source of problems.

    Just a note about becoming allergic to something that has 
    been around a long time. It's sad but true that you can become
    allergic to your own pet that you have had for several months.
    This is from an allergist, and also from my own experience.
    What is worse, there is nothing you can do except keep the pet
    out of your room at night and bathe weekly. Nothing else works,
    not shots, not Allerpet, not tea. My allergist tried all of the above on
    his own daughter to no avail. The shots sort of work for a while,
    but if you take a vacation away from the pet, you are back to square 1. 
    I'm repeating notes I put in the old conference, but I don't want anyone 
    to keep getting their hopes up and then dashed the way it happened to
    me.
    
    Eileen

on an encouraging note:

recent studies of allergen reducing methods and their effectiveness have
shown that a weekly bath with plain tap-water is 90% effective in removing
dander and saliva flakes FROM THE CAT....this was published in a recent 
Good Housekeeping magazine(or was it Woman's Day...well, one of them).
In controlled studies, this was very effective in allowing people with
severe allergies to co-exist and even handle the cats that were bathed.
(My allergist was also aware of these studies, so they seem legitimate).

HOWEVER, the scientists also stipulated that you MUST remove
the offending allergen from your environment at the same time...this means
a very intense and THOROUGH vacuuming of the house - using a vacuum that
will TRAP the allergen rather than just blow it around the house, and
a complete wipe-down of all surfaces - damp cloth to keep dust from
spreading.  The real problem is removing the offending allergen from the
environment where it has collected, not in getting it off the animal.
The average vacuum cleaner is the worst enemy of someone with allergies.
The household dust, cat dander and saliva flakes, dog dander and saliva
flakes, etc are simply blown through the vaccum bag and INTO THE AIR
of the home, allowing them to settle on chairs, couches, beds, etc.
even drapes and other window coverings.  THAT is why the problem
continues, even though the animal is bathed regularly....you have several
months worth of allergen (or more) all over your home.

A helpful, and reasonably-priced solution:  Sears sells a multi-media
vacuum cleaner/indoor-outdoor vacuum/carpet cleaner device called,
cleverly enough, the VAX.  This was my mother's salvation...and mine.
Fill the water tank with water and vacuum the house.  The air is
blown through the water, and the allergens are filtered out into the
water, along with the dirt, etc.  Then, immediately throw out the water,
rinse AND DRY the container thoroughly.  My mother saw an increasing
lessening of allergic response each time she vacuumed for several
weeks.  She now is happily living with a cat and a dog.  The VAX is
less than 25% of the cost of the Rainbow machine, which works the
same way.  Although the VAX machine isn't advertised as a solution for
allergies, it works very effectively.

Additional note:  you'll be embarassed when you see how dirty the
water is the first time you vacuum....

I do wonder why DIGITAL hasn't stomped on Sears about the name, but
I guess the name was not copyrighted or something...

>>The VAX is
>>less than 25% of the cost of the Rainbow machine, which works the
same way.

price quote on a new Rainbow to me - $2,000.00 - The VAX could be
purchased on sale for approx. $250.00 or less last time I looked.

    re: 131.9 regarding copyrighting the name...
    
    I think DEC could only complain about copyrights if the product
    was computer related.  There are a lot of products that share the
    same name, but as long as they can't be confused with another 
    product (it would be very unlikely someone would confuse a 
    vacuum cleaner with a system!!), then it isn't a problem.
    
    Pam
    

    Actually, I think one of the main complaints Digital had was the
    advertisement "VAX Sucks".  For a vacuum cleaner, perfectly acceptable. 
    For a computer, well, probably not : )
    Sarah

re VAX and Rainbow:

So, are we talking about computers or vacuums here?  Does DEC still make
Rainbows?  I can't imagine them selling them for $2000 even if they do :-)

Jill, who is still not doing the allergen-removing tasks she should be doing,
cuz it's more fun to work on jigsaw puzzles :-) and the allergy drugs help
enough that I'm not suffering too much.

VAX sucks????  Oh, I LUV it!  I can imagine that someone at DIGITAL was
very uptight about that one...but, it is cute.  Oh well, back to our
regularly scheduled program....

    Has anyone tried the Saldane-D?  I just got some samples from my
    allergist.  He claims some people find it makes them spacey.  Well
    I don't find myself feeling spacey, just anxious.  I'm gonna give it a
    week to see how it goes, but I was wondering if anyone else has the
    same reactions.
    
    Michele

re: seldane-D

I am on this and I find it is really wonderful.  I don't see any side-effects
at all, and I do find that my breathing is easier...even on smoggy days.

Give it a try for at least a week before rejecting it....FYI:  I don't use
it at night.  I have another drug that has the more traditional side-effect
of making me sleepy, but which works well to decongest...named something weird
like UR-LA...I take this at night until the pills are gone...then I will
change over to seldane-D full time.  The difference I am seeing may be due to
the fact that I only take Seldane-D in the morning.

    I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has used (or knows someone
    who has used) the NILFISK or other special vacuum cleaners with HEPA
    filters for allergy sufferers. I'm considering getting one, as my
    husband has bad allergies and his doctor recommended it. But the
    expense (about $700) makes me want to make sure it's a good thing
    first.
    
    An earlier note talks about the VAX, but his doctor's literature
    specifically recommends against water-filter vacuums.
    
    Cats and dust mites are among his allergies. We actually don't have a
    cat anymore. Our beloved Chelsea died suddenly and unexplicably a month ago.
    Despite the allergies my husband wants another cat. It's worth it to
    him to live with the symptoms. But our 11-month baby is another story.
    He could become allergic. So, I'm investigating all the things I can do
    to make at bearable for an allergy-sufferer to live with a cat.
    
    Speaking of allergies, has anyone used ACAROSAN, the stuff you put on
    your carpets to eliminate dust mites? Ripping up the wall-to-wall is
    the best thing, I know, but putting in hardwood is another huge
    expense. And has anyone actually noticed a difference after bathing a
    cat monthly and using ALLERPET?
    
    Thanks,
    Andrea
    
    Any comments welcome. I'm cross-posting this in GADGETS.
    
    Thanks,
    Andrea

    

>    An earlier note talks about the VAX, but his doctor's literature
>    specifically recommends against water-filter vacuums.

the problem with water-filter vacuums is only present if you do not
immediately rinse out AND DRY the water container...every time you
use the vacuum.  It is a hassle, but it is also noticably cheaper.

    
>    Cats and dust mites are among his allergies. We actually don't have a
>    cat anymore. Our beloved Chelsea died suddenly and unexplicably a month ago.
>    Despite the allergies my husband wants another cat. It's worth it to
>    him to live with the symptoms. But our 11-month baby is another story.
>    He could become allergic. So, I'm investigating all the things I can do
>    to make at bearable for an allergy-sufferer to live with a cat.
    
3 big rules:  indoor-only cat.  groom cat regularly.  bathe cat regularly.
it really doesn't matter if the cat has long or short fur, baths are a
must, and so is frequent COMBING with a flea type comb to remove hair and
stuff.

>    Speaking of allergies, has anyone used ACAROSAN, the stuff you put on
>>    your carpets to eliminate dust mites? Ripping up the wall-to-wall is
>    the best thing, I know, but putting in hardwood is another huge
>    expense. And has anyone actually noticed a difference after bathing a
>    cat monthly and using ALLERPET?
    

I use the carpet spray, and i bathe the cats frequently with a good cat
shampoo, rinsing well after the shampoo.  i know when i have to bathe
the cats....my allergies get up.  if i stay on schedule of bathing and
keep my air filtering system clean, I have NO problems.  the carpet spray
really seems to help and i use it in my bedroom mostly for that reason.

Of course, i am taking de-sensitizing shots and I also take seldane-d
everyday...my allergy panel is so broad that i have no choice...i am
effectively allergic to all grass and trees in the USA.  i am also very
sensitive to dust mites and, if i allow them to go too long between
baths, my pets...however, i can live comfortably with them by keeping their
baths up.

    How does keeping the cat indoors help with your allergies?

>    How does keeping the cat indoors help with your allergies?

because I can control exactly what goes INTO my cats - therefore, I can
control their health to minimize skin flaking - which is a major cause
of allergies...also, cats cannot bring in grass pollens - which can drive
anyone with allergies up the wall as the pollen count builds up in the home.
grass pollen is small enough that the vacuum cleaner will just blow it thru
and it gets into the air each time the house is "cleaned" - bad news for
folks like me with defective immune systems.

In short, if you are prone to allergies, keeping your pet indoors allows you
to control your home environment and keep the allergens on your pet, your
furniture, and yourself down to a minimum.  I have never known someone with
allergies being able to keep an indoor/outdoor cat - eventually, the cat
is perceived as the source of the problem and is gotten rid of - when the
real problem was simply one of controlling the cat's contributions to the
allergens all around us...weekly baths, frequent grooming take care of that.

    
    How do you control skin flaking?
    
    ...................beth
    

>    How do you control skin flaking?
    
bathing regularly with a good shampoo, rinsing THOROUGHLY after each bath...
and feeding quality food.  It is true that what goes in counts.

FACT:  several scientific studies have shown that bathing a cat weekly 
WITH PLAIN TAP WATER will reduce the skin and saliva flakes in the home by 90%.
The cat's fur is inert, the skin flake and saliva are what make you
sneeze, etc..  so, if you keep the place vacuumed (using a FILTERED vacuum 
cleaner), and keep the cat bathed, even a very sensitive soul can live in
comfort with the cat.  I know I do - and they sleep with me in my bed at
night.

If a cat starts getting lots of flakes, I know something is not right - a
healthy cat shouldn't have dandruff - so then we go to the vet.

and I just make sure to groom often enough that I know when other
things are required....like baths or vet visits.    

	The Vauxhall Astra car sold in the UK has a filter device that filters
	out pollen from the air, I wonder how soon it will be before these 
	are adapted for vacuum cleaners. I wouldn't have thought it would be 
	long before the market was recognised.

	Heather

    I have an indoor/outdoor cat....and I have allergies.  Fortunatly I'm 
    not allergic to pollens, otherwise I'd have a problem.

    My husband is allergic to just about everything you can be allergic to:
    cats, dogs, horses, dust, dust mites, mold, the great outdoors...  I
    think keeping a cat indoors wouldn't help him with the pollen because
    he (my husband) still goes outside himself a lot. Really controlling
    allergies means giving up so much. For instance, he's allergic to
    horses, but we have two at home. He does wear a face mask when he does
    barn work though. We gave up the down comforter--that was an easy
    sacrifice. But we DON'T want to give up cats in our lives. I think if
    we get another cat it will get lots of baths right from the start. It
    sounds like that is the best thing you can do to make it bearable for
    an allergic person to live with a cat.
    
    And to think that Chelsea used to sleep with us the first few years
    we had her! Rick didn't develop the allergy until he lived with a cat
    for a while. The last few years we shut her out of the bedroom, and
    in the last year kept her off the second floor entirely...although she
    managed to sneak upstairs and INTO the basinette to snooze with my
    one-week old son! And just a couple of days before she died she jumped
    into the playpen to cuddle with my friend's sleeping baby. (Can you
    tell I want another kitty badly! I miss her so much.)
    
    -Andrea-
    

    Andrea, I also suffer from many of the same allergies as your husband. 
    I was miserable after an hour of visiting at my parents house (they
    have two cats).  I yearned to get a cat of my own for the longest time
    and then one day, just went out and got one cause it was more important
    to get a cat than worry about the sneezing and wheezing.  It was the
    best thing for me as I quickly built up an immunity to the cat.  Now we
    have three (yahoo!) and they don't bother me one bit.  

    This isn't always the case but I guess I just got lucky.  The doctors
    suggested we rip up all the carpeting and replace them with hardwood
    floors, get rid of the down comforter, put plastic cases around the
    pillows, etc....  We never did any of this.  After suffering from a
    concussion, my allergies are nothing like they used to be.  (have you
    tried hitting your husband over the head?  :^) :^)  An occasional douse
    of Seldane works wonders.  Thank goodness cause there's no way would I
    give up having affectionate cats in my life.

    I like that... the head injury approach to allergy treatment. I could
    probably arrange something with the horses...

    To combat my daughter's allergies to our cat when she comes home
    from college, I give the cat a bath once a week, whether she is home or
    not. I use allerpet on him
    (I did notice a difference in my daughter once when I didn't use
    allerpet - her allergies were a little more active), when she is home,
    I vacuum at least once a day, and just before she comes home, I shampoo
    her bedroom rug, the living room rug, the chairs, and the couch, and damp 
    dust everything in the house. Plus use an air purifier. She does not use 
    any  medications except for an inhaler when she has been cuddling the cat
    too much (she just can't resist!!). 
    
    This regiment helps her a lot. Her allergies were MUCH MUCH worse when
    I had an indoor/outdoor cat that I did not bathe. I think the bath,
    more then anything else, is what is making it tolerable for her.
    
    ng

                                                   
    My wife has been talking a great deal about getting a cat. I've never
    had pets and I'm a bit concerned about allergies. Does anyone know if
    there is a test one can take to see if they might be/are allergic
    to cats? Or does one have to be tested for a specific animal?
    
    The reason I'm asking is a number of the adoption notes list allergies
    as the reason the cat must be given up. I'd really hate to have her get
    all excited about a kitten/cat then find out she couldn't keep it.
    
    Thanks, Bill K.
    
    P.S. It would definitly be an indoor only cat and I've never had a
    problem visiting friends with cats.

    Bill,
    
     As one of the many in this notes file, I am mildly allergic to cats. I
    don't have much problem with my own cats, because my body is used to
    them. When I go to friends houses that have furfaces, I know I'm going
    to be cuddling and hugging them, so I take my allergy drugs about an
    hour before I get there, and that way they either don't bother me at
    all, or very mildly. It's worth it to me to be able to love those
    babies.
    
     If you have no problems visiting with friends that have cats, you
    probably don't have cat allergies. A test you can try though, is to go
    to a friends house that has really friendly kitties, and cuddle with
    them for as long as they will allow. If that doesn't bother you, you're
    pretty much assured that you are not allergic. You can be tested at an
    allergist's office too, but the test I mentioned is lots cheaper, and
    LOTS more fun!! ;-)
    
     Let us know if you decide to get a kitty, or two, or three, or...
    
    Y

A simply blood test can clear any lingering doubts up...however, I think
the idea of cuddling some cats is a good, cheap, and much more fun method
of testing for this allergy.

In general, if you groom regularly, keep the cat indoor-only so you aren't
dealing with grass pollens/flower pollens it can pick up on it's coat, and
bathe the cat once in a while, you shouldn't have any problems...even if
you have mild allergies.  A bath removes approx. 90% of the reasons why
people are allergic to cats...and, if started young, the cat adapts to
baths just like a dog does....not the favorite activity, but certainly
tolerable.

So, do a cuddle test and then adopt a cat.

    I would like to suggest too that when you do decide to get a
    cat that you either work with a breeder or shelter who will let
    you take the cat on a trial basis.   Atleast if it didn't work out
    it would be sad for you...but the cat would have someplace to go
    back to and you wouldn't have the worries of trying to find it a 
    new home.  
    
    I like the cuddle test myself!!!
    
    Sandy
    

	My thanks for the suggestions. While the 'cuddle test' maybe
	easier I'll probably try and have a blood test done. I am
	allergic to some obscure plant and mildly so to cigarette
	smoke. Unfortunately most of the neighbor cats are indoor/outdoor
	or have owners that smoke which could bias the test.

	I'm probably being over cautious but my wife has been extremely
	patient waiting to get a cat, over 9 years, and I really don't
	want to disappoint her. Very good suggestion about taking the
	animal on a trail basis. She will most likely adopt through a
	shelter.

	When and what kind of cat we get is entirely up to her. I'd guess
	sometime in April. The only question yet to be resolved, in her
	mind at least, is how many. She keeps mentioning cats and I keep
	saying cat. Luckily I've read the notes in here on how to convince
	your significant other to accept more than one pet. I've been able
	to spot all her little tricks so far. She can be a rather persuasive
	lady though.

	Thanks again,

	Bill K. (Also known as the Ogre when he replies 'Cat, singular,
		 as in one' to the how many can I bring home question. ;-)
                                           

    Ahhha persuasive lady....I like her already!! Actually Bill I find 
    two cats much less work then just one.  Two cats can keep each other 
    company, tire each other out, and there is nothing like seeing them
    cuddle together and cleaning each other.
    
    But of course your talking to someone who has multi cats!!  I remember
    the days I had only one..then two...then three..then four..and so on!!
    Yup...I do have a husband...but he brings home more cats then me!!
    
    Sandy
    
    

re allergies:

After we adopted our first cat (it was sort of a shot-gun adoption, actually,
as we weren't actively planning on doing it) I asked my regular doctor about
getting tested for an allergy to cats.  I suspected I was allergic due to
overwhelming evidence (e.g. the cuddle test, and the generic visit-friends test
even before we got Tigger) but I wanted to be sure (being an engineer and all
that :-)).  The doctor (part of an HMO, by the way) said if I thought I was
allergic due to the above evidence, then I was, and there was no reason to do
tests.  Eventually I bit the bullet and saw a real allergist, took the scratch
tests and found out all these things I was allergic to.

Or you can use the do-it-yourself scratch test :-)  Whenever Tigger scratched
me, (which was pretty often til I learned more about cats :-)) the area around
the scratch would swell up and itch.  this is just about what the allergist did
:-) :-)

Jill

    The cuddle test might not work if you have "mild" allergies.  I adopted
    a cat last fall, and have have developed a very mild allergy to him. 
    This was confirmed by a scratch test at an allergist.  I don't sneeze
    or wheeze, but my sinuses are mildly itchy 24 hours a day. Not bad
    enough to warrant medication, but just annoying enough to notice : )
    
    Sarah

Last night I saw my doctor (or his assistant) for 
the umpteenth time complaining of fever, sore throat,
aches, swollen glands, etc....  Its been awhile since
I had these problems.  Frequently, the doctor will
look in my ears and say, does your ear hurt?, and I say
no.  He/She then surprises me and tells me I have an
ear infection.  Most always I have a small fever as well.
This happens periodically.

Now, my blood has been tested for allergies and they
found nothing.  No cat allergies.  My first question
is this DOES THAT SCRATCH TEST WORK AND IS IT WORTH
THE MONEY?

My cats are indoor cats and I have a small apartment
so its tough for us to avoid each other.  Male and 
Female (Peter and Mary) sometimes sleep on my bed and
crave attention when I am home - which sometimes not
much lately.

I believe - truly fear - that my cats are killing me.
I have no health insurance and cannot afford lots
of expensive testing, but these chronic problems
have got to go.

I cannot see bathing my cats (who cry and scratch, thinking
they are being drowned or something) frequently and I
do vacuum often, but I suppose not enough.

Both Peter and Mary have very long hair and its on
everything.

I shudder to think about friends who've spent 
zillions on allergists who found little or nothing
wrong, after they have amassed huge bills and costs.

Worse yet, my doctor tells me I should see an infectious
disease specialist because of my recurring problems
(but that is another matter in and of itself).

Any cat owners out there with constant post nasal drip,
who find they've tried all sorts of drugs to no avail
and intermittently get my symptoms (once my lymph node
swelled up to size of golf ball.)

SOMEONE PLEASE WRITE ME OFFLINE WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE.

first, if the blood test shows no allergy to the cats, then the scratch
test won't either.  The scratch test is actually less accurate than the
blood test...however, scratch tests cover more allergens than the currently
available blood tests.  This will not be true for long as new tests are
developed.

Your symptoms may, indeed, be allergies.  However, as we can rule out your
cats, we must look elsewhere for the allergens.  You may be experiencing
allergies to:

	dust mites/household dust.  A very common allergy that is
	made worse by normal vacuuming - the only vacuums that really
	help are the water-filtered ones (dry climate only), or the
	hepa-filtered vacuum cleaners (all climates).  If your vacuum
	isn't properly filtered, it blows the allergens around and
	covers everything with them.  Of course, not vacuuming at
	all also is a no-no.  Get a dust mask and wear it when you
	vacuum..and dust everything immediately after vacuuming with
	a treated cloth in order to REMOVE the dust.  Wash ALL
	bedding often, including pillows - one a week or so...and
	vacuum your matress very well each week.

	cockroaches.  I know, you don't see them...and they can, and do,
	invade very clean homes.  Latest reports indicate that up to
	65% of the urban dwellers who were tested for allergies showed
	a reaction to cockroaches.  Only 18% show reaction to cats and
	dogs!  Treatment is to keep the house clean as indicated above.

	mold spoors - they float around in the air...and if it is humid,
	they can be a real problem for you.  Treatment is de-sensitizing
	shots.

	pollens/gases from trees/wood, including wood smoke.  This is
	a common allergy that is often undetected because it only happens
	in cold weather, and then it is attributed to really bad colds
	or flu.  Treatment is desensitizing shots.

	if from a milder climate, you can also look to pollens from lawns
	and flower beds which are already in full bloom.  Treatment is
	desensitizing shots.

Your cats can be bathed - and if you don't feel comfortable doing the work,
you can ask your vet to do it, or even find a groomer who will do the work.
Once cats know you aren't drowning them, they get better about baths..I
can do my 4 in 45 minutes.  It is always wise to keep them clean;  after all,
they might be moving the household dust around on their coats.  

Whatever the source, you can benefit from treatment from a qualified allergist.
They have a range of medications available that can make daily life easier,
and the desensitizing shots work...I am seeing a vast improvment in my
overall condition since I started the shots - it takes time, but it IS
worth it.

    I have chronic asthma, am allergic to cats and own four in a one 
    bedroom apartment.  All my cats are Persians, so there is hair
    everywhere.  They sleep with me, on me, all four, every night.
    
    I take Slo-Bid for my asthma, have inhalants, if necessary, but 
    otherwise live a normal life.  I refuse to give up my kitties.
    
    My answer:  Air Purifiers/Ionizers.  I have FIVE in my apartment.
    Extra added benefit:  NO Kitty odor.  My cleaning lady thought I
    only had one cat since they hide when she comes to clean.  When I
    told her I had four, she was in total dis-belief.  My apartment
    smells that fresh.
    
    There are solutions.  
    
    Pat

    Pat, are we living a parallel life? ;-)  I have asthma, am allergic
    to cats and have for in a one bedroom apartment too.  Only difference,
    they're not Persians.
    
    I take Seldane, Uniphyl, have 2 inhalers (one preventive, one for
    attacks), and a nasal spray I don't use very often.
    
    I had the scratch test done and discovered allergies to dust, dust
    mites, mold, feather mix, marselder and cats.  I was under the 
    impression that the scratch test was the more reliable test and that
    the blood test was not as reliable.
    
    My allergist recommends bathing the cats (all 4 of them) weekly,
    however, unless I'm showing them regularly I can't muster up the energy
    to do all 4 every week.  I'm about to start alternating 2 each, every 
    other week.  I also wear a mask (like the kind doctors or painters wear) 
    while vacuuming or dusting and that does help alot.
    
    With the recent weather we've been having (alternating from sunny to
    rainy almost daily) I've found that my allergies are really a problem.
    I am extremely congested in my chest all the time.  I think alot of it 
    is mold related.  The only other thing I can attribute the added 
    difficulty to is the increase in dosage of my allergy shots.  I've
    recently been bumped up and I've noticed that after spending 15 minutes
    being monitored, I leave the office and within 1/2 hour I have a large
    lump under the skin and a 1/2 dollar size red itchy spot around the 
    shot area.  We're (shot station & I) are in the process of figuring
    this new complication out.
    
    I'd like to know more about those air purifiers/ionizers you're using
    Pat.  Maybe one of those would help me.
    
    Jan

    I was told that the scratch test is all you need to do to determine
    what you are allergic to.  When I switched doctors he didn't even look
    at the blood test, he said it was a waste of money.  Every doctor is
    going to have a different opinion on this.  For me, the blood test
    didn't reveal anything new, the scratch test was sufficient.  I've had
    a few scratch tests done but I can't remember the cost.  
    
    Growing up I always had a stuffed, runny, itchy nose, luckily no
    asthma.  I remember being tested when I was younger but that was it. 
    In college I decided enough was enough and was retested and started the
    allergy shots.  For about 5 years, on and off due to moving, I've
    continued with the allergy shots.  I've finally gotten to a maintenance
    level (for the 3rd time).  I noticed a big difference when I stopped my
    allergy shots, my boyfriend did to - he couldn't stand my sniffling. 
    So now, all I do is have one allergy shot every 4 weeks.  Only if I
    feel REALLY bad will I take over the counter medication.
    
    From what I remember, I tested positive to dust, dust mite, cats, dogs,
    certain grass and tree types, and some food allergies.  I grew up with
    a dog and cat and now own two indoor cats.  I don't own an air
    purifier.  I can't say I feel like I don't have any allergies but I do
    feel well enough not to have any complaints.  I usually wake up a bit
    stuffy but it clears up by early morning.  I've got forced hot air
    heating so I think that can also be the reason for my stuffiness.
    
    Bottom line, if someone is experiencing allergy-type symptons I would
    recommend seeing an allergist, getting scratch tested and continuing
    from there.  
    
    My allergist suggested I try using a special mattress cover and powder
    on my rugs.  I've got the name of the products if anyone is interested
    just send me mail.
                                                                    
    ...Rania

    IF some of you, living in the Northeast, experience an increase in
    your symptoms, it may be the maple trees.  Just got back from a round
    of allergy testing and the allergist said that this time of year the
    sap starts to run, and so does your nose if you are sensitive to these
    trees!  I've never had a problem until the cat came to live with us,
    but the tests showed dogs (I've had them for 8 years without a
    problem), maple-oak-elm-orchard trees, and dust mites.  The reason I'm
    having such problems now if the wall-to-wall carpeting we just
    installed.  A lovely haven for dust mites! So, combine that with the
    maple trees starting to pop, and I'm dying! One thing I just did, which
    may sound rather drastic...I tossed out my draperies and substituted
    them with curtains which can be washed. Also installed miniblinds where
    I could get away with no curtains.  Both are easily washed, and can cut
    down on the dust/dander collection points. Tossed out the bed skirt and
    the rug in my bedroom, so at least I can sleep better. Just some
    environment ideas...Sarah 

    Bill,
    
    After reading your last few notes regarding the alergies and the
    problem with one of your cats eating plastic....it sure sounds like
    you are a very unhappy camper with your furfaces.   Are you sure
    finding them a new home...wouldn't make everyone happier.  Your
    comments about "they are killing me, your not home much, and
    the work you have to do when you get home" makes me feel this way.
    
    I know I now am taking care of 10 cats in my home...and it is alot
    of work.  I do cat things (scooping,feeding,cleaning) one hour in
    the AM and one hour in the PM....and yes sometimes it gets very
    frustrating...but I love my babies and couldn't live without them...
    so doing this work is just part of my job! 
    
    These comments are not to put you down...it just seems you are so unhappy
    about your cats...that maybe there is another solution.
    
    Sandy

    My allergist did 2 series of scratch tests, and then did a RAST (blood)
    test for nuts.  I told him I thought I had allergic symptoms for nuts,
    so he said the RAST test was SAFER than the scratch test.  Apparently
    if someone suspects they are allergic to something, and they get the
    solution put under their skin, they can have a serious reaction.  So
    of the blood test is the same as the RAST test, which I think they are
    becasue they draw blood for the RAST reading, then it's safer on the
    patient with known allergies.

    re: .45
    
    I would think you'd have to be super allergic to something for a
    scratch test to be unsafe.  
    
    Maybe I'm assuming all scratch tests are basically the same.  First, a
    drop of the allergen is put on the skin (for me it was my forearm) and
    then you are scratched with a needle.  After waiting 20 min. or so any
    scratches that DON'T show any signs of an allergic reaction (redness,
    swelling) are injected into your upper arm.
    
    ...Rania
    
    
    

    re: .46
    
    You are correct....if I eat anything with peanuts, peanut oil, almond
    oil, my throat starts to close up and I have trouble breathing.
    
    I make peanut butter balls and almond cookies at christmas (these are
    the most requested - figures ;^), and my hands swell up and turn beet 
    red from the oils in the dough. 

>    I had the scratch test done and discovered allergies to dust, dust
>    mites, mold, feather mix, marselder and cats.  I was under the 
>    impression that the scratch test was the more reliable test and that
>    the blood test was not as reliable.
    
The problem with the scratch tests is the level of reaction to the medium that
carries the allergen can vary greatly.  I had 357 different scratch tests...
and tested very allergic to all of them...including the sterilized water!!!
I am also very sensitive to the needles used to scratch into my skin..I
am reactive to any needles used for injections and always get an irritation
where I get a shot or give blood.  With a blood test, the results are stable
and can be more easily measured/analyzed.  When a scratch test is analyzed,
a nurse/technician simply "measures" the size of the bump that is raised by
the allergen under the skin.  Depending on the accuracy of the eyesight,
the time spent really looking at the skin, and the subjects reaction to the
"control" scratches, the assumption of allergic reaction may vary greatly.

As I said, however, the blood test doesn't test for nearly as many allergens
yet...but, they are working on it. 

    Back to air purifiers/ionizers.....
    
    My home is less dusty, (I also have two parrots), smells fresher and
    cleaner since I have used the ionizers/air purifiers.  For my own
    cleaning lady to think I only had one cat (when I have four Persians)
    should tell you a lot.
    
    I DO have my apartment cleaned professionally once a week...mainly
    because I hate to vaccuum.  NOBODY vaccuums like a cleaning service.
    It costs less than $40 a week and really makes a difference.
    
    I bought the ionizers AFTER a bout with asthma induced pneumonia from
    my allergies.  At the time I was also on an every-other-week schedule
    for my cleaning lady.  I bought the ionizers, upped my cleaning
    schedule and now can live with my cats.
    
    I  DO bathe them at least once a month.  Two hate it and two tolerate
    it, but I like the way they look and feel after the bath, and it also
    helps reduce asthma attacks.  
    
    I can't say  I NEVER have an attack, but their frequency has diminished
    significantly.  
    
    Air purifiers/ionizers cost about $70 each.  I have one in every room:
    living, dining, kitchen, bedroom, and study.  Buy the kind that have
    cleanable filters, not the kind where you have to buy filters all the
    time.  I pop mine in the dishwasher every week.  You would not believe
    all the dust, hair and gunk that gets collected and captured by them.
    ALSO don't but just an ionizer:  Get an ionizer/air cleaner.  That way
    you have dual action cleaning.
    
    They even passed the parent test:  When Mom and Dad came to visit they
    forgave my having six pets since my apartment seemed so fresh and
    clean.  They have since bought ionizers for every room in their house.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Pat

    Pat, what brand of ionizer fo you use, and what model?
    
    thanks
    

    Amcor... I don't know the model number....
    
    

Various feline owners have written me with varying
empathetic responses and also those suggesting I part
company with my children (a thought I've considered
but never seriously).

This time I want to know something and its very
important:

How many of you experience swollen glands say every
2-3 months plus the post nasal drip?

Please write offline if you haven't already and my
thanks to the noteful noters who have done so already.
Misery loves company and I now realize perhaps I am
not dying afterall.

A cat lover who wants to live!

    I am an allergic asthmatic with three cats.  I am basically
    allergic to everything :-). This time last year I had seven cats.
    Due to divorce (custody :-), death (Charmy) and a sweet oriental 
    shorthair who informed me she'd rather live alone (Dream), I'm down to 
    three. I said I'd never let my allergies rule my life.  But for those of
    you taking albuterol for asthma (Ventolin,Proventil,etc.) you might
    want to re-check your dosages with your physician.  A recent study
    indicates that inhaling more than 200mg of albuterol a month (two
    cannisters) puts you at a much increased risk for sudden death due
    to heart failure.  My physician reduced my Ventolin dosage and substituted
    Intal (Sodium Cromylin) for the Ventolin. What made me nervous was that
    she had looked at and approved my original medications a month earlier.
    She told me due to the new information, reductions for most patients
    was necessary.  At this point I can never go back to seven cats.  After 
    I settle Misha, I will probably never go above two.  It's a tough 
    balance.  I love them dearly, but gosh I do feel better, and I have more
    energy.  I know how it feels to feel lousy most of the time.  I am 
    definitely going to look into the air cleaners.
    
    There's not an easy solution, but you have to do what's right for you.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Mary-Michael
        

    Mary-Michael,
    
    Thanks for the info on the albuterol.  I have two inhalers.  I'm 
    supposed to use one 4 times a day (2 blasts) as a preventive but since
    it gets my heart going so much I have a tendency to avoid using it as
    often as that and only taking 1 blast when I do use it.  I've notice
    my heart rate seems to be a bit high alot of the time since I've been
    treated for asthma.  In fact, my allergist sent me to my internist
    once a while back just to check on my heart.  The other inhaler is for
    attacks (this is the Proventil).  The worst part of this is that 
    whenever I feel like I need this inhaler, I'm usually right in the 
    middle of the aerobic part of jazzercise and I have to be careful 
    about taking it while I've already got my heart rate up.  Geez, with 
    all this high heart rate stuff going on you'd think I would be losing 
    weight or something, you know, keeping the heart rate up, possibly 
    burning a little fat in the process. ;-)
    
    Jan

re:  Note 131.52 by EPS::BAUER 

>>>>How many of you experience swollen glands say every
>>>>2-3 months plus the post nasal drip?

the swollen glands are an indicator of infection...which can be caused by
the post-nasal drip creating a perfect place for bacterial to grow.  The
solution is to get the PND taken care of -- and then see if you still get
the swollend glands.  Swollen glands can also be a sign that you have impacted
wisdom teeth, very bad tonsils that must be removed, a cronic sinus infection,
and many other conditions.  You and your doctor must stop treating your
symptoms -- and start the hunt for the underlying cause for them.  My first
suggestion, SEE AN ALLERGIST, still stands, however, as the symptoms are
consistent with a cronic sinus infection.

    No swollen glands, but definitely PND....to the point where
    my ears are always being bothered by it.  I use Ventolin
    for my asthma, but not daily, and don't take it until my
    heart rate has settled down. (exertion in the cold causes
    my asthma attacks...)  I use an antihistamine daily to stop
    the PND and the fluid pressure buildup behind my ears.
    Dust & cig smoke are my worst allergies, and my pets are only
    minor contributors.....
    
    Lynne

Blood work back and everything is NORMAL.  Not sure
if I can blame the cats anymore, it may just be a
virus.

I am writing to say that Bekanase (sp?) seems to help
me, but its very costly.  I need something that
will stop Post Nasal Drip cold - dead in its tracks.
Bromfed doesnt do it and neither does Seldane.

What are people "dying" out there using to cut off
the flow down one's throat - who've experienced frequent
swollen glands on an ongoing basis?

Still in love with my cats,

Bill

>Blood work back and everything is NORMAL.  Not sure
>if I can blame the cats anymore, it may just be a
>virus.

Not so fast, my friend...it might still be allergies.......
when you hit this wall....it is time to go get the skin scratch tests -
as they test for many more things this way.  You need to help your allergist
determine what group(s) of allergens might be at fault by thinking about
when the problems get worse/better, how long has this been going on, do
you find it worsening noticably when you eat something, drink something,
smoke something (or get around smokers), does it get BETTER at any time...like
when you get nitrous oxide at the dentist's office? (I do have several
hours of relief after NO - it is the filtered oxygen with the NO that
helps).  Once you have thoroughly analyzed when it gets better/worse, when
it first started (and what, if anything, was happening at the time - a trip,
new furniture, carpet cleaning, paint/wallpaper/tile added to your environment),
your allergist can set up the suspect scratch test.  Now, the bad news is
that it is hard to find...the good news is that if you tested normal for
most things so far, you probably have a reasonably narrow panel of allergens...
and that means treatment can be focused on avoidance and de-sensitizing...
both relatively easy with a narrow panel.

>I am writing to say that Bekanase (sp?) seems to help
>me, but its very costly.  I need something that
>will stop Post Nasal Drip cold - dead in its tracks.
>Bromfed doesnt do it and neither does Seldane.

Have you tried seldane-D?  it is seldane plus a decongestant...also, hismanel
may help, but it isn't cheap either.  Over the counter meds aren't the answer
as this is cronic and they can have nasty side-effects when taken
for long periods of time.  I agree that the Beconase AQ nose spray is VERY
effective - I just started using it as I am going in for an expanded range
of skin scratch tests next week and I must not take seldane for at least 5 
days...it supresses the skin's response to allergens and can skew the results.



>>>Still in love with my cats,

smart guy!  A feline in the heart is worth it all.

    Re: Bekanase (sp?) seems to help but its very costly
    
    What about the PCS plan, at $4 a prescription....
    

    My PCS plan costs me $6 a prescription now.
    
    Jo

	On our plan, the cost is now up to $10, but the retail price of
	Beconase is close to $30, so it's still a pretty good deal.
	
	Sandy

Some of us are trying to hold on to our contract jobs
and cannot afford health insurance.

All My Best,

Bill

    Re: .62
    
    Amen, brother!
    
    K.C.

    Hi,
    
    I hope someone out there and help alittle more. 
    
    My daughter wants one of my kittens, for her and her boys.  The problem
    is she has allergies, and tho she has been around animals all her life
    she hasn't been as bad as she is when she comes over my house.  I have
    4 cats, 5 kittens at the moment.  
    
    I have printed out some of the information in this note and talked to 
    her about what I know about it.  She really wants to try this.
    
    Her husband said he would wash the kitten and brush it so she won't
    have that problem.  I don't know how long that will last. :-)
    
    Anyway, is there Anything else that she can try to help her have the 
    kitten she wants.  I want her to have one but not if she is going to
    make herself sick.  
    
    I will print out any and all information to give to her.
    
    Thank you
    HC

    Is she taking, or might she take, one of the new medications
    mentioned in this note that help?  Since I assume you'd take the cat
    back if a significant problem develops, it sounds to me like a trial
    run is perhaps in order?
    

    Right now, I don't think she can/will take anything.  She is nursing and is
    afraid for that reason.  I forgot to mention, they have a dog (Husky) and 
    she has no problem with him at all.  For some reason, they are the only
    dogs she can touch and be around all the time without anything
    happening.  
    
    As I said when she comes to my house, by the time she leaves, she feels
    awful, and I feel bad.  
    
    I've told her about the ironizers and tho I have brought her one awhile
    ago, its not working.  I have one in almost every room of my house.  
    
    Thanks
    HC  

    I have an air cleaning machine (not one that ionizes, one
    that sucks in air thru a charcoal/floss filter, and back
    out into the air) that is a big help.  I also open the
    windows to change the air frequently (yep, even in the
    winter!) I'm allergic to all my pets, (6 cats, 2 horses & a rabbit) 
    and 4 of the cats are indoor cats only! 
    I take over the counter antihistamines daily, and this solves
    my problem.  With your daughter nursing, she is limited to what,
    if any, medication she could take.  We also use a humidifier to
    keep the air moist, which helps, too.
    
    L-  

the key to minimizing the problem is MAINTENANCE.  Bathe the cat regularly
(making sure to keep it warm when it is wet)...like once a week.  Keep the
cat indoors - thereby controlling the food it eats and the temperature
changes that can affect coat and skin.  Groom the cat daily - a flea comb
removes hair and skin flakes much better than a brush.  Vacuum the house
regularly - maybe twice or three times a week...and if you can possibly
afford it, buy a vacuum cleaner with a filter - a dry-filtered vac runs approx.
$500.00.  This will be benficial to the baby, whether allergic or not - the
house will be a WHOLE LOT cleaner with one of these vacuums.  Alpine Air
offers a model, I believe.

Some meds that do work for when your daughter is through nursing:

	beconase AQ nose spray - no pain to this one; 2 blasts in each nostril
			      twice a day.  It really works after approx.
			      3 days of application.

	seldane and seldane-D - no drowsiness; this drug is so effective
			     it also supresses skin reactions to allergens.
			     one pill twice a day.

    In the back of my mind, I've had the idea that I might get one of those
    Alpine air machines, to help Sweetie with his allergies.
    
    What's the scoop on that business about their
    causing lung problems that someone mentioned awhile back -- is it real?
    Presumably only under certain conditions?
    

    
>    What's the scoop on that business about their
>    causing lung problems that someone mentioned awhile back -- is it real?
>    Presumably only under certain conditions?
    
any ionizer can cause breathing problems - the ions burn the lung tissue when
they get too concentrated.  This problem was addressed in a 20/20
 show a few months ago.  Alpine is one brand they mentioned, but the real
issue is ionization.  The show also covered what ionization does for you
and what it doesn't do.  If you are looking for a way to kill mold spores
and dust mites in the air, ionization is a real bonus for you.  If you have
less need for this, but do need air filtration (which alpine air machines
also do well), then you probably don't want an ionizing air cleaner unless
it allows you the option of turning off the ionization feature.  There are
many air filters on the market which will filter the air through several
filters, but which don't ionize the air as well.  If your home is relatively
air-tight when closed up, and you live in a relatively dry climate,
you want to be cautious about ionization.  One consolation - if you have
the problem, you will know it very quickly - and you can simply stop
ionizing the air and you will recover....of course, if you don't know what
is happening, and your doctor doesn't know what is happening, you can have
a real problem on your hands by the time the problem is detected and solved.

I have an air filter system sold by Amway (I usually don't buy their products
as I am hesitent about the pyramid scheme style of selling, but this air 
filter is a nice piece of work - this disclaimer is MY OPINION ONLY)..it 
filters the air through a charcoal and a hepa filtering system - three 
filters in all.  It does not ionize - and I run it continuously in one of 
the four programmable speeds it allows me to set up ahead of time for 
different times of day.  It is a real boon to me as I am so allergic to the 
environment out there.  I keep it in my bedroom.  Under the window  - next
to the grassy front yard.  

Someone was going to contact 20/20 and ask about the program - perhaps they
can send you a transcript or additional information if asked...I haven't
heard anything about it lately, but someone in this conference was planning
on contacting them, I believe.

    I was the one that was going to contact them. The problem is I've been
    so busy I've never gotten around to it. When the 20/20 program was
    discussed, I turned off my Alpine Air system for a few days until I
    couldn't stand living without it anymore. My allergies were flairing
    up terribly. Since I tend to ionize on the low settings, and my only
    breathing problems are when I *don't* use it, I've decided for myself
    that it is OK.
    
    All this talk about congestion and scratch tests not showing anything
    bring up compells me to share this story with you folks. I seem to have
    a chronic rhinitis which continued to flair up even though I got rid of
    all the things that could have caused it (feather pillows, sown
    comforter, furniture with kapok filling, ripping up the carpets and
    replaing them with hard wood floring). However, my nose kept getting
    stuffy and runny with out regard to season (I am allergic to trees, but
    they shouldn't bother me in the mid of a New Englans winter.) Well,
    after a zillion scratch tests that didn't prove anything, I happened to
    mention to my allergist that I noticed the problem was worst after
    eating certian foods. He knew I am Greek, and that my father had a very
    severe case of Crohn's disease. I wound up going on an elimination diet
    and I turns out that I have a number of food intolerences; my body lacks
    the enzmes to break down a number of foods, and in my case one of the
    ways my body reacts is to make me feel congested. (This is why I react
    well to allergy drugs that decongest.) Intolerences can also cause
    abdominal discomfort, eczema, headaches, diarrhea, and what looks to be
    acne in adults. Lots of very common foods can cause these things;
    cows milk products (lactose), wheat flour, corn, caffine, tartrazine
    (the orange dye in some softdrinks and candy), tomatoes, and beans
    (personally, I think that fava beans should have a skull and crossbones
    on the bag).  Anyhow, since I have really begun to watch to avoid the
    foods that give me problems, I've felt a lot better, and havn't had to 
    stay on allergy med year round.
    
    Deb
    
    Deb

re: food allergies

oh yes, how true!  In fact, I am sensitive to anything made from soy beans...
and the primary symptom is a stuffed-up head.  Well, I can use minute
amounts of soy sauce, but not the oil or any tofu product, etc.  Do you know
how hard it is to avoid MSG????  

    Well, my daugther took HER kitten yesterday.  She was so happy and had
    so much she was going to do.  Gawd, I hope it works for her.  I gave
    her all the info that I got from this note file,(thanks to you all) so
    now we wait and see. 
    
    I took them to my vet yesterday and they all received their first
    shots, but thats another story.... :-(  
    
    I bought a bottle of lotion at the vets that you put on the cats fur
    after bathing its suppose to help if you have allergies regarding your 
    pet.  I think its call Allerpet??  Does anyone know if that really
    works?  
    
    I also have a sick Momcat and I'm very very upset about it.  I had to 
    keep her away from her kittens, she can't understand it and either can
    they.  I'm really bummed out about it.  
    
    Anyway, again my thanks to you all, now I hope it works.
    
    Thanks
    Helena
    

    Well, it didn't work!  I have the kitten back.  She was very very upset
    that she couldn't keep him.  Soooo, now i'm back to five.  
    
    Well, can't say we didn't try.... :-(  
    
    BTW:  Does anyone have the Friends of Animals phone number?  I can't
    find it at home, I did have it.  
    
    Thanks
    Helena

    Speaking of allergies to pets...
    
    Today was my first day of receiving two allergy shots per week instead
    of one.  The cat allergens were put into a shot of their own and the 
    dust, dustmite, mold, feather mix and marshelder were all in the other
    shot.  Guess which one I reacted to...well, it wasn't the cats.  That
    shot was easy and did not swell up or itch.  The other one hurt as I
    got it, burned afterwards and itched within a few minutes.  I've been
    trying to tell them I have more of a problem with the other stuff than
    the cats but would anyone believe me...nooooooo.
    
    Jan

Jan, you're lucky!  They put my cat allergens in with the molds and dust, so
I can't prove anything! :-)  Of course, that's the one that swells up like
crazy...

Jill

okay, now you have no excuse for not getting a filtered vacuum cleaner.
The HEPA filtered jobs cost anywhere from $500.00 and up...BUT, Eureka is
making an upright with a very powerful motor (6.5) and IT IS FILTERED.  the
percentages offered aren't quite as good as the HEPA filtered machines, but
within 2 % points, and, as the normal vacuum is not filtered at all...it will
make a world of difference.  So, go find yourself a model that is black in
color, and has the words "The boss" on the front of it.  I've seen it offered
for under $100.00 on sale.  It isn't always advertised as filtered, but it
IS filtered.  There is another word on the cleaner bag, but you should be
able to find it at any department store from this description...and the 
documentation that comes with the cleaner should mention the filtering.

Believe me, if you have allergies to cats/dogs/dust/pollens in the air, a
few vacuums and dustings around your house will clear the air significantly...
ONCE YOU STOP BLOWING THE ALLERGENS RIGHT BACK INTO THE AIR WHILE VACUUMING.

Now, lets remember to bathe our kits once a month or so and keep vacuuming...

		Now, isn't that much better?

    The Boss "Bravo"   6.5 motor, triple filtered.  On sale for $99.84 at
    Service Merchandise in Calif. through May 31.  They also offer an 
    extended warranty on it for approx. $5.00 more.
    
    Jan

    What is a "filtered" vacuum cleaner?  My Kenmore cannister has two
    filters, one behind the bag that I can remove and wash (which I do with
    each vacuuming) and one over the exhaust section that looks like an air
    conditioner filter.  That one I can't remove, but I lay a dampened face
    cloth loosely over it to catch anything coming out.  I understand about
    the water-filtered ones, but is this Eureka a water-type?  I like that
    6.5 HP, and could use a new cleaner anyway.
    Sarah

    The Eureka is not a water filtered vacuum.  At least my instructions
    didn't say to add water ;-).  I think the triple filter has something
    to do with the way the bag is constructed.
    
    Jan

    I bought an Boss Bravo 8 amp over the weekend, and then returned it
    because it was so loud that I feared I'd get permanent hearing loss
    from it.  (No kidding -- my ears were numb and ringing when I'd
    finished.)
    
    It was a wonder at removing dust without spreading it around
    however, and Sweetie didn't have a coughing fit after I'd finished
    vacuuming, which he almost always does.  I traded the 8.0 amp in for a
    6.5 amp, which I haven't had a chance to try yet.  The vacuum shop guy
    said they're about as noisy, so I have my fingers crossed.
    
    If you do buy one of these, it pays to shop around.  The 6.5 is
    available for $99 at Palo Alto (Ca.) Vacuum, while Macy's has it "on
    sale" for $130.
    

    By the way, the shop fellow says the paper extra filtered bags are slowly
    coming on the market for most vacuums.  The Bravo et al have extra
    filtering in the permanent bags that surround the paper bags, but
    upgrading the paper bags would presumably help old vacuums remove dust.
    

    Karen,
    
    I have the 6.5 amp.  Forgot to mention that in my mail to you.  It is
    still loud but I don't find that my ears ring from it.  Since I'm in 
    an apartment, however, I find that I am reluctant to vacuum as late
    at night as I used to.  Don't want to have the neighbors complain
    about the noise. (Any excuse to avoid cleaning.)  My little canister 
    vacuum was a pussycat compared to this turbo-charged puppy.  
    
    For me, the noise is bearable with this model.  Especially since I can 
    still breath when I'm finished vacuuming and I'm not wheezing my head 
    off.  You should see the speed with which I vacuum now...2 reasons...1)
    I want to get the thing turned off as soon as possible so it will be
    quiet again, 2) my Bravo vacuum glides so smoothly over the floor with
    such power compared to my canister vacuum which seemed to resist moving
    across the rug at all. ;-)
    
    Sorry, I forgot to mention the noise before.  It just didn't occur to
    me since I was so happy with everything else about the machine.
    
    Jan
                                                          

    That is true about the speed;  I finished about twice as fast as usual
    since I wanted it to be quiet :-)
    
    Also, the directions claim it damages bare floors, but I used it without
    any problem on my wood floors with the adjustment set to lift the
    roller gizmo as high as possible.  To get corners and edges, I used the
    floor attachment from my old Eureka canister on the Bravo hose okay;
    unfortunately the Bravo hose is onbly about half the length of the
    canister hose, but it's workable.
    
                           
    

    I purchased a 6.5 amp Eureka upright "Boss" vacuum several months ago
    but had no idea it was a filtered model!  Now I'm going to have to go
    home and check out the filter...
    
    I paid $119 at Lechemre, and it wasn't on sale.  I don't find it to be
    very loud at all, but then, I seem to be immune to the noises from
    vacuums since I vacuum about 4X/week!
    
    -Roberta
    

    Roberta, there are both filtered and regular paper bags available for
    the Bravos.  I think the packages marked in red are the filtered ones.
    

    I saw this "Sylvia" cartoon in today's paper and got a chuckle out of
    it.
    
    First box - labeled - THE PROBLEM. (picture of woman typing with
    2 pictures on her desk - a picture of man sneezing, and picture of cat) 
    "My fiance is allergic to cats. What should I do?"  Second box - labeled - 
    A CAT THERAPIST RESPONDS.
    (picture of a cat sitting at a desk holding a paper.) "What do you
    mean, your fiance is allergic to cats?  That's like saying your fiance
    is married or has a closet full of women's shoes.  Where were your cats
    when he came over for dinner... in Toledo?  The whole thing sounds
    fishy to me.  Give back the ring."
    
    Steffi
          

if he won't take sedane or whatever his doctor can prescribe, he doesn't
come to my house.....after all, I'm NOT getting rid of the cats, so the
man would have to go anyway.

			8^}

    Steffi I gotta have a copy of that cartoon for my Sylvia collection!
    Can you run it through the copy machine?
    
    Jo

    After reading the most recent adoption notice I suddenly remember
    this little tidbit of information I read in a recent Cat Fancy 
    magazine.
    
    They say if you rinse your cat in distilled water periodically
    that you will reduced the allergen count significantly.  I don't
    remember the specifics but I will try to find the issue of CF 
    I found it in and post the details tomorrow.
    
    Jan

    While sitting in the Dr.'s office waiting for my allergy shots I read a
    Time magazine article about allergies (I think it was one of the Aug
    '92 issues).  It mentioned an allergist who is doing research on cat
    allergies.  He said that evidence points to the good news that bathing
    your cat regularly for 3-9 months causes cats' bodies to stop the spore 
    that creates the allergic reaction in people.  I don't remember his
    name and, as I recall this is still in the research phase.  However,
    the article did say he was one of the leading cat allergists in the
    country.
    
    Did anybody else read this or have you seen anything similar?  
    
    Nanci 

>>    Did anybody else read this or have you seen anything similar?  
    
research has been going on for several years.  This is a known effect.
However, people must also get the allergens out of the environment - and
the standard vacuum cleaner just blows the allergens around the house
when you vacuum.  To clear the house, you need to get a filtered
vacuum (Eureka has them for a little over $100.00 - no big investment
like they used to be at $500.00 or more) and you need to clean the
walls and furniture TOO - at least once before beginning to see the
results.  That is why this treatment (bathing the cat weekly) seems
to fail so often - the allergens are still there so the cat treatment
doesn't "help".

    My allergist also recommends something called "Allergy Control
    Solution" to help control the allergens.  It contains 3% tannic
    acid.  The blurb from Allergy Control Products brochure says it 
    inactivates allergy-causing substances in dust in carpets and 
    upholstered furniture--including dust mite particles and animal 
    dander.  I haven't actually purchased any of it yet but I'm 
    planning to as soon as finances will allow.
    
    Jan

    re:  131.90
    
    I've found the article.  It is in the August 1992 Cat Fancy.
    The article starts on page 21.  The title is "Dander Away!"
    
    Here is the blurb about distilled water:
    
    "Will your cat tolerate baths?  In a study conducted at Washington
    University in St. Louis, researchers rinsed cats monthly with
    distilled water.  After seven months, the rinsing had decreased dander
    production in all the cats.  A confirming study in which a cat was
    washed weekly with distilled water showed a 90 percent decrease in the
    amount of airborne dander coming from the cat.  The weekly washings
    reduced small, inhalable particles to a level that researchers expected
    would take eight hours to cause symptoms in an allergic person."
    
    Jan

    
    	Also keeping the litter box very clean and use cedar woodchip will 
        help. My SO has asthma and we found that the cedar woodchips make
    	a big difference. We just spinkle on top of the litter the
    	woodchips. Kitty doesn't mind.
    
    
    	Mike

    
    One question....
    
    Is there a Non-allergenic breed of cat?
    
    Lemme know!
    
    Tim
    

The Sphynx is a hairless cat (and pretty ugly IMHO), as such is not prone
to induce allergic reaction.  Same for Cornish Rex......not quite as ugly...
short fur...

    
    I'm allergic to just about everything on the face of the earth, not
    the least of which is a severe respiratory reaction to cat "dander".
    Cat hair or animal hair doesn't appear to be the problem.  I have
    guinea pigs as pets right now.  I keep their home (a 55 gallon tank)
    extremely clean and give the critters a bath about once a month (they
    hate the bath, but love the blowdryer 8)) ). 
    
    >>The Sphynx is a hairless cat
    
    Ahhh... no thanks.  The last three words conjure up a vivid and nasty
    mental picture.  I would be interested in finding out more about the
    Rex though...  Thanks!
    
    Tim
    

    Hi Tim,
    
    I breed Cornish Rexes.  The only reason that they would be good for
    allergies is if you're allergic to the hair, since their hair is very
    short and they only have an undercoat, not a top coat.
    
    They look very skinny and have curly hair all over.  Many people when
    they first see them think that their coats would be wiry, but they are
    actually VERY VERY soft.  As soft as cotton.
    
    As for allergies, they probably would be good for your allergies since
    they don't seem to have as much dander as other cats.  But however, you
    STILL will be affected by them (I'm allergic to cats and have four at
    the moment.  I had nine at one time!).  But if you give the cat a bath
    about once per month, this will significantly reduce the amount it will
    affect your allergies.
    
    If you'd like, I can mail you a copy of a picture of a cornish rex.
    
    Holly
    

    I think there is a note in this string that talks about rinsing your
    cats with distilled water on a regular basis.  I posted it but don't
    remember where.  According to the research, the distilled water 
    significantly reduces the amount of allergens (even more than just
    bathing in regular water).  Let me know if you need a copy of the 
    article.
    
    Jan

    
    Jan, 
    
    Try DIR 131.*/AUT=CORDES_JA at the "Notes>" prompt...
    
    
     Topic  Author               Date         Repl  Title
            CAPITN::CORDES_JA    19-MAR-1992  131.41  More on allergies
            YOSMTE::CORDES_JA    23-MAR-1992  131.54
            YOSMTE::CORDES_JA    14-APR-1992  131.75  Give the cata a break
            YOSMTE::CORDES_JA     6-MAY-1992  131.78  More on the vacuum
            CAPITN::CORDES_JA     7-MAY-1992  131.80
            JULIET::CORDES_JA     8-JUL-1992  131.83
            JULIET::CORDES_JA    16-SEP-1992  131.90
            JULIET::CORDES_JA    17-SEP-1992  131.93
            JULIET::CORDES_JA    18-SEP-1992  131.94
    >       JULIET::CORDES_JA     7-DEC-1992  131.100

    I got my cats a week before I went in and was tested for allergies.  I
    scored a 2 on cats.  I have been bathing the cats at least once a month
    (down from once a week in the summer when they spent a lot of time
    outdoors.)  I use baby shampoo on them and blow them dry with a blow
    dryer.  I also brush the long haired one every day and the short haired
    ones every few days.  I have been taking allergy shots since May but I'm 
    not taking the cat serum.  I went in for a chek-up with my allergist today
    and he was amazed at how well I've done.  (I haven't had an asthma
    attack since I started the shots, even when I got bronchitis last
    month!)
    
    I'm living (and breathing!) proof that you don't have to give up living
    with cats just because of allergies.
    
    Nanci
         

    GOOD NEWS FOR CAT LOVERS WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO THEM
    
    ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corp. has just successfully completed it's
    human safety testing trials of a vaccine for people allergic to cats.
    The name of the vaccine is Catvax.  Production is expected to start
    shortly.
    
    (For more, see the Business section of the Boston Globe newspaper
    March 12.)
    
    Yippie!!!!!!!

    I don't get the Globe.  Will this be available from Foster & SMith? 8^}
    Actually, it sounds like this would come from an allergist.  
    
    I can see it now, headlines reading wild cat woman arrested for 
    use of hypodermic needles and unknown drug!! But officer... it's 
    really for my 99 cats!
    I had a bad bout this morning with sneezing for two hours, it's 
    about time they can offer more than "did you think about getting rid of
    your cats, lady?"
    Karen

    Re:                  <<< Note 131.103 by NETWKS::GASKELL >>>
    	                  -< Relief for allergic cat lovers >-

    Will you please post some more information about this vaccine, please? 
    Being in Europe doesn't give us easy access to the Boston Globe :-)

    My niece is allergic to her cat and, of course, the more we tell her to
    pat her as little as possible, the more she does it...  Typical for a
    13 year old, don't you think? :-)

    I'm sure my sister would be very interested in getting all the
    information she could on this, namely, will it be released in
    Europe, where in Europe (we are in Portugal), when and through which
    pharmaceutical company.

    I thank you all in advance and ooooppss, I guess I'd better introduce
    myself and the "guilty" feline in the appropriate note 8-)

    Eduarda

    
    
    Any info on the Cat VAX? I called a couple of allergists and they
    hadn't heard of it.
    
    
    Jessica

    Is it a special kitty computer?
    
    Nat
    
    (Excuse, I just could not let it...)

    I went to the local liabrary last night and obtained the article
    regarding CATVAX that I learned about from the previous note.  The
    Boston Globe article is as follows:
    
    ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corp. said it received $6 million in license
    and milestone payments from Marion Merrell Dow Inc., following
    successful completion of its human safety testing trials of a vaccine
    for people allergic to cats. An estimated 5 million people have cat
    allergies, according to the company, and a second humal trial to test
    the efficacy of its catvax vaccine is expected to start shortly.  The
    Waltham company is also launching human safety trials on Ragvax, its a
    vaccing to treat the estimated 25 million people who are allergic to
    ragweed.  With yesterday'spayment, Marion Merrell Dow has invested $13
    million in the company as part of a joint agreement with ImmuLogic to
    manufacture and market five allergy vaccines.
    
    I called the Asthma and Allergy Foundation in Chestnut Hill to inquire
    about this vaccine.  They were of no help.  I will call ImmuLogic
    today.
    
    Amy

    Have more information on CATVAX.
    
    ImmuLogic Pharmaceutical Corp, in Waltham, is planning to market their
    ALLERVAX family of products (includes CATVAX and products for ragweed,
    etc...) in 1995 or 1996.  The products are different than the shots
    administered today by allergists and are based upon proprietary 
    discoveries in research of the immune system responce.  The shots will
    address the cause, rather than just the symptoms, of the alergic
    responce.
    
    Sounds nice, but we have to be patient...
    
    Amy
    

    Some encouraging studies have been performed on the effect of monthly baths
    on cats' production of dander. Still, I would feel more comfortable if
    I new of somebody whose 'hands on' experience would support this.
    Any?
    
    Amy

    Brief blurg spotted in the July issue of Self magazine in the 
    body/mind section:
    
    "Female felines less likely to make you sneeze:  Why?  Because they 
    produce less of the secretions that cause allergies than male cats
    do, according to findings presented at the annual meeting of the 
    American Academy of Allergy and Immunology.  Neutered males also 
    shed fewer allergens."
    
    
    Jan

Now that our dog is in her declining years (17 yrs old!) and keeping us
awake at night with repeated requests to go outside, seizures, and nightlong
pacing back and-forth on the hardwood floors - I may finally be able to
convince my husband that a cat is a much more appropriate pet for our
household right now.  Our adorable 5-yr-old daughter with the big green eyes
saying "Daddy PLEEEEEASE can I have a kitty" is  also having an effect.

Anyway - the last hurdle in our quest to get a kitty is my husband's allergies.
He claims to be allergic to cats.  His allergies do not seem to be serious,
and he even admits that he has met some cat's that didn't seem to bother him
much.  But even a little bit of an allergic reaction can be a big nuisance
if the source lives in your own house.

Are there some breeds of cats which are less likely to cause allergic reactions?
I know with dogs, some breeds tend to be worse than others (our Lab, for
instance, produces more than her fair share of dander).

I would prefer to avoid some of the remedies discussed in this note like
allery shots (my husband turns into a 5-yr-old at the sight of a needle) or
bathing the cat regularly (not my idea of a good time - and probably not
in the cat's top-ten list of fun things to do either).

- Carol

    Any idea what kind of allergies he has?  Can he be more specific? 
    If he pets a cat and rubs his eyes, do his eyes swell?   Does he
    sneeze?  Does he have an asthma attack?  Does he gets hives?  The
    extent of the reaction and the type of reaction will help you determine
    if even trying to keep a cat is worth the effort.  I have contact
    allergies to my cats, so I have turned into a compulsive hand-washer at
    home.  Pet the cat, wash my hands. Pet the cat, wash my hands : )
    Sarah

    
    I would say it's either contact or airborn allergy.  He has no asthma,
    but he does sneeze and get watery eyes if he is close proximity to cats
    for any length of time.  My parents have cats and keep them out of the
    guest room - so his allergies don't bother him too much while we're
    there because he gets to sleep in a cat-free room.
    
    I'm afraid the compulsive hand-washing bit wouldn't help much.  He
    claims to hate cats and wouldn't touch one unless he had do.  If I have
    a prayer of convincing him we need a cat, it is going to have to be up
    to me and the cat to make sure we don't bother him
    

    Please don't take the wrong way but why are you thinking of bringing a
    poor kitten into a house with someone who hates cats?  You wouldn't
    have a child with someone who hates children.  Having a pet is just
    like having a child, you will need to depend on your husband to
    sometimes do things for the cat (feed, clean litter boxes, etc.) when
    you can't.  A litter box needs cleaning just like a baby need diapering
    when it needs to be done, not just when the main care giver has time.
    
    I knew someone who's husband hated cats but allowed her to get one and
    he had a tendancy to shove the cat off any furniture he found the cat
    sleeping on.  The cat ended up scared of men, shy with strangers and
    bruised from the falls while sleeping.  My husband and I finally asked
    to be able to take the cat and give it a good home.  She still wanted
    the cat but did admit that everyone in the house has to want an animal
    or it just doesn't work and we took Annabelle for the rest of her life.

Please don't get a kitty.  I had to talk my first husband into getting a 
puppy.  He claimed he didn't like animals and I was sure the cuteness 
would win him over.  WRONG!  We ended up with a very disturbed dog (and
a divorce, but that's another issue).  The difference now, with my second
husband who is a bigger cat nut than I am, is a houseful of five VERY
happy and secure kitties and three VERY happy and secure humans.

			SQ

    Whoa!  Does he really hate cats? I know a lot of people who say they
    hate cats BECAUSE they are allergic to them.  They don't actuallly hate
    the cat, just what the cat does to them.  If he is merely ambivalent
    about getting one, well, maybe there is hope.  If you are really intent
    on getting a cat, can you line up a good home now, just in case it
    doesn't work out, i.e. he is deathly allergic, or really really hate
    the cat?
    Sarah

    
    
    These are some things that I do in my house for my
    allergies. Washing my hands is the most important
    of all.
    
    	- Close the bedroom door so the cats do
    	  hang out in there.
    
    	- In warm weather, I play with them
    	  outdoors so that all the cat hair
    	  can stay outside.
    
    	- I use a prescription nasal spray since
    	  I am allergic to other things too.
    
    	- Vacuum all furniture, carpet and window
    	  treatment as often as I can manage.
    
    	- The cats have their own pillows/beds for
    	  lounging.
    
    	- The cats get washed when they shed in the
    	  spring and when they get filthy from the
    	  outdoors. It takes 5 minutes per cat and
    	  it is not bad at all if you start the baths
    	  regularly at kittenhood. My 11 year olds
    	  just sit in the sink and don't even bother
    	  to cry or struggle. My 7 month old tries 
    	  to get out of it but has never scratched
    	  or bitten.
    
    	- I also change my shirt if the cats leave so
    	  much hair on it when I told them.
    
    	Now, I am the only one allergic to cats (and other
    animals) at home. I do all that because my cats are like
    my kids and because my family love them dearly. My 
    husband got the older cats before we were married and
    I fell in love with them even though I was allergic.
    Only you know your husband, so, ...
    	
    
    
    Eva
    	

>                     <<< Note 131.117 by HOTLNE::CORMIER >>>
>                    -< Yeah, but does he really mean that? >-
>
>    Whoa!  Does he really hate cats? I know a lot of people who say they
>    hate cats BECAUSE they are allergic to them.  They don't actuallly hate

On the other hand, people often are allergic to the things they hate.

			SQ

Your points about a kitty needing love are well taken - but rest assured if
we do get a kitty it will be well loved.  

My husband would never ever be cruel to another person or animal.  As a matter
of fact I have even witnessed him playing with my parent's cat when he thought
nobody was looking.  This is going to sound kind of shallow - but I think he
just thinks guys are supposed to say they hate cats.

Of course this may all be a mute point because I don't think it would be fair
to my husband to ask him to accomodate a little critter that is invariably 
going to make him uncomfortable.  I asked the assistant at our vet's office
if there were anything like a hypoallergenic cat - and her answer was basically
no.  The closest thing she could think of would be a hairless cat.  But I really
wasn't interested in spending a fortune on an exotic cat - I just wanted a
pet for me and the girls that was a little less work than our dog is.

And I am opposed to the idea of getting a cat with the attitude I can give it
away if it didn't work out (unless I thought there was at least a %95 chance
of success).  It would be to mean to both the cat and my kids.

    
    I keep hearing people suggest that hairless cats might be less likely
    to provoke allergies, but my understanding is that it's not the hair
    but the dander (dried skin) and cat saliva that usually causes the
    problem.  Do hairless cats wash themselves like hairy ones?  And I
    thought I had read someplace that cats derived a significant portion
    of some vitamin they need from lapping it up after it's manufactured
    by their fur (? - hair is dead) from sunlight.
    
    len.
     

    
    	I have a question:  I don't think I'm allergic to cats(animals)
    but if my cats sleep with me, I wake up with a headache and stuffed
    nose.  I experimented a few different times and its only when they
    sleep on my bed.  The only other allergy I have is to perfume,cologne
    and other smelly stuff, I get real bad headaches.  Could I be allergic
    to my cats?   Thanks Sue Fleck

    you could, but since you mention the "fragrence" problems, could it be
    that you are using a cented litter? My cat Zoe will only use CatMax,
    which is very scented. Most cats will "mark" a box when you put in clean
    litter. Zoe practically burrows thru it; she seems to like wearing that
    scent. 
    
    Deb (who also gets a headache from perfumes, cologne and other smelly
    fragrences.)

    Or..scented laundry detergent because you put your head on the pillow.
    
    I do know that in the winter, I tend to have a stuffy nose but I
    believe it is also caused because the windows are kept shut for
    most of the winter.
    
    Sandy 

Sue,

 I have a friend who is allergic to cats.  When she visits, she's miserable all
night long because the cats have had previous access to the bedding.  Even 
though we keep them away from her, they've "contaminated" the pillows etc by 
sleeping on them at other times.  It doesn't sound like you are this bad.

 Also, my son is mildly allergic.  If he forgets to wash his hands after he 
pets them and then touches his face, he will get sneezy and his eyes will 
turn red, watery and itchy.  Your note would indicate that you don't have 
this problem either.

 Do they wear flea collars?  Have they had a bath recently?  Maybe you are 
allergic to some chemical?  I have a kitty who loves to sleep right next to 
my face and sometimes I wake up with your symptoms.  Since she likes to touch
my face with her paw, I suspect that she's stepped in something that I'm 
allergic to.  Unfortunately, I'm not the best housekeeper so dust would do it.

 I'd also agree that the litter could be the culprit.  My kitties seem much 
more active in the litter box at night (lots of extra scratching noises) and 
it gets the most use then.  (They get very hungry after the "midnight crazies"
which of course leads to the box.)

			SQ

    
    	Thanks for all the replies.  I do smell the cat litter scent on
    the cat who sleeps closest, so that could be it.  Also, dust was
    mentioned, and I have forced hot air heat, so, I do believe you might
    find some dust in my house. (Actually, lots of dust!)  I'll just keep
    popping advil for the headaches and let the cats sleep where they
    want!    						Sue

    that's the spirit!!!
    Deb

    Sue, there are things you can do about the dust, like use
    high filtration vacuum bags when you vac, or get a HEPA
    air filtering machine.  They've worked wonders for my Sweetie,
    who has a respiratory problem.  You can get them from National Allergy
    Supply at 1-800-522-1448.  Also, I buy a no-dust litter (Cat Country)
    which is a big help in reducing dust;  I couldn't believe the
    difference changing over to that made vs. the old kind of litter.
    You might have to go to a pet store/feed store to buy the litter.
    

    We have been using Cedarific cedar shavings litter for about 1 year now
    and will never use clay again!  The dust was absolutely horrible with 5
    litter boxes and could permiate the whole house. Cedar is lightweight,
    natural, nice smelling and has no chemical fragrances which irritate.
    The cats use it which is important, the houseplants are cleaner, the
    house is cleaner and no one is breathing clay dust...anyone with an
    allergy would benefit I'm sure.

    one of the problems I had with the cedar litter was that the cats
    absolutely loved the smell. Several of them would burrow and have a
    heck of a good time playing in it. As a result, not only was there
    cedar all over the house, but all over their fur as well (a pain with
    the long haired cats).
    
    Deb

    
    I've been using a product called Cobby Cat for a while now and like
    it very much.  I hated clay and had too many concerns with the safety
    of the scoopable litter.  Cobby cat is made from corn, much like the
    stuff they sell for the bottom of bird cages.  It smell good, is
    semi clumping and no dust.
    
    MaryAnne

    In an earlier reply to this string there is reference to a hairless
    cat.  I happen to love cats but am allergic {wheezing, sneezing, itchy
    eyes, etc.:-(}.  Since my Mom is contemplating adopting a kitten I
    thought someone in this file might have additional information about
    the fuzzless variety of feline!  My Mom doesn't have allergies but is
    trying to find a kitty that will not make me miserable on visits.  I
    have read the notes about kitty saliva and will mention that to her as
    well.
    
    Any additional information you can share would be great!  Thanks.
    
    Regards,
    Lisa
        

    Lisa,
    	My brother just got a kitten for his girlfriend and he's wicked
    allergic, 5 minutes and his eyes are itching and puffy and watery.
    	Well, he bought some drops at the health food store, he takes
    some every day, under his tongue, and he says they really work.
    	The only downfall is that it tastes like rubbing alcohol :$
    I can find out the name of the stuff if your interested.
    				Sue

    RE: .132
    
    are you referring to the Spinx?
    
    Deb

    Hi Deb,
    
    I'm not sure if I'm referring to the Spinx...the earlier reply in this
    string just called the cat hairless.  Do you have any other information
    on the Spinx?  I'll check around during the weekend and post what I
    find out.  
    
    Re: note .133, thanks for the info about the drops.  Since I don't live
    with my Mom it might be a possible solution.   I'd appreciate any
    details you can share.
    
    It's been hard for my Mom since she's been cat-less since "trash"
    passed away about a year ago.  She lives in a resort area and has a
    store on the first floor of her house.  Yesterday there was a woman
    sitting on the front steps of her store with a tiny kitten in a box. 
    It was at that point that she said she realized that she really wanted
    another cat.
    
    Thanks again.
    Lisa