Allergic to cats
 

Hi, I have two cats in my house. Unfortunately, my girlfriend is allergic to cats. Do you guys know if there are any products that could help reduce the symptoms? She tried taking Claritin, but it didn't do much. Do you guys have any tips on what we could do?

Thanks :)

As far as products, I don't know what to tell you other than Claritan, as that always helps everyone with cat allegies I know.

But, just in general, it seems to help a lot if you vacuum frequently. Lots of cat hair on the furniture and around the house only makes the problem worse. So vacuum a lot, and brush your cat from time to time to pick up a lot of the extra fur before it spreads around the place.

I hope you can figure something out, because having allergies can be quite frustrating. Good luck! :)

Zyrtec is supposed to be good for cat allergies, but that's also a prescription drug.

Febreeze makes an allergen reducer, now...maybe that would help a little.

"Nature's Miracle Dander Remover & Body Deodorizer" a product that you either spray directly on to the cat or spray onto a cloth an wipe down the cat. It reduces dander which is usually the cause of allergies.

My wife is allergic and I've gotten the cats to accept a monthly bathing. They don't like it but they put up with it. It's easier if you start them young...

I have 2 cats and I am allergic (i used to not be...but I won't bore you with all that).
You have to get a good vacuum. Most of these vacuums don't really do the trick, you need a vacuum that will suck your eyeball out if given the chance (ok a slight exageration). Vacuum at least once a week minimum.
Get an Air Filter. I have an Ionic Breeze which is fucking wonderful. It makes things soooo much better, well worth the money in my opinion.
Nasal Crom is your friend. Its an OTC nasal spray and it works wonders. Don't get me wrong, I still have my difficult days, but not half as bad as when I didn't do any of the stuff I said above.
If you want to go perscription, clarinex works real good.
And those allergans reduced pillows and matress pads work good too.
Andhave a safe haven room if possible. I let the cats go everywhere but my bedroom. I hate it, but it makes waking up so much better without blowing gallons of snot out. Plus they can always go sleep with my sister so I don't feel as guilty about locking em out of my room.

Go here:

http://allergies.about.com/cs/cats/

Jim Kata has the right idea about air purifiers. Get an ionizer, not just a fan and a filter. Oh, and make sure the ionizer is the type that ionizes the air that is going through the purifier, not the air around it. Some large scale ionizers on the market will just ionize all the little particles in the room and so they suck to any surface nearby. This makes for really dirty walls.

What everyone else said, but also don't let them near her face. She needs to make sure she washes her hands thoroughly after touching them and before touching anywhere near her face, especially the eyes, nose and mouth. Likewise for you too. Keep your hands clean and it should help a bit.

I'm allergic to cats as well so moving in with my cat owning fiance' was less than pleasent allergy wise. I pretty much do what the others have posted. The bedroom is a cat free zone. No cats ever. Ever, ever, ever. If you can be away from the allergens for the eight hours or so you are asleep its a big help. Keep the cats clean, that means bathe them. Regularly. They will hate it but it will make your girlfriend happier. Any and all cat tasks should be yours, the less contact she has with them the better. Air purifier is a good idea as well. For what its worth, I asked my doctor for help and he told me to lose the cat. Thats not happening so I just deal. Good luck!

Keep your place extremely clean! I had two cats growing up and we kept our place extremely clean, vacuming, dusting, and sweeping often. Doing that allowed guest who were very allergic to cats not realize that we even had cats until they saw them.

Thanks a lot for the replies everybody. I will definitely try all these things. Very appreciated :)