Over-the-counter allergy meds

[martina92685]

Do they work for allergies that you know you have? For example, my roomie needs to get as cat and I am terribly allergic. I'll be moving out in July, so this is short term, but I would like to know if Claritan would help me not die...in my own apartment.

[JillSlap]

Do they work for allergies that you know you have? For example, my roomie needs to get as cat and I am terribly allergic. I'll be moving out in July, so this is short term, but I would like to know if Claritan would help me not die...in my own apartment.

She NEEEEDS to get a cat? I dunno if claritin would help for that; I think it's more for outdoor seasonal type allergies. I'm allergic to cats and the only thing that remotely helps is Benadryl, but not the non-drowsy kind, so it really sucks.

All I can offer is: thank goodness it's short term!

[martina92685]

Well without putting all of her business out there, my roomie had an incident (a very serious one at that) this weekend and the only thing that made her feel better was a cat at an animal shelter.

I told her to get 500 cats if it would make her feel better...so I am willing to deal, but GOD I HATE CATS.

[JillSlap]

Well without putting all of her business out there, my roomie had an incident (a very serious one at that) this weekend and the only thing that made her feel better was a cat at an animal shelter.

I told her to get 500 cats if it would make her feel better...so I am willing to deal, but GOD I HATE CATS.

Aww. You're a good friend. Maybe if you just take Benadryl at night before bed you'll be able to sleep at least, and keep your bedroom door closed during the day so the little guy can't sleep on your bed. There's really nothing else that works for me with kitties.

[Mindi912]

how close does the cat have to before you start going nuts?

naturally don't touch it and then touch your face (fairly obvious one)

as the previous poster stated don't let it sit on your things or let it go in your room

sorry I love cats and don't have any allergies so I haven't a clue on medication

you are good friend :)

[cactusflower]

I'm allergic to cats too and have bad allergies (seasonal and non seasonal) I take reactine everyday sometimes 2 depedning how bad it it.

As for the cat...if you do pet it, hold etc wash your hands immediately after. Try to keep your area as clean as possible from cat hair...

I get hives and the reactine works the best for me with that..Claritin does squat for me.

You are an awesome friend - she islucky!

[martina92685]

how close does the cat have to before you start going nuts?

I'm not sure, but I have about 5 minutes with a cat until my throat starts to close up.

She said she was going to keep the cat in her bedroom, but that is inhumane (I love in Brooklyn, so you can imagine how large her bedroom is, let alone my entire apartment), so I think I will be spending a lot of time in my bedroom.


If my door is shut the cat can't get me, right?

[HeatherAC]

The only allergy meds that work for me contain pseudoephedrine. They need to be purchased from the pharmacist, but you do not need a prescription - Claritin is one of them.

I have terrible allergies to dust and most pets - generally, if I take Aleve, Sudafed or Claritin allergy formulas, I'm fine and can cope.

[amberlyann2005]

Oh gosh girl. I would have to move out. Im not sure anything over the counter would be strong enough. I had to live with a girl with a cat for a couple weeks and I thought id die.

[bull.dogz]

Have her look into a shampoo for the cat that helps with people who are allergic. (maybe ask a vet)

[dunkonu9]

I am highly alergic to cats and dogs.

I take allegra or clariton, flonaze and an enhaler type medicine I forget the name mixing all three helped a ton when I go visit my family serious country people all have several pets.

Or since you live together and it is bothering you get a shot from the Dr.

[martina92685]

I am highly alergic to cats and dogs.

I take allegra or clariton, flonaze and an enhaler type medicine I forget the name mixing all three helped a ton when I go visit my family serious country people all have several pets.

Or since you live together and it is bothering you get a shot from the Dr.

Reading this thread is frustrating me more and more.

I hate that living with a cat is going to make me a prisoner in my own home.

I will be counting the days...

[dunkonu9]

Well I mean I am sure it is time for you to change the anti-freeze in your car right? It is not your fault if you just happened to leave it setting out when you get done......

[limniade]

Now, now.

There are some kitty bath wipes you can get at Petsmart. Wipe the cat down with one of these once a day and that should go pretty far in reducing allergens.

[ctgblue]

As long as it is an "indoor only" cat and you bath it first, you will adjust

I take Alavert as I am allergic to cats and have hay fever (we have 4 cats)
the cats are all indoor cats so it only took me a couple of weeks to adjust (indoor cats don't bring in allergens from outdoors)
But the Alavert helps me a lot, better than allegra did

[swole2008]

hairless cat 4tw?

[dunkonu9]

hairless cat 4tw?

Yeah shave your p...... uh too easy.

[martina92685]

Well, he is here. His name is Radar and I must say that he is cute. He isn't as prissy as I typically think of cats to be, and he is rather friendly.

The poor thing really is trying to get to know me, but I am not havin it. I might touch him later, but for now, nope!

My door has been shut and so far, no sneezing!

[JabCross]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy#Hypoallergenic_cats


check that out

[martina92685]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy#Hypoallergenic_cats


check that out

Thanks - but she didn't go looking for a specific breed. She went and got a random shelter cat that she thought was cute.

There was no accommodating me in this decision.

[tse]

I'm really allergic and I take Piriton which helps A LOT. The main thing is do not let the cat in your room EVER and avoid letting it touch your things, because once the hairs are stuck to you and your stuff you'll be allergic to everything!

Sounds like you're doing a good job keeping it out of your room but it's tricky because allergens etc seem to float around in the air half of the time.

[freebirdmac]

Two things that will greatly help, first get a couple of HEPA room air cleaners. They run about $120 and you can get the kind that doesn't need filter changes every 3 months, just vacuum the filter really good. Second, you need a very good vacuum cleaner. I'm talking a Dyson quality. They are expensive but they have come out with smaller vacs that are a little easier on the wallet. My sister is hugely allergic to cats, I have 4, and could not be in my house more than 5 minutes without reacting. With the air cleaners and the vacuum, she can be over for hours without reacting.

If you can get your rental management to allow you to change the air filters even better. They typically use the very cheap, do nothing kind. A good allergen filter that lasts 6 months runs about $10 around here.

Good luck!