What helps severe pet allergies?

Posted by Contentandcoffee@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

My husband (30M) is allergic to cats, dogs, pollen, dust and possibly other things too, but it’s the cat allergy that’s the most severe - from the dander and saliva. He’s on the strongest dose of fexofenadine (allergy medication) and an EpiPen (which hopefully he’ll never need), and asthma pumps. In the summer when we visit people with pets it’s not too bad when all the windows are open. But in the winter his reaction to cats can get triggered so bad it can be so uncomfortable for him despite all the things we have in place. Does anyone have any suggestions of how to manage this better? Are those air purifiers any good? Are there better medications available? Appreciate any advice.

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17 Comments

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PersonalityExact7891@reddit

I found a alone rinse of the sinuses she allergy/her fever relief eye drop also help. Unfortunately though I'd say your best bet is not visiting friends who hav animals he's allergic to or, if you must, clothes directly in the wash and both of you directly in the shower when you get home.

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Comfortable-mouse05@reddit

The best thing is to meet people in a pet free zone. It's only fair on him

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PhantomFairy@reddit

I had to admit defeat and only meet friends and family in pet free spaces, which are getting harder and harder to find now. A couple of my family relationships have suffered badly for it. If I absolutely have to go into a house with cats or dogs (recently for a Wake) I take 20mg of Prednisolone 15 hours beforehand to dampen my immune system and minimise the allergic reaction. That is a stupid thing to do on my part, messing about with steroids is a fools errand, and if course it just increases people saying "well just do the same to come over and see me and my dogs then".

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subzero-fun@reddit

Air purifiers work remarkably well. We have a cat and dog and I sometimes suffer a bit with cat hair giving me a persistent sickly cough. I bought a small Levoit air purifier for the bedroom and was amazed at how much better I slept at night. I ended up buying a larger whole house air purifier, (same brand). On a normal setting they run silently and barely use any energy. Not sure about other brands but the Levoit purifiers have reusable filters which you just take out and vacuum clean every week or so. I'd buy one if the single room air purifiers and see if it makes a difference. As far as visiting other people's homes, there's not much you can do about it.

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ComprehensiveAd8815@reddit

Same here, I can’t tolerate being in pet people’s houses. Some people have taken offence in the past thinking im saying that they are unclean. No, I just don’t want be hospitalised or possibly die Pam.

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Contentandcoffee@reddit (OP)

Yeah this is what I really struggle with and people don’t seem to understand despite explaining numerous times, it’s so frustrating

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ProfessorYaffle1@reddit

Has he spoken to his doctor? They may be able to prescribe something else to take ahead of any likely exposure It's possible they could look at desensitisation (allergen specific immunotherapy ) - it's not quick, it basically involves going to a local centre (usually a hospital) regualrly over a period of several months and being exposed to gradually increasing amounts of the allergen to try to reduce the severity of the reaction. I looked into it after ending up in hospital with anaphylaxis - i decided not to pursue it becasue my allergen is realtively easy to avoid and my nearest centre was not very close by, so I'd have had to to a full day off work every time, but given that his allegen is much more common it might be worth his at least meaking enquiries with his doctor. For allergens in your own home air purifiers can be helpful, but I am not sure that they would help much if visiting the home of someone with a cat

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zoltan_g@reddit

I'd send him to the doctor and ask for a referral to an allergy clinic if you haven't done this already. I have a bad grass pollen allergy which thankfully for me, only hits me for about 3 to 4 weeks a year. I use a prescription anti histamine but I wouldn't want to use it all the time as it honestly makes me feel terrible. I'd avoid anywhere with pets if I was him. Otherwise, I know it's a pain but wear a mask if he must be exposed?

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ThePr0crastinat0r1@reddit

Air purifiers help a little bit, but not much unfortunately. I’m allergic to dogs and the only thing that helps is stepping outside/opening a door for some fresh air and taking my inhaler. It sucks.

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Dont-settle-for-him@reddit

Get him some intestinal worms.

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HiHiHipeoples@reddit

I take promethazine (over the counter) but it unfortunately is a drowsy one. It helps with the breathing and swellings. Camomile for any rashes is the best I’ve found

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thermalcat@reddit

Has he seen an allergy specialist? Mine has me on more than what the GP can prescribe of fexofenadine and montelukast to handle my asthma and itching. I'd also strongly suggest stop going places that are likely to cause a reaction. Having people visit you or go to a pub/restaurant to see people.

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Ok-Friend-5304@reddit

I’m on Montelukast (Singulair) in addition to regular asthma inhalers and high strength fexofenadine, which weren’t working alone. Monte is a second-line treatment for allergic rhinitis but also makes a massive difference to my asthma. Not even sure what it is. They’re tablets but not antihistamines and not steroids. But it’s a godsend for me.

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Contentandcoffee@reddit (OP)

Thank you, will definitely get husband to ask the GP about this

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bucketofardvarks@reddit

I'd say unfortunately if his allergies are that severe you should consider only meeting in your home/neutral locations. The only thing that really gets rid of pet hair completely is not having a pet and a deep clean or two

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Odd_Bug_7029@reddit

Unfortunately, this is likely to be the only way. I know it's not great having to stop going to friends' houses in the winter, but it seems the only way.

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