Cat Allergy Medication for Kids

Updated on January 06, 2009
K.L. asks from South San Francisco, CA
15 answers

My son (7 yrs. old) is now allergic to cats and I was wondering what over the counter allergy medication is effective. In addition to nasal congestion and itchy eyes, he also gets a sore throat and has mild wheezing. We don't own a cat but we occasionally go to a family member's home where a there's a cat.

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A.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi K., remember medicine is not going to improove immune sistem. Allergy is sign that body needs help.Why somebody can tollerate cat,dogs, etc? Only because the liver is doing good cleaning.
A. ###-###-####.

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L.M.

answers from San Francisco on

You might want to get him tested for allergies. I waited until I was probably 25 yrs old before I did so, and was completely miserable at other people's homes with pets on a regular basis. I started getting allergy shots and after a couple of years was cured. 10 years later I got two cats, whom I just adore. Allergy shots are made up of the ingrediants you are allergic to, so you slowly build up an immunity. It's much healthier than taking medication your whole life.

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T.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Honestly. I have bad asthma related with sneezing. The more I was exposed, every episode got worse to almost not breathing.

Now. I avoid any homes with cats, I don't buy from classifieds that have cats. My family has a cat, and they are having christmas there this year. I cannot go. I know BETTER. So, we make our own christmas time. This may not be a solution for you, but your soon will either be miserable with sneezing and wheezing, or high on drugs.

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K.T.

answers from Sacramento on

Have you taken your son to see an allergist? My daughter's allergies started with terrible nasal congestion which contributed to her mouth breathing and then sore throats became a regular thing. She did develop some mild asthma as well. We started her on allergy injections when she was 9. she's almost eleven now, and she still goes in for the shots, but she down to one shot every other week. It's a great maintenance level for her and almost all of her symptoms are gone (except the mild wheezing upon exertion, for which she's very comfortable with the inhaler). I am so thankful for the shots, they've give her better sleep, freedom from chronically feeling like she had a cold, and a clear, drainage free nose. Now when she gets a cold (which is rarely) I know it's a cold and not just chronic drainage. That chronic nasal congestion can also lead to nasal infections. One other benefit of the regimen is that I have heard that the 7-10 age range is great for intervening with allergies. I've heard that some kids can overcome them altogether with intervention (not sure about this, but I've heard this). I hope this is somewhat helpful. Best wishes in your quest for getting your child to live symptom-free. (Is it safe to use claritin or singulair on a constant basis for chronic allergies?) b.t.w. cat dander is prevalent in many homes that don't even have cats living in them, unfortunately, it is everywhere!

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P.C.

answers from San Francisco on

The wheezing you hear from your son may be asthma, induced by his allergy to cats. If you can't avoid going where there is a cat, then I suggest you carry Benadryl with you at all times. You can give a single dose to your son before going to the family member's home or anywhere that you're likely to encounter a cat. Benadryl has been around forever and can be used safely with children. However, asthma is a very serious problem and you would do well to minimize his exposure to cats as much as possible. Best wishes.

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N.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I like to use Childrens Claritan. The chewables seem to work better than the liquid. Benadryl knocks my kids out, so I no longer use that one. However, I would check out the wheezing with his ped.

I also like Lisa M idea with the shot. Something I may look into for my daughter.

Good Luck.

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K.L.

answers from San Francisco on

About 30 minutes or so BEFORE you are set to visit the family members home with a cat (are you SURE it is cat allergies ?) give her some over the counter, children's Benadryll . Be sure to use the non-drowsy type, or it will put her to sleep!
Claritin is also an option, but does not work quickly like benadryll - you have to take it for a day or so for it to build up its full potency in the body, and is best used for treating frequent and chronic allergies.

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S.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K., we have cats, and my daughter's friends a very allergic. I keep Loratadine in my house. I found that it works great. I think it works better than then perscriptions. I purchase mine over the counter at Kaiser, but you can get it anywhere. Costco sells a large bottle. Good Luck

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N.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I hate to say it, but instead of putting your child through all the medication, stay away from the cats. Mild wheezing is a huge indication that this can turn ugly. It doesn't sound like an ordinary allergy, but one that can trigger asthma. Don't go to that family member's home, they should understand, have them come to your house. Why put your child through unnecessary discomfort and breathing complications. Also, go see a pediatrician, he might need an inhaler. Good luck

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C.M.

answers from Chico on

Try giving him Zyrtec an hour or so before he will be in contact with a cat. It will make him sleepy after a number of hours, but should help him get through the visit without few or no allergy symptoms.

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K.M.

answers from San Francisco on

"Dimetapp" is my favorite. It doesn't make my kids feel bad, or make them tired, just dries them up if they are having an allergy. When I had a cat and was allergic, I fed her a tablet of brewers yeast once a month for about six months and the allergy went away never to return. That was my own cat though.

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P.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I used to visit my aunt's pace when i was a kid, and she had a cat. It was just always miserable. Horrible. I would just wheeze ad wheeze and end up in hospital with asthma (the bad old days with no drugs). I ended up not going to her place even when the rest of my family visited. I hate cats, and avoid them wherever possible.

Claritin/Loratadine is the only drug that works, take it before I get to the house. Make sure you take a children's dose. Otherwise, protect your child and never let him go near a cat again.He should never have to suffer like that.

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A.S.

answers from San Francisco on

YOu should try the new one by little remidies. It is little allergies. It is suppost to be a non drug blocker of allergies. You put it onthe outside of the nose. I have not tried it but a friend did and she said it worked great

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J.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I would honestly keep him away from cats as much as possible. My husband has asthma and it is really bad when he goes into a home that has cats. He can tell you within a few minutes if a house has a cat, because his chest gets really tight and it is hard for him to breathe. He uses an inhaler and takes allergy meds and nothing helps. When we go to my parent's house, he has to hang out outside (after only being in the house for 15-20 minutes he will be miserable for days). Your son's may get worse with more exposure. If my daughter developed the same issues as my husband, we would discontinue trips to my parents house and have christmas at our house or alone. Good luck, and I'm sorry your son has to deal with this allergy!

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