Party with Severe Cat Allergy?

I think under those circumstances, I would send a present but wouldn't attend the party due to my allergy.

Hi,
Unfortunately, you probably just shouldn't go. My sister has a cat & her husband's sister just never goes to their house due to having cat allergies. It kind of stinks but your family will understand. Is there, by chance, anyone in your famly who can help take care of your kids so that they don't miss the party? If not, I wouldn't bother trying to go to the party because no amount of cleaning or air purifying is going to make it so you won't feel bad. Good luck!

I have asthma and have cat allergies. Does your hostess know that you have cat allergies? I used to hide my allergies but I do share them with people if I am going to be at their home for extended periods of time. Sometimes they may be able to keep the cats contained; They may also have an air purifier that they can run 24 hours in advance to help the situation. My sister has two long-haired cats and turns on her air purifier, two days in advance, if she knows that I am coming and it definitely helps the situation. I still feel a little cloudy but the allergy attack, usually, lasts less than a day, especially if I pre-medicate. If you give your relatives a heads-up, it may help ward off a severe allergy attack. I know I would clean like a madwoman if I knew that something my home could potentially challenge someone's allergies. But...then again... I HAVE allergies and know what it's like.

I take Clarinex 5 mg on a daily basis and am not drowsy from it. It is a prescription medication. There are people who also swear by Zyrtec, although I have heard from people that there are more side effects of drowsiness from that. Benadryal makes me very drowsy but it's your choice of medications that work for you. I would definitely pre-medicate before you go.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the party!

Wow, what a potential issue for family problems. I am very allergic to cats, and my sister has several cats. She promised to keep them out of the main area and use her Dyson to keep everything clean. However, during one of her parties her cats got out and I became extemely sick. I can't go over anymore because I cannot trust my health to anyone but me. Bottom line..."Is your illness something you can handle (it does sound serious) or should you decline going there?" Only you can make that decision, but this is very tough. We have made the decision not to go to her house when we cannot be outside. We love her, but my allergies are not a priority to her, as they are to me, so we have to say "Come over to our house if you want to see us". And the worst thing you can do is count on medication to see you through. Pre-medicating is dangerous at best, according to my allergist. You never know how bad a reaction can be.

I have cat allergies as well, and my sister has a cat. We spend up to a week there a couple times a year. I pre-medicate for days before we go. This eases the sleepy effect of the benedryl,and it works better after building up in your systme for a while. Try starting it the night before and you'll do better.

I have allegergies to cat dander as well, but not to that extent. I'm wondering if you have tried anything besides Benedryl. That stuff knocks me out cold. Claratin over the counter is much better. There are numerous allergy medicines over-the-counter now that a doctor could recommend that are non-drowsy. I don't know why you should have to suffer like that with all that's out there now. Have you contacted a doctor about this or have you been self-medicating? You shouldn't have to suffer through fatigue these days.

Hi Siobhan!

I too have a severe cat allergy. I am sure this will not be popular but really think if it is worth going to the party. Since you cannot drop the kids off at the party on their own and you would get very sick if you stay, I would not attend the party. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles. I would make an excuse. I have decided it is just not worth being sick for a couple of days just to meet a family obligation. If they really care about you, they will get over it. Hopefully next time they will have a party outside the home. Good luck whatever you decide.

Don't go; my daughter has severe environmental and food allergies, and her health takes priority in all situations.

I suggest that you kindly explain this to your family and offer to celebate the birthday together at your house, a restaurant, indoor play area, etc.; if you cannot work an alterate date out, just forward a gift.

OMG! I thought I was the only one with cat allergies!I say just tell them and send a wonderful gift!

It seems that your health and your children's health have priority over this issue. We, too, have a severe cat allergy in our family and we just can't go to anyone's house who has a cat. We have to depend that our family/friends understand that it's not just a little runny nose, but a severe health issue.

I can totally relate to the cat allergies. I think your idea to pre-medicate is a good one. I would suggest Claritin (or a generic) which is 10mg Loratadine. I believe it lasts 24 hours and will not make you drowsy. I would also suggest visiting an allergist if you haven't already. They may have some other ideas for prevention and treatment.

Perhaps you can invite the nephew & his parents over for a get-together and give him the gift then? Or, as another poster suggested, perhaps there is someone else who could take the children to the party for you? I know it's hard to not allow the kids to go because of your own allergy, but it really sounds like you shouldn't be there. I also agree with the one poster who asked if they know you are that allergic?

The other possibility would be to get someone to handle the driving for you that day so you could dose up with antihistamines. Different ones work for different people - I tend to go with Zyrtec and then add Benadryl when I know I'm going into a bad situation.

Also - have you considered/tried allergy shots? I'm going through the shots treatment currently to help teach my body to NOT be so allergic to cats and other allergies. It takes a while, but I'm slowly starting to feel the benefits.

Good Luck!

I think it depends on how much you really want to attend the party. If you really want to attend, then I would try talking to the family about your situation. Is this your family or your husbands? If it is your husbands I would ask him to discuss the situation with his family and offer to help with preparations. I have found that if I brush my cats thoroughly before allergic guests arrive, and vacuum well, the allergic reaction is less. I have also seen that there are sprays available at the pet store that are supposed to decrease the allergic reaction, which is to the dander, not the fur. But, I haven't tried those. Good luck.

I would try Allegra. I had a prescription for a 12 hr one and it really seemed to help. Also, I would try to make an effort to go. I have 3 cats and allergic family members who have been to my house maybe 3 or 4 times in the 4 1/2 years I have lived there and it seems pretty one-sided. I also have bad allergies but I just find ways to deal with them. You not going to their kids party might be kind of off-putting to them. Like their house is too dirty/gross for you. Kids only get one birthday a year and the years go by way too fast! Good Luck!

Please don't take offense, but I wanted to share possbily the other side of the story:

We have 3 cats and my sister-in-law & her son are allergic. I understand that they can not come over often b/c of the allergies, but I become resentful if they never come over. As infrequently as they come over (once a year, maybe twice?), I don't think it's too much to ask for them to take some medication, and then stay for just a brief amount of time. I understand they can not be over for hours. But when I can not entertain my husband' family at my home EVER, I feel hurt. (We go to their house about 6-8 times a year.)

I would not make up an excuse, but would just be honest with your family. If you do not need to attend, have someone else take your kids. Or try a different medication even if to go for just a short period of time.

Don't go. It's not worth it.