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Allergies and intolerances

Can you be allergic to just long haired cats?

3 replies

neverlookback · 26/07/2013 12:54

My 7yr old dd has never had a reaction to any animal before we have dogs she goes horse riding, stroked cats no problem then two nights ago we went to someone's house for 15 min who had a long haired cat a rag doll I think they are called, dd was stroking it and 2 hours later all her legs came up in a red fine itchy rash and by morn all her arms too none on her back or front and her face is just a bit blotchy, took her to the dr who said it is an allergic reaction to something and given anti histamine. She's had 3 doses but its not improved at all and she's going on hol in the morning with her dad.
I'm just puzzled as the only thing different was that cat????

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HotSoupDumpling · 26/07/2013 16:36

Some people say that long haired cats provoke a greater allergic reaction because their longer fur means more saliva which causes dander (which is what causes the allergy). But some people disagree. Dr. Google has a lot on this sort of stuff: e.g. www.medicalhealthtests.com/diseases-and-tests/allergy/cat-allergy.html

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OHforDUCKScake · 26/07/2013 21:03

Hi, my mum was allergic to all cars apart from ginger ones. I got her a ginger kitten about 12 years ago and since then she is no longer allergic to any cats. Im fact, she mow volunteers in the cat section of the RSPCA. Started this weekend! I remember as a child visiting friends with cats and her streaming and wheezing and sneezing on the way home. Basically, having the ginger cat meant she somehow built up a resistance to all other cats. Much to her delight as she adores them.

On the flip side, I used to be a veterinary nurse, and have never been allergic to a cat. Im owned a cat. I then got told someone was desperate to home a kitten, I happily obliged, took that black short haired fur ball home and squished and cuddled and kissed it and rub it on my cheeks and my eye balls swelled up with weird pockets of fluid and itched like mad, apparently I was allergic. It got to the point where I couldnt even stroke her or my eyes would swell Sad.

So basically, long hair, short hair, ginger or black and white you can certainly be allergic to one cat and not to another.

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hugoagogo · 26/07/2013 21:10

I think so; dd is fine with the cats we have had, but when she visits pils, who have a ragdoll cat, she has to take antihistimines.

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