Today's useless fact - I'm allergic to cats. What can be done to reduce cat allergens when I visit cat-friendly homes?

If you are allergic to cats, the best thing you can do is not offend the owner of the cat. It is rude to assume that they should put the cat away somewhere while you are visiting. The cat lives there after all and you don't. Not to mention that the cat simply being in the other room won't help. Additional cleaning does not always help because you are actually allergic to the cat's dander and not the hair. This is very hard to get out but, of course, additional cleaning never hurts.

Ultimately, you are the one who can take action. Taking an antihistamine before going over to this person's house will help. It will reduce your reaction and make you more comfortable in their residence. Just remember that people's pets can often be a tricky situation. They can be thought of as family members so when you tell them you are allergic to the cat and could they do something about it, you could offend them. If you find that the medicine works, then its probably not necessary to tell then you are allergic. If it doesn't work then explain it to them nicely and tell them your actions taken to reduce your reaction. If this is the case, they will probably be grateful that you tried and will understand in the future.

Lastly, always consult your doctor or allergist. There might be more they can suggest that will help you, and you might want to consult them before picking out a medicine.Check out the links in our Allergy category for more.