Can pet allergies have a negative effect on immune system?!
Question: I am allergic to cats (not deathly allergic, but very watery eyes/runny nose etc). For my work, I have to go to my client's homes, two of which have cats. So 4 hours per week I am around these cats. I take Benadryl to help the symptoms. Its annoying but a great job. However, lately I keep getting sick which is not normal for me...flu, viruses, sinus infections etc. Could being around these cats be effecting my immune stystem? I usually dont even get sick once a year and now I am getting sick with high fevers once a month. Please help!
Answers: I am allergic to cats (not deathly allergic, but very watery eyes/runny nose etc). For my work, I have to go to my client's homes, two of which have cats. So 4 hours per week I am around these cats. I take Benadryl to help the symptoms. Its annoying but a great job. However, lately I keep getting sick which is not normal for me...flu, viruses, sinus infections etc. Could being around these cats be effecting my immune stystem? I usually dont even get sick once a year and now I am getting sick with high fevers once a month. Please help!
Yes, it can affect it. Keeping in mind that cat dander is probably causing your problem to begin with. Its airborne. So your actually carrying it with you. Good hot showers should get it off of your person. But its being left in your car after riding in it and every other place you go before showing. After a prolonged period it could cause you problems
i don't think it's the cats, do you use air-con in your car a lot? that can cause it. and there are better things to take than benadryl for cat allergies. ask a doctor
HI. It's interesting you ask this, as I am planning to buy a cat and i have allergies to one, and no allergies to other cats. I don't know what will happen. But if you are feeling your immune system is not well, why don't you take a multi-vitamin so it boosts your system, and also can't you tell the person directly about this problem? come on! i had allergies with my cousin's cat and told her to take him out of the rooms when i was even so young!!
good luck
Absolutely. Your body is so busy fighting off allergens, that it can become run down and open to viruses and bacteria.
But, if the Benadryl is keeping you from being allergy laden, then I would think that it's from the contact with new people (new people = new germs), not from the allergies as much.
I always get horribly sick when my allergies are active. Now, I take Claritin once a day and have been so much healthier.
Allergies are an aspect of the immune system. When you take Benadryl to help the symptoms, you are in a small way suppressing the immune system, making you more susceptible to germs.
Benadryl bills itself as "The Histamine Blocker". Histamine is a messenger chemical for the immune system; when it makes your nose run, it is also triggering increased antibody production, which fights infection.
Allergic reaction is your body signaling you that your immune system needs a "tune-up".