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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is The New Cat In My House Causing Wheezing And Coughing Of Phlegm?

I am 20yrs old and over the last couple of weeks I have started wheezing when I lye down and coughing up small amounts of flem. I got a new cat around 2 weeks ago, at first it was in my bedroom but I began sneezing, had an itchy throat and eyes. After a few days I moved the cat to a different room, this helped the sneezing but not the wheezing. I go to the gym 3 times a week and can breathe fine but when I try and sleep its impossible. Any idea whats up?
Wed, 6 Aug 2014
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Allergist and Immunologist,  's  Response
Hello.

Thank you for asking at HCM.

I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:

1. Yes, cat can cause allergic symptoms like sneezing (allergic rhinitis) and wheezing (asthma). There are many proteins in cat saliva, urine, skin epithelia, dander etc which causes allergies.

The best option in my opinion would be to remove cat from the house. However, if it is not possible, I would suggest you to keep the cat out of bed room (as you are already doing), bath the cat at least every week and minimize carpets & upholstered furniture in house.

2. Personally I would suggest you to go for allergy testing for cat allergens to confirm allergy to cat proteins.

3. After removal of cat from room/house, it takes around 6 months to decrease the cat proteins in the room/house. So, in my opinion, it will take some time to reduce your wheezing, if it is due to cat proteins.

4. Were I treating you, I would prescribe you daily montelukast and levocetirizine for at least 2 weeks and to use salbutamol or levosalbutamol inhaler if you wheeze.

5. If allergy testing supports allergy to cat proteins, I would suggest you specific allergen immunotherapy to cat proteins, which will improve immunity towards cat proteins. In that case, you may not need removal of cat from your room/house.

Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.

Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.

Wish you the best of the health.

Thank you & Regards.
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Is The New Cat In My House Causing Wheezing And Coughing Of Phlegm?

Hello. Thank you for asking at HCM. I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows: 1. Yes, cat can cause allergic symptoms like sneezing (allergic rhinitis) and wheezing (asthma). There are many proteins in cat saliva, urine, skin epithelia, dander etc which causes allergies. The best option in my opinion would be to remove cat from the house. However, if it is not possible, I would suggest you to keep the cat out of bed room (as you are already doing), bath the cat at least every week and minimize carpets & upholstered furniture in house. 2. Personally I would suggest you to go for allergy testing for cat allergens to confirm allergy to cat proteins. 3. After removal of cat from room/house, it takes around 6 months to decrease the cat proteins in the room/house. So, in my opinion, it will take some time to reduce your wheezing, if it is due to cat proteins. 4. Were I treating you, I would prescribe you daily montelukast and levocetirizine for at least 2 weeks and to use salbutamol or levosalbutamol inhaler if you wheeze. 5. If allergy testing supports allergy to cat proteins, I would suggest you specific allergen immunotherapy to cat proteins, which will improve immunity towards cat proteins. In that case, you may not need removal of cat from your room/house. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you. Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM. Wish you the best of the health. Thank you & Regards.