DCP Allergies - Problem!

[AfterSchoolMom]

One of my DCP's went to the allergist yesterday, and they found out that they're HIGHLY allergic to cats. We have one cat that is mostly indoors, but does go outside a bit.

At drop off this morning, they told me that the parent's allergies have really flared up and have gotten much worse since they started here. I'm really careful about keeping my cat away from the daycare area, and I vacuum like a mad person because I'm particular about not having a bunch of hair on everything (it drives me crazy). I've had other friends who are allergic as well say that if they didn't know us well, they'd never know that we had a cat. However, I don't think those friends have as severe an allergy as the DCP does. I feel really bad about this though.

They were extremely apologetic and have stated that they really don't want to leave. They'll only be here for a few more months anyway, and then I'm taking off for the summer and part of the fall when our baby is due.

I ADORE this child and the family is the best one that I've ever had. I really, REALLY don't want them to leave. Not to mention the fact that I really need the money right now!

What can I do? Does anyone have any advice?

[Zoe]

If it's that bad for them, then there's nothing you can do short of getting rid of the cat (PLEASE don't do that, the cat is part of your family and should take priority). Just keep vacuuming and keeping the cat away from the dck's and that's all you can do. If they need to leave sooner they will.

Sorry you have to deal with this.

[kayla]

Yeah i agree dont get rid of your cat. But you vacuuming is doing nothing about the cat dander and such. The cat is in your home, therefor anytime she comes into your home she is likely to have a reaction. My dh is allergic to cats and everytime we see my sil (she has a cat) she tries to do the same clean, put it in one room while were visiting it still has no effect he breaks out in hives....

[AfterSchoolMom]

What if I bought an air purifier? Would that help? I don't really know a whole lot about animal allergies.

[kayla]

I'm not sure, you could give it a shot. I dont think it would do anything though. I just know that cat is a very hard allergy to get rid of. They dont just shed hair it is also dander, and chemicals from the litter box... In my opinion you would either have to get rid of the cat or the family... I'm not trying to be mean. I just know with cat and dog its very hard to prevent someone with allergies from breaking out.... Especially if the children are there, it's sticking to them and they are bringing it home with them everyday.

[AfterSchoolMom]

They've said that they're going to try changing the child's clothes in the afternoon first thing when coming in the door...maybe that will help.


I'm just SO upset about this, because I can't/won't get rid of my cat, but I love this child and don't want them to leave, especially so close to the end of our time together.

[Breezy]

I am highly allergic to cats and dogs and I have two of each! They make sprays that you can put on the cats to make them less allergenic I guess. We purchased it at petsmart I think. I'm pretty used to my animals but if I walk into someones house that has cats I am miserable. My cats are very scared of everything and hide in my room all day and on my bed so we have an air purifier in there they zaps big dust and dander particles. You can literally hear the zap! It has helped a lot and I sleep soundly despite all the cat hair on my bed from them laying there.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I am highly allergic to cats and dogs and I have two of each! They make sprays that you can put on the cats to make them less allergenic I guess. We purchased it at petsmart I think. I'm pretty used to my animals but if I walk into someones house that has cats I am miserable. My cats are very scared of everything and hide in my room all day and on my bed so we have an air purifier in there they zaps big dust and dander particles. You can literally hear the zap! It has helped a lot and I sleep soundly despite all the cat hair on my bed from them laying there.

Breezy, what kind of purifier do you have?

[Breezy]

Its an oreck proshield plus. It was $400 soo very pricey but to me was worth every penny

[DCBlessings27]

Cat Allergies

I'm not sure, you could give it a shot. I dont think it would do anything though. I just know that cat is a very hard allergy to get rid of. They dont just shed hair it is also dander, and chemicals from the litter box... In my opinion you would either have to get rid of the cat or the family... I'm not trying to be mean. I just know with cat and dog its very hard to prevent someone with allergies from breaking out.... Especially if the children are there, it's sticking to them and they are bringing it home with them everyday.

My husband is highly allergic to cats. He would definitely switch providers if we sent our dd to daycare with a cat. Every time we go to my aunt's house, he has an awful reaction even though she vacuums like crazy and the cat stays downstairs. We now have to meet her elsewhere. I've tried changing clothes if I was around a cat, and it didn't help him.

[Breezy]

I also wanted to add that the litter box is in our ensuite bathroom and I have never smelled it with the purifier on nor has it bugged me. It may not be a solution to your problem but I know I couldn't have my cats without something like that.

[Ariana]

It depends on the allergy because we sprayed my sisters cat with anti allergen and it did nothing for my brother.

The only thing I can offer is that you:
-get an air purifier and a hepa filter for your furnace.
-wash and spray the cat with an anti allergen and spray your carpets etc.
-wash your walls frequently as dander sticks to smooth surfaces
-wash out the childs clothes every day before he leaves.

Even if you got rid of the cat it can take up to a year before the dander leaves your home completely.

I'm not sure if all of this is worth it really!!

[AfterSchoolMom]

I'm not sure if all of this is worth it really!!

I had a very specific amount of money that I needed to save these last three months to get me through the summer. If they leave, I'm facing a long, poor summer and fall! I only planned on working through June when school is out...its hardly worth trying to find a new family at this point, it'd be impossible.

[Breezy]

I had a very specific amount of money that I needed to save these last three months to get me through the summer. If they leave, I'm facing a long, poor summer and fall! I only planned on working through June when school is out...its hardly worth trying to find a new family at this point, it'd be impossible.

Maybe you could try meeting mom outside for pick ups and drop offs and putting dcg in a new outfit right before. One that was in a zip lock bag all day and then mom doesn't have to handle the clothes with dander particles on them.

[Meyou]

What if I bought an air purifier? Would that help? I don't really know a whole lot about animal allergies.

We have a cat (it came with my dh) and I'm very allergic. Air purifiers help. I have one in our main living space and another in our bedroom and I'm not too bad.