[desperate_housewife2008]

I have allergies to pollen, cat dander and mold.
I have 2 cats I love so I'm not giving them away. I want to do something to feel better without taking pills all the time. I'm a firm believer that you can make your body get used to something or at least make your body tolerate the allergies better instead of messing with your immune system by popping pills and making everything else worse.

When I was in France, there was something called "desensibilisation" to fight allergies. It consisted in getting shots of the allergen (same idea as a vaccine) regularly for a period of months and then you'd be fine for at least 5 years.

Do you know about anything similar here in the US?

Thank you!

[Samual]

I know we have it in the UK, they should have it in the US as it is a very important treatment.

[Momof2kids]

I don't remember the name of the series of shots but they do have it here in the US---try seeing an allergist. Also, in the mean time try using a netti (sp?) pot. It works great! You pour a salt and warm water mixture up your nose sideways and it pours out the other end---sound confusing but it clears any congestion, helps you breath and clears the allergies out. Hope you feel better.

[JeanLynn81]

Vacuum the cats.

No, seriously! Get a little hand-vac and vacuum then once a week. it will reduce shedding by ALOT.

[FlamingPanties]

How is the cat desensitizing working out? I like cats and have a very bad cat allergy all my life. Cats always got me far sicker than dogs.

[sstoh]

Hello,

I find that hot ginger tea helps a stuffy nose but not when you have a fever as well. Try to add lemon juice in your diet, exercise regularly and you should see improvement.