Allergies!?!?!?!

[artemisblue]

Hello.
I plan to become a groomer (just have to get the $$$ for school).
Anyway, I just got a clipper and was "testing" it on my long haired cat and then the following day I was all sniffles and sneezing. My family thinks I might have a cat/dog/animal dander allergy!!!! But I've had a cat for years, and I'm already taking a prescription for allergies (Zyrtec)!
What should I do?!?!
Is there anyway to protect myself from all the dander?

On a related note... Any suggestions for my cat's dandruff? I was thinking of giving her a bath in Head & Shoulders.... or is there a better solution>

[Fur Elite]

Many, many more people are allergic to cats than to dogs. So if you have a cat allergy, this doesn't mean your grooming is destined to be problematic. I am allergic to can dander as well, and although I groomed some cats I am weeding them out. You might want to determine, however, if you have a dog allergy as well and how bad it is before you get too far down a road that you might by miserable in.

[Helly]

First of all, do NOT use Head & Shoulders on your cat without checking with your vet first! Cats are more sensitive to chemicals than dogs. The problem is more likely caused by diet, and you need to address it as such. You might need to comb the cat more often, too.

If you started sneezing after clipping the cat, it may be dander, or it may be tiny pieces of cat hair that you inhaled. Either way, you can wear a face mask to prevent breathing in dander and hair when you groom.

[minkyboodle]

I agree with Helly on all the above. A face mask will probably help with your sneezing and I would definately be hesitant to use Head and Shoulders on any cat!!

[Mary1980]

Do any of you wear masks while grooming? I think it would help so much in not breathing in so much hair and dander. I'm thinking not many people wear them though and that it looks odd.

[plushpuppy]

I am highly allergic to cats. I groom them all the time and wear those dispoable face masks. It has really helped. I also am on Allegra 180 one in the morning and have an orec air purifier in my shop.

[milhasavilla]

Yup, allergies here too! Take pills, blockers, etc. and try to put on those darn face masks, but I'm not very consistent. Most of my allergies stem from cats, so I only do a couple - dogs don't bother me near as bad. Some bother me more than others. I haven't tried an air purifier in the shop yet, good idea plushpuppy! Allergies, to me, are something I just live with. I wouldn't give up grooming becuase of them, they're manageable at this point.

[artemisblue]

Thanks! I feel so much better! I was afraid I'd have to give up on my dream before it has even begun.
I'm going to the Allergy doctor to make a clear determination of my condition. But its comforting to know I'm not the only one.

and yes, I am NOT going to use head and shoulders on the cat.
I didn't think about her diet being the cause of her dander, I'll have to talk to the vet.

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[diamienono]

I am allergic to EVERYTHING

I take Allegra-D in the morning along with 2 squirts of Nasonex. Then Allegra 180 at night with another 2 squirts in each side. I still have some bad days. When Everything is in bloom, or if I notice the dog has flaky skin, I try to put on a mask. I also use a diluted Downey on my walls and all over my trailer to help keep the dander from floating around and sticking everywhere. So, I am happy to keep on grooming

[Sweetpea]

I'm allergic to both cats and dogs. I sneeze all the time at the vet hospital I work in (sneezing right now too) and on hot days when I groom dogs. Is that weird? Oh well, I've learned to live with it. I don't like taking allergy medicine, only will if it's just too much to handle. For the shampoo; I learned at the groom expo last year in a class I took that if you can't eat it, or if it wasn't specifically made for pets, DON'T USE IT ON THEM. I immediatly thought of how my old bosses used Dawn dishsoap on greasy coats. I told them but they didn't listen to me, oh well, I know I'll do whats best for MY clients' pets.

[Gracy Rose]

Not to be gross but WEAR a face mask. My son is an EMT and has met some scary people in his job (lol), anyway one of the guys works at the morgue he told us that he can tell what profession someone had when they die. Example: beauticians lungs are full of hair and nail acrylic nail powder, construction workers have dirt and sawdust. Ever since then I have been worried about being found with Dog Hair and Anal Glands in my lungs, so I wear a mask.

[artemisblue]

My birthday is this month so I'm asking for a neat-o face mask I came across...
:<) <-that is me in a mask
I also want a $200 cat litter box.... The one from Pet Edge that FLUSHES ITSELF! so awesome. I have big dreams

[keachy18]

I am allergic to cats and mildly to dogs also. I cant touch our cat in our house usually except maybe her face, it depends on the day. For some reason I do better with longer haired cats, maybe the dander is farther away, I dont know. And with dogs it just depends on the dog. I have been around animals all my life. Don't let allergies get in the way of your dreams. There are so many things that can be done now to keep them under control. I would never stop working with animals because of allergies!! Even though one doctor told me to get rid of my cat and dogs, YEAH, RIGHT!!!

[pamperedpups]

Edited.