Surely There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat?

If you’ve read my tweet a few days ago, you would be aware that I had been sick. Again. Hmm…

My doctor suggested that I may be allergic to my cats. Of course, the obvious solution is to remove the offensive allergen. But you see, I’m very, very fond of my cats. Apart from vacuuming and wiping all the corners of my small apartment, washing all the sheets and upholstery and keeping the windows open, I don’t know what else I can do to make living with 7 giant furballs more tolerable. Should I shave them bald? Keep them locked in the bathroom during the hours when I’m awake? Ok, just kidding!

Are you allergic to your pets but still live with them? How do you cope?

Itching for Relief - Living with Eczema

This morning, I took my mother to see the doctor — the third time this month and the 6th doctor we talked to regarding her condition.

For the past two months, she’s been itching day and night and covered from head to toes in hives. It’s quite debilitating — affecting her sleep and limiting the time she spends outdoors. The docs had ruled out other possibilities and concluded that she’s suffering from severe eczema (common with asthma sufferers like herself). The treatment prescribed: cortisone creams, injections and anti-inflammatory pills that zonk her out of scratching.

Why now after all these years? According to the doctors, her age is a big factor because as people age, their skin gets thinner and more prone to drying and flaking. My aunts (my mum’s sisters) have the same problem and so did my late grandma so this is something I’ve unwillingly inherited – eczema-prone skin (guess I’d better start liberally slathering myself with moisturiser now).

We’ve made a number of adjustments — we’ve changed the soaps that she’s been using to one recommended by the doc, she’s forbidden from touching the cats and she’s stopped eating cheese, milk, meat and seafood. In fact, she’s only been eating wholemeal bread (plain) in the morning and vegetables and tofu at night for a week now to rule out foods that may cause the flare ups.

The creams and pills provide temporary relief but there hasn’t been much improvement otherwise so if you guys have some valuable suggestions or personal experiences to share, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear them. Thank you!