Air Duct Cleaning/cat Allergies

Yes, get the air ducts cleaned! Cat shots (injections) have helped me tremendously with my cat allergies! Night and day difference. I still take Singular every day and occasionally Allegra. Do a sinus rinse daily. If you can get rid of the carpet in your house, it'll drastically help your allergies. I started using Norwex mattress cleaner back in may. It is an enzyme cleaner that eats dust mite fecal matter, dead skin cells, and pet dander. I noticed a difference within a week. I spray once a month on my mattress, pillows, fabric couches, curtains, and carpeted areas. It works!

You'd be amazed at what kind of crud comes out of the ducts during a professional cleaning.

It is important to get a reputable company to do it, because doing it wrong can cause damage. I saw a comment below that mentioned it "blowing dust around" - that indicates an improper job. There is no dust blowing around because the vents are sealed with collection bags. Vent cleaning is more than simply blowing air.

I'd also suggest, because of the previous owner's cats, that you remove the old carpeting.

We had our ducts cleaned and it really improved the air quality in the home. We plan to have it done every few years from now on. and while they are at it see if they will clean the dryer ducts, our drying time when down by half after the clean out.

Get an air purifier for your home.
Get several.
It is a necessary, thing.
My parents got those when I was a kid. Because, I had allergies to stuff in the air. And we had, pets.

Allergies can be due to anything, in the air.
Even pollen or air pollutants from outside.
It can even cling to your clothing. And you can't see it because it is so small to the naked eye. My Mom's allergist told her that. And also, even vacuuming... he told her to wear a face mask when doing so, because, vacuuming kicks up dust into the air, which you cannot see, and so even after 1 hour after vacuuming, it can affect her.

I don't think it is only due to the cat.
But dander/fur can get onto your Husband and cling to his clothing and hands etc., and then when he is in the general areas of the house, it can be on his clothing... and then on/or near you, and it can affect you.
I know. I had cats for many years. I also have, allergies to general things in the air. SO, I would wash my hands after handling the cats, and CHANGE my clothes.
Tell your Husband that.

And yes, the cat fur/dander can get all over the place and/or into the ducts.
We have a pet rabbit. AND, the shedded fur, gets even stuck onto the window screens where the cage is near. Even if that is 5 feet up from the rabbit area.
Just via, wind currents.... the fur fluff drifts.

I never had allergy shots.
I just take Claritin. That works for me.
I don't like Zyrtec.
Each person is different.

Your Husband's cat is old.
Just due to its age, well, I wouldn't force him to get rid of it.
I mean, my cat was 14 years old, when he started to get old and sick... and then, died due to degeneration of his general health.
I personally, could not get rid of my cat, when he was that old.

I'd get the air ducts cleaning done and when that doesn't help, they you will know, and so will your husband. I understand not getting rid of the cat because of its advanced age, but you must put your foot down in terms of replacing the cat when the time comes. If you don't put your foot down, you're in for many years of this to come, and you shouldn't allow it.

Re your cat... a friend of mine got new kittens, kept them upstairs. I went over recently and after 2-3 hours, I couldn't breathe. I had to leave.

Your cat has been in your home for 8 years. Yes, I think it's part of the problem.

We used to have a cat, many years ago, I never had a cat allergy. In the last 10 years, I have developed a cat allergy.

I would love to have another cat, my kids are DYING to have one, but now I know for sure I can't. It stinks.

I made the rounds at Cat Adoption events, asking for advice (before the recent experience at friends house) and one of the volunteers has a strong cat allergy, but she just takes OTC allergy medicine every day. So you can do that.

I hope the air duct cleaning will help. I can't hurt. Just make sure they do not damage your ducts. Ask them to verify how they will prevent damage.

Honestly, at this point, if you could find a home for your cat, you should. Your family should have sympathy for your condition as well. It's a horrible way for you to live.

Your husband should side with you (his wife) and not the cat (or the kids). I get that he loves the cat, but come on.

I'll tell you a story: 3 years ago I picked up an adorable, full grown, friendly, stray orange tabby. My kids loved the cat. I loved the cat. (My husband wasn't too happy that I just went ahead and brought home a cat.) I kept him in my daughter's bedroom because we have a big dog and I was terrified big dog would attack little cat. Within a week, I couldn't breathe anymore. Had to give cat away. At the time I didn't want to deal with living with shots or OTC meds to have a cat. I couldn't even think straight. All I knew was I had a big dog who didn't like cats, a husband who wasn't thrilled I brought home a stray without discussing it first and now, Allergies. I found a great owner who came to pick up cat. My kids were BAWLING in the street when the car drove away. I was not expecting that! But sorry! Cat had to go! I later found out cat was very happy in the new home, eating fancy take out leftovers every once in awhile.

In the 1990s, I bought an indoor air cleaner to help with the cat allergies. The problem (my dust allergies) were improved significantly. You might want to buy one of those babies. They are very pricey though. But if your husband really wants to keep the damn cat, then he has to shell out the money to help make you as comfortable as possible.

Do the kids help you dust/vacuum the house weekly?
Do you all that extra work by yourself?
Not fair. Every one has to chip in. Develop a plan.
If you can afford a cleaning person to come in, get that.
Your house needs a deep cleaning (probably that basement as well) and if you ever clean, you should probably be wearing a mask.
Can you pay someone to deep clean the basement for you?
If you are banned from a room in your own home - that's just not right.

Allergy Control Products is a very good company and good resource for information. I have dust mite allergies, so all my mattresses have a barrier and I wash all sheets 1x a week in HOT water. Comforters get washed 1x a month.
https://www.allergycontrol.com/t-catalogrequest.aspx