Posted by Racer on December 28, 2005, at 10:18:55
In reply to Benadryl/cat allergies - brain damage?, posted by AMD on December 28, 2005, at 9:17:23
> My girlfriend just brought her cat into the house and immediately I began itching, sneezing, my eyes watering up. The cat also scratched me and my arm welted up.
That's what happens to me when a cat scratches me -- it's being innoculated with an allergen. But it's no more serious than the runny nose part of the allergy. Wash the scratch with gentle soap -- like Ivory -- and maybe put some hydrogen peroxide on it. You'll be FINE.
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> Now I'm worried that such an extreme allergic reaction might cause me brain damage. Is this possible? I've read that allergies cause cognitive decline. True? I'm a bit freaked. I've finally stablized my mood and I don't want to introduce any factors to upset that.Nope. Allergies may make you feel dull, cognitively, but that's only because it hurts to think when you're suffering. :-P I have never read anything about allergies causing any sort of cognitive decline, beyond the point that you can breathe again. Stop freaking yourself out over this.
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> Related: last night I took Benadryl to cope with the cat. It knocked me out, and this morning I'm still tired and a bit zonked out. Did I do permanent damage and can I expect this feeling to go away. Cognitive damage?No. Antihistimines knock people out. That's what they do. It will wear off. Your best bet, if you have a lot of contact with this cat, is to talk to your doctor about a non-drowsy anti-histimine. They exist.
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> Let me know if I'm needlessly freaking and whether I can expect my mood and mind to return once the medicine has worn off.
>Yes. You are needlessly freaking yourself out -- but I notice that you sound much less freaked out than previously, and congratulate you on your progress. You'll be fine, and your mind will return as soon as you're less drowsy from the Benadryl and allergy.
For what it's worth, I am allergic to cats -- and live with two of them. I hope I haven't had too much cognitive decline, but will say that any I do have is more age related than cat related.
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:592715
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051221/msgs/592727.html