I have asthma and 5 cats. I've had it for almost 20 years (I developed it as a teenager), and it's pretty well under control, despite all the cat hair and dust. For me the inhaled corticosteroids have been the life saver.

I had a similar situation, with a new longhair stray who sheds more than any creature on earth. Mostly... I think I just got used to him and his fur and dander. (I firmly believe that you build up a tolerance to specific critters.) I do try to vacuum more (and I HAVE to lint roll more), but I'm not that great a housekeeper. I run a vaporizer in my bedroom in the winter, and try to air out the house whenever it warms up slightly. Don't forget tea... a respiratory terrorist I know makes me drink black tea when I'm feeling constricted.

Good luck! I just got allergy tested, and of course was positive for cats, dogs, horses... oddly enough, I have worked with all three without much problem (except at the cat shelter - that was too much for me). I am terribly allergic to hay, and wheeze whenever I get near it - yet I could have my nose buried in a horse's neck for an hour, or sleep with a cat near my face and never have a problem. I think it might be sheer willpower.

My daughter is borderline asthmatic, and I pretty much changed a lot of things in my household. I got rid of the carpeting in the house (except for the family room), the hardwood floors are cold in the winter, but I splurged on Ugg slippers :) The wood floors seem to get dust bunnies in the corners (where the heck do those come from, anyway?) But it's amazing how a dry swiffer thing can just pick those up, it's actually a lot less of a hassle than vacuuming.

If you have to keep carpeting in your home, get a good vacuum. A good vacuum is not cheap, I've investigated multiple brands, and the Kirby I bought lets out VERY little dust, and the bags are not expensive. Don't ever use that sprinkly stuff to make your carpet smell "fresh."

Anyway, I also got rid of all mini-blinds. They are only dust magents. I went back to the old fashioned roller blinds, but it's kind of nice, reminds me of my childhood, and you can find really pretty ones that are very easy to clean, and they are not major dust attractors.

I hate to dust, and I really despise cleaning products, they seem to affect my daughter, too. Burning a lightly scented or no-scent candle seems to cut down on the amount of dust in my house as well. Just don't forget you have a lit candle in your home.

Don't forget to have someone come and clean out your heating and air conditioning ducts annually. It's really not that expensive and it has really helped my daughter.

We have a Great Pyrenees, and boy does he shed! Thankfully, my daughter is not allergic to dogs. I am not asthmatic, but my allergies are horrendous! But actually, closed windows work for me (in the spring and summer), I dare not open them up and let the country air come in or I will be sorry. I also don't hang anything outside on the clothes line to dry, pollen will stick to the clothes and then I'll be wearing what I'm allergic to around with me all day.

I also don't like to over-medicate my daughter. We finally found an allergy med that works for her, and she takes it every day. She hasn't needed her inhaler in over a year!

Good luck to you!

yeah I have asthma&am allergic to cats,,dogs,,everything,,take advair,,do yoga when I can,,use humidfyrers,,,wash the guys or at least wipe them down w/a wet towel once in a while.