We used to have a cat and then she died.  Then we were around another cat one day and my daughter had a horrible reaction - weird.
Ah, interesting. This kind of allergic reaction usually includes tightening, itching, coughing, and wheezing. Has your daughter always been allergic?
That's just it, she wasn't when we had a cat!  So I don't understand it - her eyes swelled shut almost and itched horribly.
oh wow! It sounds like it was a reaction that progressed rapidly. Did it require medical attention?
No, we were able to get some liquid benedryl in her pretty fast and washed her face and hands, and the swelling went down.  We just keep it with us just in case all the time.
Sounds like a good plan, sometimes there is a lack of public awareness regarding anaphylactic cat allergies. Are you going to get a new cat despite these circumstances?
No, I don't think that's a good idea at all.  She's fine with our dogs and we will just have to not get a cat.  Do people die from cat allergies?
I'm not personally familiar with any, but some severe cases lead to a victim's airway becoming inflamed and closed up.
Wow, I'm glad that didn't happen to her and it was just her eyes.  I think it's a topical reaction because she literally has to get the cat's fur on her to have a reaction
Yes, and there are a variety of symptoms for cat allergies such as chapped lips and rashes..So sometimes it is not super clear what the problem is.