Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Cat allergies are not that bad for those without many cat owners in their lives.  Those people can avoid the dander that causes their allergic reactions.  Sadly some cat allergy sufferers are also cat owners and lovers.  Cat allergies don’t always manifest themselves right away so a recent cat owner may not know they are allergic to cats until they have fallen in love with theirs.

The culprit is the cat dander that builds up around the house or apartment over time.  Dander as defined by the dictionary is:  Small scales from animal skin or hair or even bird feathers that can cause an allergic reaction is some people.  The allergic reactions to the dander can cause itchy skin, red eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing and trouble even breathing.  Would these cat allergy symptoms be enough to want to give the cat away?  Some people may have become too attached so they want to explore if they can manage their symptoms enough so that they don’t have to give away their beloved cat.

The best way to decrease your cat allergy symptoms is to control the levels of dander in your environment.  This includes both cleaning parts of your home regularly as well as keeping your cat out of certain areas of your house.  Some people go all out and only keep their cat in one room while others just keep them out of their bedroom and bed.  Letting your cat sleep in your bed when you have cat allergies will undoubtedly make for many miserable nights sleep.  Showering before you go to sleep is also advised since you will clean off the dander before slipping into clean pajamas.

It is always recommended to wash your hands after touching any pet. It is even more important if you have allergies. Your day can be changed for the worst by simply touching your cat and then your face.  Some advise using a micro fiber cloth to stroke your cat. This will eliminate more dander than a bath, and it is easier.

A regular cleaning routine should include changing your bedding weekly, washing your curtains monthly and even vacuuming daily whenever possible.  Your vacuum should be one that has HEPA filters that are best for allergy sufferers.

Drastic measures like “quarantining” your cat may be necessary if you try all the above and still find that you are extremely uncomfortable because of your cat allergies.  Keeping yourself healthy is the most important thing, but you can try hanging on to your cat by managing the levels of dander you get exposed to.  Totally avoiding dander when you have a cat is impossible but managing the levels isn’t.

Consulting with your doctor about your cat allergy is also advised.  They may prescribe an allergy medicine to get you to the point that you can keep your cat.  If you find you can’t keep that particular cat you may want to investigate cat breeds that are better for allergy sufferers.  You would be surprised what a difference that could make and it could help you find the right balance between your cat allergies and your love of cats.

Our feline friends can sometimes be closer to us than many people yet if you suffer from cat allergies this relationship can be challenging. How do you cope? Pets have become such a great part of our lives. They provide comfort in times of loneliness and a hobby that helps to pass the time. Though the typical household pets are cats and dogs, pets can be any animal like rabbits, fish, and birds. Some people even like snakes and lizards. All that said cats are one of the most popular which can cause problems for household members that suffer from cat allergies.

Allergic reactions to cats can range from mild to severe so before you buy one you should definitely assess whether you might have any cat allergies. Unfortunately many people find out about their allergies after the fact. Asthma has been found to be a determining factor in how allergic you may be. 4 out of 10 asthma sufferers have cat allergies. On top of that they experience more symptoms when exposed to cats than to dogs.

What causes such an allergic reaction? A protein that is found in the cat skin and saliva seems to be the driver. When cleaning themselves cat lick their fur, depositing the protein on their fur. This allergen will produce a reaction to those that are sensitive similar to reactions to other allergens like pollen, dust or dander. When the protein becomes airborne and the allergy sufferer comes into contact with it the symptoms begin.

While there appear to be dog breads that are somewhat hypo allergenic (produce fewer allergic reactions), male cats cause more allergic reactions than female because of the testosterone level in the male cat’s glands. This testosterone in turn increases the protein. The cat allergen is found mainly in homes where cats live but due to the nature of it can be found wherever a cat owner may go. The protein allergen is quite sticky and can be carried on people’s clothing from place to place. The protein particles which cause the cat allergies can remain in the air for long periods of time.

If you are allergic you will more than likely have a rapid reaction as soon as you enter the room. If there is a cat or multiple cats in a room the reaction can be severe. The most common symptom of cat allergies is wheezing and can begin by just entering a room with cats. However, there are more subtle, delayed reactions as well that may last longer. If you are continually exposed you may experience chronic asthma. Eczema or hives are other possible symptoms.

The safest bet for coping with cat allergies is to avoid these animals as much as you can. Sometimes that is not a practical option and you may want to try to manage your symptoms for the sake of others in your household. In this case it is recommended that you try to confine your cat to certain areas of the house. Keep them out of your bed and bedroom for sure. Also purchasing a hepa air purifier and cleaning regularly will help in managing your cat allergies.