Cat Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and Prevention

Cat Allergies Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and Prevention - Authne

if you are allergic to cats, then People with cat allergies react to specific substances and dander might include swollen, red, itchy, and watery eyes; nasal congestion, itchy nose, sneezing, fever, hives, rash, or itchy skin. 

Cat Allergies

According to a recent report published in many journals, millions of people in the world are allergic to cats or exhibit symptoms of cat allergies. However, people often misunderstand these signs & symptoms. The majority believe that cat allergies are caused by allergens from the fur (skin coat) or cat dander (scales of the skin), when, in fact, most of the potent allergens come mainly from saliva and sweat.

 Cause of Cat Allergies

A cat’s saliva or sweat contains a protein with a carbohydrate structure network called “Fel d 1.” It is an allergen that provokes symptoms of cat allergy. 

“Fel d 1” is much smaller than pollen or mold spores, which are very potent allergens already because of their very small in size, but because of their much smaller size, “Fel d 1” has an even greater possibility to cause an allergic reaction. “Fel d 1” can efficiently avoid nasal passages and lodges deep in the lungs, where it can cause allergic episodes and asthma.

As pollen and mold spores, “Fel d 1” are airborne allergens. They are often microscopic and float in the air efficiently. After a cat licks itself while grooming, the “Fel d 1” allergen is deposited on its fur and once that occurs, the dried particles of saliva can float off and drift around your home. The protein allergen can be found anywhere as apart from being airborne, it attaches itself to walls, windows, and furniture. What is actually more amazing is that this allergen can remain in your home for years after a cat leaves your home. So if you want to terminate the allergen from your home to protect yourself from cat allergies, everything would have to be totally cleaned.

Symptoms of Cat Allergies

Like most allergies, this cat allergy can affect your eyes, nose, ears, throat, lungs, and skin. The symptoms, especially respiratory reactions, normally happen between fifteen and forty minutes after one is exposed. Regardless, note that pet-related allergies like cat allergies can take days from initial exposure for its onset.

The most common symptoms associated with cat allergy are:

  • Red, itchy, or swollen eyes
  • Reddened spots on the skin
  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Ears that become stuffed up or itchy
  • Postnasal drip
  • Itching and hoarseness in the throat
  • Frequent bronchitis
  • Coughing and wheezing

How to Control Cat Allergy

Always the best way to control allergic reactions is the avoidance strategy. However, the majority of people with cat allergies often ignore medical advice and continue to keep at least one cat at home even after a diagnosis of their situation. We all adore our cats and we want to protect them, but you should think about yourself once in a while. Here, are some tips to help you control your cat allergies even while keeping a cat home:

  • Use reputable allergy relief and avoidance items at home
  • Since “Fel d 1” allergens float in the air, having a source of fresh air will lower the allergen. Improve ventilation in your house by using an air conditioner invariant during humid months.
  • Use a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to reduce particles of cat allergen in your home.

If signs & symptoms persist even after following the tips provided above, then possibly it’s time for you to consult a doctor for his advice on proper medication or immunotherapy.

Steps to Remove cat allergens

 First, recognise the basics of cat allergens. They are typically airborne, so that means you have to breathe them in first before they can trigger any of your cat allergy symptoms.   

Here, are some steps you can take to decrease cat allergens in your home and, in the process, decrease your cat allergies as well:

Step 1: Do not all your cats sleep on the bed. 

When you think about it, this is really a very minimal price to pay. Think about itchy eyes, wheezing, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, rashes, and swelling, and you’ll recognise that not having your cat in your bed is not that terribly necessary. After all, when you have cat allergies but still demand on keeping a cat, you have to know that there are a few things that you have to give up to achieve symmetry between your health and your love for your cat.

Step 2: Keep your cats out of the bedroom altogether

This is yet another small price to pay for allergy comfort. To prevent air from other rooms in your house from infecting your bedroom air, keep the door closed at all times. An air-conditioner or an air purifier would be of much help to keep your bedroom covered from cat allergies.

Step 3: Wash the bedclothes in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly.

 Because some of you may allow your cat to creep up your bed every now and then, be sure to wash your beddings frequently. This will help ease dust mites and cat allergens which you may unconsciously breathe in while sleeping.

Step 4: Use HEPA air filters in rooms where you normally keep your cat.

 A HEPA air filter, which is a high-efficiency particulate air filter can help you. Sometimes, actually, after you’ve totally cleaned your house of all dust and dirt, a few cat allergens remain. They are usually very difficult to remove. Air filters will help you cleanse the air in your room and keep cat allergens at a low level.

Step 5: Vacuum up cat allergen with a high-grade vacuum cleaner twice weekly

 Cat allergens usually stick to walls, carpet, flooring, chairs, and furniture. During vacuuming, be sure to simply check and clean these surfaces. Again, use hypo-allergenic vacuum bags to control the allergens from escaping and getting in the air while you clean.

Treatment of Cat Allergies

Cat allergies can normally be controlled with standard allergy medications. Your doctor might suggest to you:

Antihistamines, which are generally available over-the-counter like cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine ( Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin); or some of the antihistamines such as azelastine (Astelin) come in a nasal spray.

Decongestants, which are generally available over-the-counter pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or allergy medications that have the ingredient pseudoephedrine such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D.

Nasal steroid sprays, impact allergy or asthma symptoms in various ways; steroid sprays are a standard treatment for allergies. Budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone (Flonase), and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR) are common steroid sprays that are available over the counter.

Allergy shots are another alternative. Allergy shots are not constantly effective, and completing treatment can take years. They’re also not used for children below age 5. But they can be a huge help to some individuals. Ask your doctor if they make promises for you.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent any kind of allergy instantly. Some studies have shown that disclosure to pets as a young child seems to ease the risk of developing pet allergies later. 

Prevention of cat allergies

Avoidance is best to prevent cat allergies in the first place. But if you discover you’re allergic to your cat, there are other alternatives than getting rid of your pet. Consider these strategies for decreasing your symptoms.

  • Keep your cat out of your bedroom.
  • Wash your hands after touching your cat.
  • Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstered furniture if you are suspicious of any allergies. Wood or tiled flooring and clean walls help decrease allergens.
  • Select throw rugs or furniture coverings that can be washed in hot water, and wash them frequently.
  • Cover heating and air-conditioning vents with a thick filtering material such as cheesecloth.
  • Install a High-quality air cleaner.
  • Change the filters on air conditioning units and furnaces continually.
  • Keep the humidity level in your home at around 40 per cent.
  • Vacuum your room weekly with a HEPA air filter vacuum.
  • Use a face mask while dusting or cleaning your room.
  • Recruit a nonallergic individual to regularly dust the home and clean the litter box.

If you have severe cat allergies, talk to your doctor about immunotherapy for a long-term treatment answer.

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