Cat Allergy Symptoms and Treatment

Cat allergy is the most common animal-borne allergy, affecting about one in five adults. However, many people are unaware of this allergy. Because cat allergy symptoms are confused with different health problems. If you suspect you have allergies, of course you know that the most effective solution is to stay away from cats. But there are many ways to manage a cat allergy.

What Is a Cat Allergy?

When you have an allergy, your immune system mistakenly thinks a harmless substance (like pollen or dust) is harmful and starts producing antibodies to fight it. This is why you may sneeze or your eyes, nose and skin may itch when you come into contact with an allergen. Your body’s immune system is designed to protect you from things that can harm your health, such as bacteria or viruses. But when your immune system reacts to something you’re not allergic to, it can cause breathing problems, itchy or red skin, or hives that can itch and burn.

Allergies can be caused by many different substances, including food, dandruff, flea bites, inhaled pollutants, and certain medications. Certain medications, such as antibiotics or some antihistamines, can also cause them. Most of the time, it’s a protein in the allergen that’s causing your symptoms. Cat hair is made of tiny proteins shed by cats that fly through the air as microscopic particles when placed on surfaces. These allergens can be found in a variety of places, such as indoors and outdoors. They can also be found in your pet’s fur, such as in their ears or under their tail.

Most of the cat allergen is made up of proteins called Fel d 1. These proteins are found in the saliva and fur that cats scatter as they clean themselves. Fel d 1 allergen is more common in female cats than in males, but it is not the only allergen that causes allergies. The amount of Fel d 1 in a person’s body varies with gender and anatomical areas such as the skin and respiratory tract. This protein has the ability to bind to and irritate cells in the lining of the nose, lungs, sinuses, and mouth. These irritated cells can then cause your allergy symptoms to flare up.

If you are pregnant or have other family members with allergies, you may be more likely to have allergies. You’re also more likely to have allergies if you have asthma.

Cat Allergy Symptoms

Most people are allergic to proteins (allergens) found in pet dander, fur, and saliva. Allergens can also travel on clothing and airborne particles and can be difficult to get rid of from the environment. While some cat breeds may produce fewer protein allergens than others, no cat is completely hypoallergenic. Houses with more than one cat have higher cat allergens than those without.

Generally, cats produce high amounts of Fel d 1, the main cat allergen. Fel d 1 is a protein that causes inflammation and swelling in the skin and lungs, which can lead to sneezing, coughing and wheezing. In addition to dandruff, cats also secrete protein allergens from their saliva and urine. Danger and saliva can be spread by the breeze and remain on your clothes, furniture and linens.

Although the amount of dandruff a cat produces is not as great as it used to be, it is still quite significant. If you are allergic to cats, the best way to prevent an allergy attack is to avoid them as much as possible. If your symptoms are severe, your pediatrician may recommend immunotherapy or allergy vaccines that deliver small amounts of the cat allergen to build tolerance over time. These treatments aren’t for everyone, but they can help.

Cat allergy symptoms;

• skin itching,
• sneeze,
• itching in the nose and throat,
• redness,
• cough,
• shortness of breath,
• grunt,
• Other symptoms include gastrointestinal problems, respiratory distress, and runny eyes or nose.

Cat allergy-causing allergens include dandruff and saliva. Dandruff is a small protein shed by cats on their skin and hair. This protein is transferred to your skin and hair when you groom your cat or run your hands on its fur. Allergy symptoms usually appear 15 to 30 minutes after exposure to the allergen. These symptoms are similar to hay fever and the common cold.

If you suspect your child has a cat allergy, it’s important to see a doctor for allergy testing. These tests can help pinpoint the proteins your child is allergic to, which can help them get the best treatment. A skin prick test involves placing a small amount of allergen just under your skin and then watching for any reactions. If the test gives a positive response, you may be prescribed a treatment. Another option is a blood test that measures the amount of certain immune substances in your body. They can also tell your doctor about the allergens that trigger your cat allergy.

What Causes Cat Allergy?

Cat allergy is a common allergy, affecting up to 25% of people who also have other allergies. These people typically experience symptoms such as itchy eyes and sneezing when exposed to cat dander or dander.

An allergy to cats can be caused by a variety of factors, including your own sensitivities, the type of cat you have, the time of year, and whether you have any other allergies or health conditions that could be causing the allergy. In some cases, the allergy can be triggered by contact with other things, such as the cat’s saliva or urine.

Are short-haired cats better than long-haired cats?

The fact that you are allergic to cats is not actually a matter of the length of their fur. Because no cat is hypoallergenic. However, it is a fact that long-haired cats shed more. As a result of the researches, it has been revealed that long-haired cats produce more disadvantages in terms of allergies. Among the reasons for this, hair loss and care are in the first place. Long-haired cats should be groomed more often. Therefore, if possible, getting your cat to shave regularly can reduce allergy symptoms.

What Is Good For Cat Allergy?

While people can develop allergies to a number of things, such as dust, pollen, or food, allergies to cats are more common with them. The hairs that grow out of your cat’s fur, the saliva and urine they produce, can trigger reactions that lead to sneezing, coughing, itchy throat and runny nose. The good news is that cat allergies can be managed. The most effective method to improve your quality of life and relieve symptoms is to go to the doctor. Apart from this, there are many simple methods.

Medication

Your doctor may recommend using prescription or over-the-counter medication. This is usually the treatment for people with severe symptoms.

ventilation of the house

Airing the house every day brings many benefits. One of these benefits is reducing allergens. It helps people with allergies to relax and breathe healthier.

Steam Cleaning Instead of Sweeping

Avoiding cats is the best way to prevent allergies, but this is not always possible. However, you can reduce the amount of allergens in your home by vacuuming and vacuuming carpets, furniture and floors regularly. If you’re a cat owner, use a microfilter vacuum cleaner to minimize allergens back into the air.

However, the broom can cause dust to fly in the air and produce more allergens. For this reason, it is much more effective to clean the carpets with steam for the most effective solution. You can also reduce the amount of cat allergen in the air by cleaning your home regularly and using an air purifier. Also, removing carpets and stuffed animals covered in animal fur and dust can reduce the amount of allergens in your environment.

Not Using Carpet

The home environment with floors such as parquet, which is carpet-free and easy to clean, supports the relief of many allergies such as cat allergies and supports a more peaceful life for people with allergies. Therefore, you can start by removing the carpets.

Space restriction

We know how much you love your cat. However, you need to keep it away from soft areas such as sheets, mattresses, pillows and such. You shouldn’t do this, especially if you sleep together. Soft areas allow allergens to spread faster and attract them like a magnet towards them.

Regular Cat Bath

If you have a pet allergy, you can do a lot to relieve your symptoms. Avoidance is the best approach to prevent the development of an allergic reaction. For example, you should keep the pet out of your bedroom and wash your hands after touching it. You should shampoo your cat every few weeks to remove surface allergens. Bathing your cat with a shampoo that can block out the danger and potentially neutralize the irritant. This is an especially effective approach if you have a long-haired cat.

Feather Care

It is also helpful to ask non-allergic family members to brush your cat several times a week. This will reduce the amount of hair your cat sheds, as well as the Fel d 1 protein in saliva that causes allergy symptoms.

Food Exchange

Another option is to use a special cat food that neutralizes the Fel d 1 protein. This will reduce the active load of Fel d 1 in the cat’s saliva and dander. You can easily complete your cat’s food change with the recommendation of the veterinarian. Although this situation is worrisome for many cat lovers, with the right choices, both you and your cat can have a more peaceful life.