I Got Rid Of My Husband, My Cat Was Allergic!

“You can’t look at a sleeping cat and be tense” Jane Pauley once said. Unless you are allergic to it!!

Symptoms of a pet allergy include;

Coughing and wheezing
Hives or a rash on the chest and face
Red, itchy eyes
Redness of the skin where a cat has scratched, bitten, or licked you
A runny, itchy, stuffy nose
Sneezing
They can even cause breathing difficulties in people with allergic asthma, which can be life-threatening.

You may be surprised to know that;

Up to a third of the UK population believes they have a pet allergies, and cats are among the most common culprits.
Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies.
It’s not actually the fur or hair that’s the real problem most of the time. People with cat allergies are often allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).
Cat saliva is “sticky,” which means it tends to cling and linger on surfaces.
For those with an allergy to cats, allergic reactions may occur even when they’re not directly exposed to cats.
Allergy symptoms may develop in a room where a cat was, even weeks before, or while socializing with people who live with a cat.
You’re also more likely to have a pet allergy if someone else in your family also has one.
Even if you don’t have actual cat allergy symptoms, your cat can still indirectly cause your allergies to flare up. Outside cats can bring in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur.

Managing Cat Allergies

The good news is that it is possible to cure your cat allergies and retrain your immune system to ignore or tolerate pet dander and saliva. With immunotherapy, you can get long-term relief from your cat allergy symptoms and treat your cat allergies by introducing small, gradually increasing doses of the allergen, to your system. Immunotherapy can come at quite a cost however.

For those with mild symptoms, lifestyle changes may be sufficient to reduce your symptoms. These changes may include keeping cats out of the bedroom, washing hands and changing clothes after touching/playing with the cat, and installing special HEPA filters to ensure cat dander doesn’t spread around the home. Keeping windows and doors shut during seasonal allergy seasons and the use of air purifiers to keep living space as allergen-free as possible can really help. Pay special attention to carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture, and other places dust and hair may gather.

In some allergies minimising exposure to other allergens, including pollen and dust mites, can also reduce cat allergy symptoms.

If you get more severe symptoms to your furry friend you may need some medication that is readily available over the counter. Antihistamines and nasal sprays can offer temporary relief. Failing that a Dr can prescribe stronger allergy medications. Getting a diagnosis is crucial to establish the severity of your allergy and the best choice of action. If you would like to learn more about our allergy test that identifies both traditional and molecular allergen components in pet allergies click here.