Cat Allergy Symptoms

While that cute little kitten might be adorable, cat allergy symptoms are very common among a large number of people. The simple fact is that millions of people are allergic to cats with symptoms that range from mild such as watery eyes to severe such as anaphylactic shock that can result in death. No matter how mild the symptoms are, they should not be taken lightly as they can develop over time into something far more serious.

Ten percent of the population has pet allergies and cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. They can develop in anyone and at any age in their life. They are more common, however, in those whose parents also suffer from allergies. Most people who suffer from cat allergy symptoms also suffer from other allergies such as pollen allergy or mold allergy. It is extremely common to be allergic to more than one kind of airborne allergen.

Identifying Cat Allergy Symptoms

To directly identify if you are suffering from cat allergies, your doctor or allergists can conduct a skin test and pinpoint your allergies. Sometimes it may not even be that you are allergic to your cat, but perhaps the litter you are using or various other things. Therefore, it is important to identify the very reason for your allergic reaction.

As many cat allergy symptoms mirror those of most other allergies, it is important to identify your personal allergies and the cause of your symptoms. The following symptoms are common with cat allergies;

• Eyes: redness, itching, swelling and watery
• Throat: post-nasal drip, itching, hoarseness and a need to clear your throat often
• Skin: itchy rash, welts, or hives
• Ear: itching, popping of the ears and plugging up
• Nose: congestion, sneezing and itching
• Lungs: wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, bronchitis, and shortness of breath

The most severe symptoms include swelling of the throat; this can lead to severe breathing difficulty that requires immediate medical attention.

Causes of Cat Allergies

There are five cat allergens that have been noted in getting a reaction from those who suffer from cat allergies and they include;

• Two major Allergens
• Secretoglobin (Fel d 1); is a protein produced by cat saliva.
• Lipocalin (Fel d 4); a protein found in cat urine.
• Three minor allergens
• Albumin (Fel d 2); the main protein of plasma.
• Cystatin (Fel d 3); a protease inhibitor.
• Cat IgA; an antibody that plays an important role in mucosal immunity.

These are the proteins in the cat that demonstrates an irritability and reaction in our immune system. These are the proteins found in the cat’s saliva, urine and dander that cause us cat allergy symptoms.

Once we inhale these proteins, (normally transmitted by air), our body mistakes these harmless things for a dangerous intruder. They attack these invaders just as they would bacteria or viruses; our symptoms are the side effects of that attack.

Solutions to Your Cat Allergy Symptoms

Researchers have found that there are some cats that shed lower levels of allergens. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which cats they are. There is not a certain breed that is less likely to cause a reaction. From personal experience I have noted that cats with fluffier fur, such as that of a Persian, gave me more serious allergy symptoms than shorter haired cats, although this was not scientifically proven.

Cat allergy symptoms can be controlled with standard pet allergy avoidance principles. The following suggestions is part of a short list. Often, it takes several approaches to be able to live symptoms free.

• Click here for these Pet Control Products.
  • Allerpet C for cats: helps to remove the cat allergen.
  • Allersearch ADMS Spray: destroys allergens on contact.
  • Pet Shampoo.
  • An air purifier specifically for pet owners.
  • Cat Litter Freshener.
• Decongestants: This will relieve nasal decongestion.
• Antihistamines: Helps to treat your cat allergy symptoms.
• Nasal steroid spray: Reduces the reaction of the nasal tissues to inhaled allergens.
• Immunotherapy or allergy shots.
• Spray or Neuter your cat: It has been found that the sebum produced by a cat is highest in unneutered cats.
• Treat your other allergies: When you treat your other allergies, if you have any, you reduce the effects that cat dander will have on your system. Allergens have an accumulative affect on the body.
• Treat your animals: People are not as allergic to their cats as they are the dander. Cleansing your animal with a special pet shampoo that is designed to reduce the airborne allergens in animals will lesson your chances of getting symptoms.
• Vacuum with a HEPA filter: Be sure to vacuum your home with a HEPA filter once every week to eliminate pet dander from lingering on floors and in the air.
• Dust with a wet rag: this will eliminate the dander from being thrown through the air.
• Air purifiers: Add air purifiers, with a HEPA filter, to each room in your home. This will help tremendously in cleaning the air you breathe.
• Keep your hands clean: Wash your hands every time you touch or pet a cat.
• Beware of pet owners: If you are overly sensitive to cats be aware of cat owners that you know as even the dander on their clothes can cause an allergic reaction.
• Restrict your cat: Restrict your cat from at least one room in your house, presumably your bedroom.

The more you can do to eliminate any sources of dander in your home, the lower your risk of having an allergic reaction is going to be. The key to allergies, (and in this case, cat allergy symptoms) is to prevent the allergic reaction from occurring in the first place. This is the healthier and more natural approach over using medication that simply tries to cover over and/or suppress the symptoms.

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