Understanding Cat Allergies | Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

So, why can cats cause such severe allergies to the human body? People with cat allergies normally have very sensitive immune systems.

Why allergies caused by cats

Cat hair, fur and claws are the major problems. They contain a lot of viruses and bacteria, which could affect human health.

Feline allergy symptoms include fever, sneezing, runny nose and skin rash are very common reactions showing that the body is fighting against allergens.

Even if you are not allergic to cat hair, cells and dander on the cat skin are still the factor causing allergies problems.

Besides cat dander, outdoor cats can also track in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur, increasing alerts on allergy symptoms

Could hairless cat breeds cause allergies?

Sphynx, Orientals and Peterbalds cats are assumed not to cause any allergic symptoms than other breeds, because they don’t have much hair, as it’s difficult to carry allergens from outside into the house. However, there are still people allergic to hairless cats.

Allergic reactions to cats symptoms

Coughing and wheezing
Hives or rash
Red, itchy eyes
Red spots on the skin where the cat has scratched, bitten, or licked
Runny, itchy, stuffy nose
Sneezing

Depending on each individual’s health, people allergic to cats could react differently, from mild to severe; could occur within minutes of exposure or take several hours to appear.

Asthma and cat allergy is dangerous, about 20% to 30% of patients have asthma attacks immediately after being exposed to a cat.

Cat allergy treatment

Although the feline allergy symptoms may seem obvious, cats are not always the cause of these allergic reactions. But to be sure, you should take a cat allergy test for humans, including a skin or blood test, to verify if your body is allergic.

Another simple way to see if you have cat allergies, try living without cats for a few months to check conditions of these cat allergy symptoms

Medicines for cat allergies

Cat allergy treatment for humans includes over-the-counter antihistamines, for example: cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin) and azelastine (Astelin)… normally ingredients of nasal spray forms.

Decongestants, for example pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), or allergy medications that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Allegra-D, Claritin-D, or Zyrtec-D

Steroid nasal sprays to avoid allergy or asthma symptoms in different ways; steroid nasal sprays are a common treatment for allergies. Budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone (Flonase), and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR) are available over-the-counter sprays, as you can buy these in any drug store!

Or check out a few natural remedies for cat allergies, which should be used at home!

Living with cat allergies

The best way to avoid cat allergies is to avoid contact with cats (sorry to all of cat-lovers).

People with strong cat allergies should not pet, kiss, hug or make any close contact with cats. Some cat lovers still think that little contact with cats should work to avoid the problem! However, once allergic, no matter how little or how much, patients will definitely get different cat allergy problems, including itchy eyes, rash and even worse, short breath.
People with strong allergies should also avoid contact with people who have cats, they are more likely to have cat hair on their clothes and furniture, as the passive contact which can cause cat hair allergy problems.
If you still love cat but also have cat allergy, you should let the cats sleep in another room and not have close contact with you when sleeping.
Taking anti-allergy medication regularly, to prevent irritation and skin rash might work.
Keep your distance, limit contact with your cat, including cleaning the litter box, changing food…
Limit your cat’s access to certain areas of the house.
Keep your cat in a clean, well-ventilated area, ideally outdoors, as the best way to avoid cat allergies. However, make sure the garden is fenced in, so your cats are safe outside.
Clean litter box regularly as well as vacuuming to avoid cat fur in the house. Also, you should sweep, mop the floors, vacuum the carpets, and dust the furniture regularly.
Have a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, to remove allergens.
Use different types of rugs and curtains, as the cotton ones are prone to fur buildup.
Clean the air with an air purifier, as well as filters on vents – to avoid too much cat fur in the house.
Bath your cat regularly to remove allergens, but always remember to keep your cat warm!
Use a mask while dusting or cleaning the house.

Before welcoming a cat into your home, it’s wise to consider every member’s problems and allergies. Having a cat is joyful, but managing allergies is crucial for a comfortable living environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cat hair harmful?

Cat hair can have a very negative impact on pregnant women and fetuses; it contains Toxoplasmosis bacteria, found in feces and hair. When infected with this bacteria, pregnant women will easily have headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes along with other symptoms similar to the flu. Withh young children, cat hair can cause skin allergies, rashes, headaches, stomachaches and diarrhea.

Is cat hair in the lungs dangerous?

Children with cat hair allergies often have more severe symptoms, especially when cat hair enters the lungs. Cat hairs are small and light, fly in the air, stick to clothes, beds, sofas and are very difficult to remove completely. When cat hair is inhaled and flies into the lungs, it is very likely that the hair will cause irritation, swelling of the respiratory tract and acute allergies, which could be severe.

Is there a hypoallergenic cat?

No cat breed is truly hypoallergenic. Even hairless cats, like Sphynx, produce dander – tiny flakes of dead skin cells. Thedander contains protein, which’s the main cause of cat allergies in humans.