Cat Allergy

A cat allergy can be a real problem if you love cats. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help reduce the severity of your cat allergy.

Most people believe that it’s the fur of the cat that causes an allergic reaction. However, studies have proven this is not the case. The flakes of cat skin, which are also known as dander, are the main cause of watery eyes and irritated skin. On those rare occasions when skin flakes are not the cause of a cat allergy, then the next most likely cause is the cat’s saliva. However, this happens only in rare cases.

As with other allergic reactions, the symptoms are in response to the generation of histamine. This chemical substance is released by the immune system in response to the cat skin flakes, which are interpreted as a danger to the system. With the release of the histamine, allergy sufferers begin to experience itchy skin, watery eyes and stuffed nose. The respiratory tract can be affected, too.

So what can you do to help reduce these symptoms to your cat allergy?

First of all, as with other allergies, the best solution is to eliminate the cause of the allergy. In the case of a cat allergy, it means moving the cat out of your home. If this isn’t possible, then try to minimize your time with you cat, and make certain he never sleeps or spends time on your bed (you don’t want to be sleeping with your cat’s skin flakes).

Next, you should consider using air filters. Placed strategically around your home, air filters can significantly alleviate the severity of your cat allergy. These filters continually remove the allergens from the air circulating throughout your house. Take note, though, that some air filters are better than others, so take the time to shop carefully.

Another step that can help provide some relief is to regulary bathe your cat. It can also be helpful to keep the cat restricted to a specific room or area of the house that will help minimize your exposure to the cat’s skin flakes.

Finally, you can accept your cat allergy and focus on treating your symptoms. This will most often involve the use of antihistimines, descongestants, and possibly corticosteroids. Allergy medication with antihistamines and decongestants can be quite effective, however, these medication have the potential to interact with other medications taken for other medical problems.

Always consult with your doctor before taking any over the counter antihistamine or decongestant medications. If you have other health problems, you should also talk to your doctor to be sure what allergy medications are safe for you.