Managing those Claw-Ful Cat Allergies
Cat allergies are one of the most common allergies among household pets. Did you know that people are twice as likely to develop allergic reactions to cats than dogs? But before we start judging our little feline friends for being dirtier than other pets, let's debunk that myth immediately. Cats are purrr-fectly clean animals. In fact, they naturally spend more time grooming themselves and one another than other animals and household pets.
What Causes Cat Allergies?
Most times, your allergy flare-up is not caused by their fur itself, but rather what is carried on their fur. If you have an allergy attack around cats, it's usually caused by cat dander and saliva. On their dander and saliva are large protein molecules that cats naturally produce and hold in their fur. These protein molecules are so durable that they can end up staying airborne for hours, regardless of whether you are indoors or outdoors.
Signs You May Be Allergic
Suppose you're suspicious that you or a family member might be experiencing allergies towards your little furry friend. In that case, there are ways for you to tell. An allergy to cats is very similar to your body's immune reaction during seasonal allergies or hay fever. When you are exposed to cat dander, it tends to trigger allergies relatively fast. Within seconds of coming into contact with a feline or entering their living environment, you will begin experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms
- Sneezing
- Nasal Congestion/Sinus Pressure over Cheeks
- Irritated Nose
- Itchy/Watery Eyes
- Swollen/Inflammed Eyelids
- Redness in Eyes
- Itchy/Dry Throat
- Scratchy/Dry Mouth
- Irritated/Itchy skin (typically after contact)
- Hives (a common reaction to different types of allergies)
The best way to tell if your kitty is the culprit for your sudden sneezing is to notice when the symptoms are triggered. So let's paws for a meow-ment and think about right before you start feeling some of the symptoms listed above. Were you making a new furry friend or perhaps visiting a new home that might have cats that could have triggered you? Then take this information and see if there is any correlation.
Another thing that's very im-purr-tant to note about symptoms of cat allergies is people who suffer from asthma may be at a higher risk. If asthmatics are also allergic to cats, their symptoms may differ from those listed above. Cats could potentially trigger breathing issues, wheezing, pain in the chest, and even sleep apnea caused by shortness of breath at night.
Managing Allergy Flare-Ups
Whether you are already diagnosed with allergies or are worried you might have them, there are options for managing flare-ups. It's best to limit your contact with cats when it is possible. That is, of course, if you are not the owner of a kitten yourself. If you realize your allergies after your loving buddy has already entered the house, and you want to learn how to manage symptoms, here are a few tips
Allergy Medication
There are many different types of allergy medications available that can help with your flare-up. Some common over-the-counter options for overreactive immune responses are Zyrtec and Allegra. You can also speak with your doctor about potentially being tested for allergy triggers, and they will also be able to make more suggestions. The most popular medication options include antihistamines and decongestants that help combat your immune system's overreactive response.
Regularly Grooming Your Cat
Using a product like the cat-tastic PlayPaw Cat Grooming Pro to consistently groom your cat can really help manage the hair that ends up shedding around the house. By doing this, you will have better control over how much of the environment is covered in allergens.
Removing Hair From Around the House
Another way to help manage dander floating around your home is to keep up with cleaning. Take the time to remove pet hair from around the house regularly. This, along with grooming your cat, will greatly bring down the levels of allergens that have the opportunity to trigger flare-ups. Aside from vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping floors, don't forget to clean furniture. The PlayPaw Cat Hair Eliminator was made just to help you keep your home pet hair free and manage those pesky allergies.
Remember, with effort and the right catitude, anything is pawsible, especially when managing your cat allergies.
