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A cat allergy is an allergic reaction caused by an intolerance to the secretions in the hair and saliva of cats. An allergy to a cat can vary in severity, ranging from slight watery eyes and runny nose, coughing and sneezing to symptoms of shortness of breath and swelling.
- Cat allergies are not caused by the cat’s hair, as is often mistakenly believed
- The most common respiratory symptoms are allergic reactions to a cat
- To minimize the risk of allergies, clean the apartment frequently, limit the number of carpets, rugs or curtains, and when this is impossible, use materials that are easy to clean.
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Cat allergy – causes
Cat allergy is not caused by the cat’s hair, as is often mistakenly believed, but by the secretion in the cat’s hair and saliva. An allergy to a cat is a reaction of the body to allergens produced by a cat – proteins found in its hair and saliva (a cat licks its fur, additionally, making contact with it has allergy-inducing properties).
Cat allergy is much more common than dog allergy because the composition of cat fur and saliva is different from that of dogs. They contain a protein called Fel d 1, or secretoglobin. This protein is produced in the saliva of the quadruped, which is transferred to the fur, because the cat thus keeps it clean. The protein causing allergic reactions in humans is also produced in the sebaceous glands of the cat, from where it is transferred through the flaking epidermis to the pet’s hair and household appliances. Male cats have more sebaceous glands, and thus a higher allergy induction factor.
Check if you are allergic to the cat. Perform Imutest Allergy 3in1 – cat, mites, grass pollen – home cassette test.
Cats produce another protein with sensitizing properties: Fel d 2, also known as cat serum albumin or 69-kDa. This protein is not as sensitizing as Fel d 1, but it can also cause allergic reactions in some people. It is found in the urine of a cat, so cleaning the litter box, for example, may cause an allergic reaction. The older the animal, the more sensitizing it is produced by the Fel d 2 protein it produces.
Other cat proteins that can cause allergies, are Fel d 3 (nystatin), Fe d 4 (lipocalin), Fel d 5 (immunoglobulin A), Fel d 6w (immunoglobulin M) and Fel d 7 (von Ebner’s gland protein). They cause allergic reactions in a small number of people – the protein Fel d 1 is the most allergenic.
- Also read: “The mere fact of contact with soft fur causes the release of happiness hormones”. Why else is it worth having a cat?
Find out if it is the cat that is causing the adverse reactions in your body. At Medonet Market, buy the Allergy package – diagnostic blood tests.
Symptoms of cat allergy
An allergic reaction to a cat usually produces respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of cat allergy include: runny nose, sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, watery and itchy eyes, swollen eyelids and nasal congestion. Allergic-inducing Fel d 1 particles are small in size and are drawn into the respiratory tract with each inhalation.
Sometimes a cat allergy shows symptoms in the form of skin reactions. There may be itching and reddening of the skin as well as hives. In children, cat allergy can lead to the development of asthma. Untreated cat allergy can lead to chronic sinusitis as nasal discharge is continuously produced.
Do you want to check if you are allergic to a cat, other animals or allergens in the form of pollen, fungi or mites? Order mail order blood tests for inhaled allergies from Medonet Market. Alternatively, you can have a specialized cat allergy only test. Buy Imutest Allergy – Cat – Home Cassette Test. You only wait 15 minutes for the results. We also recommend the Allergy Test – Dog, Cat – Home Cassette Test.
- Also read: A cat is a formidable animal …
How to Treat Cat Allergy?
While the easiest way to treat the symptoms of cat allergy is to get rid of the allergic pet at home, many people are reluctant to part with their pet. An effective method of fighting cat allergy is then frequent cleaning of the apartment, especially those rooms where the cat is most often present. A pet should not be allowed into a bedroom or a child’s room, as long as the child is allergic to the cat. Rugs, carpets and bedspreads should be replaced with materials that are easy to clean – it is recommended to wash them as often as possible.
Cat allergens also settle on cushions and curtains, so it’s important that they are made of easy-to-clean materials. You should wash your hands after each contact with your cat, and it is also good to ventilate the rooms where the cat is to get rid of allergen particles. The cat should be bathed and brushed frequently – the latter care treatment should not of course be performed by a person allergic to a cat. If these methods do not help, serious consideration must be given to donating your pet to someone who is not allergic to it, or opting for desensitization.
Na Allergie – Panaseus dietary supplement, which you can find at an attractive price on Medonet Market, will be helpful in alleviating allergy-related ailments.
Desensitization therapy increases the body’s resistance to a given type of allergen. This involves exposing the body to high doses of the allergen (a person allergic to a cat is given subcutaneous injections of cat proteins). You have a severe allergic reaction, but with time your body gets used to the triggers and your cat allergy symptoms diminish. However, desensitization involves the need to determine exactly to which cat protein a given person is allergic, which means that you must first perform appropriate tests. Desensitization lasts for 3 to 5 years.
At the beginning, the allergy sufferer is injected with a large dose of the allergen 1-2 times a week, then the dose and frequency of injections are reduced.
For allergy symptoms, it is worth using Nettle root, which is used to prepare tea. You can drink it 1-2 times a day after a glass.
A person allergic to a cat may also be given antihistaminesthat block the symptoms of allergy due to the activation of histamine. You can also use topical inhalants (they are applied to the nose). However, such treatment may last a maximum of 10 days, so it will not work if we have a cat at home (allergens will still be present and will cause allergic reactions).
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