by Mehak Naeem
If you start sneezing after playing with your cat, or your eyes water and your nose runs continuously, there are chances you might have an allergy to cats. A cat allergy can result in continuous symptoms of allergy, as exposure can occur at work, school, daycare, or other indoor settings, even if a feline is absent.
Cats give numerous allergens – proteins that can result in allergies. These allergens are present on the skin and fur and also in saliva. Every cat produces various allergens. Houses with more than one cat have greater chances of cat allergens. Many characteristics, like the cat’s sex, the length of her hair, and the period she lives indoors, are not linked with cat allergen levels.
Key Takeaways of Allergy to Cats
- If your eye waters, your nose runs, or you sneeze, you may have a cat allergy.
- People with cat allergies have susceptible immune systems.
- The common symptoms of cat allergy include Skin hives or rash, Shortness of breath, coughing, etc.
- A skin-prick test is used to diagnose cat allergies.
Causes:
Around ten percent of the U.S. population suffers from pet allergies, and felines are known to be the most common reason. However, opposite to what you may think, it is not the hair or fur that is the actual issue.
Individuals with cat allergies are sensitive to proteins present in the cat’s urine, saliva, and dried skin flakes (dander). Also, their immune systems are hypersensitive, and their bodies mistake harmful things such as cat dander for dangerous attackers.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of cat allergy can vary from minor to major, contingent upon the degree of exposure to allergens and a person’s sensitivity. These elements also impact how rapidly symptoms grow after exposure. Susceptible individuals can catch symptoms within minutes of interacting with a cat or visiting a place with a cat.
The most common symptoms of allergy to cats are as follows:
- Facial pain from nasal congestion
- Stuffy, runny, or sneezing nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Skin hives or rash
- Shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing
How to Diagnose Cat Allergies?
The most common method to identify an allergy to cats is a skin-prick test. To do this test, a small quantity of cat allergen extract is put on your skin. Afterward, the skin is pricked with a small disinfected probe, allowing the liquid to soak under the skin’s surface. Then, you will be checked for redness and swelling or other reaction indications showing an allergy.
Usually, results become clear within fifteen to twenty minutes. Even if a person is sure that a cat has caused the symptoms, it is better to be tested because various other factors might cause them.
Treatment:
For cat allergies, treatments can differ depending on the symptoms. The allergist can assist in deciding what treatment should be applied for the cat allergy. Nasal symptoms are usually treated with oral antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, or other oral medications.
For eye symptoms, allergists often use antihistamine eye drops. Asthma or respiratory symptoms can be treated with inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids to avoid or treat respiratory symptoms.
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