Dealing with Cat Allergies Many people are allergic to cats, which really means they are allergic to the dander (loose skin particles, like our dandruff) that cats shed, or to cats’ saliva. But a cat allergy doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t live with a kitty or two. In many cases, even people with cat allergies become accustomed to the cats they have. While they may still be allergic to other cats, they won’t be allergic to their own. Otherwise, in dealing with a cat allergy, a lot depends on how bad the allergy is and what kind of cats you have. But there are also steps you can take to minimize the problem. The “Hypoallergenic Cat” Myth or Fact? According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, A truly hypoallergenic cat does not exist. If you have a cat allergy, your body’s immune system reacts to proteins in the pet’s urine, saliva or dander. Pet hair is not the actual allergen, though it can collect dander, urine and saliva. Very long or thick cat hair may hold more dander, which is where the misconception that the “hair” allergen arises.

The good news is that in many cases, allergies to cat dander can be controlled! The following are some recommendations for allergy sufferers. Get a good vacuum with a HEPA filter and vacuum floors and upholstery frequently. how to use comma aircon cleanerWet swiff or mop floors weekly. do air purifiers release ozoneDeclutter your home, so dust and cat hair don’t accumulate.green clean air vehicle decals Throw a sheet or cover over couches, beds and upholstered furniture; it can be washed frequently and removed for guests. Clean air conditioner filters weekly. Carpets are not great for allergy sufferers, because they hold all sorts of particles. Same for fabric window treatments and curtains. Blinds also hold particles, so take them down and rinse them off on occasion.

Make sure to vacuum out radiators before heat comes on in winter. Get a simple cold-water humidifier for the winter months. Dry winter air in apartments dries out the nasal passages and causes inflammation. Do not use Febreze’s allergen reducer – unfortunately, it seems to cause cats to pee! Get a good air purifier or two – one that specifically says it works on animal dander. Air purifiers can make a huge difference to allergy sufferers, and not just for cat allergies! Bathe them regularly if you can – despite the stereotype, many cats are fine with water, or can learn to accept it. If you can not bathe regularly, you can use hypo-allergenic pet wipes. These wipes help remove the allergen contained in dander. Use ALLERPET for cats on their coats once a week – put it on and brush it off. Most pet stores carry it, and it can be purchased online as well. There are also a number of other anti-allergy products available in pet stores. Brush your cat regularly using a deShedding brush.

Give your cats a teaspoon of flaxseed oil in their wet food once a day. It’ll reduce skin dryness, which cuts down the dander. Feed your cat high quality and nutritionally balanced wet food. This will keep your cats coat healthy and insure that the skin stays well hydrated, thereby reducing dander production and distribution. You (tips from one of our rescuers who suffers from allergies herself!) Take allergy pills like Benedryl at night – they’ll knock you out and reduce histamines the next day. For sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, allergy eye drops really work. They will sting at first, but won’t make you drowsy. A beer will sometimes stop a runny nose—which can calm other allergy symptoms as well. Advil is helpful, since it’s an anti-inflammatory. Ginger and garlic are also natural anti-inflammatories. Try flaxseed oil in your food (salad dressing, soup, etc.). Cut down on sugar, which triggers inflammation. Visit an allergist and see if they can give you injections.

Stay hydrated, especially in winter. Here are a couple of sites with more info on allergies and how to deal with them: Cat Allergy Guide, Allergies Health Center (WebMD) Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Are You Allergic to Cats or Dogs What is the Difference Between Cat Hair and Cat FurAirPure 2 air purifier Validity of the seal: valid Respiratory allergy, Pet hair allergy, Pollen allergy, Dust mite allergy With four distinctive purification stages, AirPure 2 Air Purifier has an air purifying efficiency of up to 99.97%. It has five speed levels and standby function of up to eight hours. Does not use UV light (UV has a proven negative effect on health) and does not emit ozone (also harmful to health).Removes all particulates including airborne bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Bacilli, Flavobacterium and Streptomyces; mould spores, human and pet hair; tobacco smoke, oil smoke and smoke from synthetic materials; coal dust, grain dust, dust mites, atmospheric dust etc.

All product information has been provided to us by the manufacturer. For the correctness of the content of the manufacturer is responsible.Cat allergy is by far the commonest allergy to pet animals and up to 40% of asthmatics are sensitive to cats. The cat allergen is much more likely to cause sensitisation than that of the dog. A tiny protein particle, the "Fel d 1" allergen is found mainly in the cat skin flakes and saliva. The protein is produced in the cat salivary glands and sebaceous glands of the skin. Cats are fastidious groomers, so they deposit the Fel d 1 protein on their fur by licking themselves. An allergen is a material, which is capable of provoking an allergic reaction, such as pollen grain, dust mite or animal dander. Cat allergen — the allergy causing material from cats – is not cat hair but a protein present in the dander andThe allergens become airborne as microscopic particles, which when inhaled into the nose or lungs, can produce allergic symptoms.

Although individual cats may produce more or less allergen, there is no relationship between the pet’s hair length and allergen production, and no such thing as Male cats are more allergic than female cats, because testerone increases Fel d 1 production by the sebaceous glands. Where is Cat Allergen found? Cat allergen is present in largest amounts in homes with cats, but has also been found in homes where cats have never been present and in offices or public spaces where animals are not allowed. Cat allergen is particularly sticky and is carried on clothing from places with cats to other locations. It is almost impossible to not be exposed to some level of cat allergen. Of course, levels of exposure will be much higher where cats are present, and these levels are more likely to cause Because cat allergen particles are particularly small (1/10 the size of dust mite allergen), they remain airborne for prolonged periods of time.

are more likely to have a rapid onset of symptoms when entering a room with cats, because there is always allergen, which is airborne and can be easily inhaled. windows, using exhaust fans and using high efficiency air cleaners, can decrease the amount of airborne allergen. Soft furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and mattresses, will hold cat allergen even after a cat has been removed from the home or banished from the bedroom. has been shown that it can take as long as 20 weeks for levels of allergen in carpets to decrease to levels found in a home without a cat, and up to 5 years for cat allergen levels in mattresses to decrease to such levels. Removal or treatment of the carpet or sofa, and encasing of the mattress, will reduce the continued exposure to these Cat allergen is also found on vertical surfaces such as walls. cat allergen exposure in a home should include wall cleaning. If the cat is removed to a restricted area of the home, it is important to realise that airflow through

the duct system in a hot air heated home could spread the allergen. and furnace filters could help trap the allergens and reduce the spread. Manifestations of Cat Allergy Immediate rhinoconjunctivitis and wheezing on entering the room with a cat. is the most easily recognised feature of cat allergy. Delayed- type reaction presents after cat exposure or persisting for weeks after. It is important to know that with all allergic reaction there is an immediate (occurring within 1 hour) and a delayed (occurring 2-4 hours) later. In cat allergy the immediate reaction might be subclinical and only the delayed reaction is clinical. might notice worsening of their asthma the day following a visit to their relation who has a cat. Chronic Severe Unstable Asthma Many patients do not get acute flare up of their asthma with cat exposure and they assume that they are not allergic to their cat. In this situation there is ongoing chronic inflammation in the lung due to ongoing cat exposure.

Hives at the site where the individual comes in contact with cat fur or saliva. Worsening of Atopic Eczema Cat allergen is a common trigger Patients with a "permanent cold" could be reacting to their cat. What can be done to help Cat Allergy? Daily grooming will help remove loose hair and dander Bathe the cat weekly with plain water (reported to be better than soap and water) as this has been shown to remove much of their surface allergen, and significantly reduces the amount of future cat allergen produced. It is not necessary to submerge the cat or to use detergent. Simply place the cat in the sink, and pour a pitcher of comfortable temperature water over its body. Washing should be done weekly for three weeks, then at 2-3 week intervals. usually do not mind getting washed. Mature cats should be gradually "conditioned" Avoid anything (fleas, mites) that will cause your cat to scratch, since this is where dander comes from

Cats should be restricted to as few rooms in the home as possible. Cat dander settles onto carpets and soft furnishings, which act as a reservoir for the allergen, releasing it back into the air when touched. If carpeting cannot be removed, a denaturant solution of 3% tannic acid can be applied after the pet has been restricted to another room Install HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter cleaner in as many rooms as possible, starting with the bedroom. Air cleaners of this type can reduce the level of airborne cat allergen by about 50%. It is important to place the unit away from furnishings and not directly on the carpet so as not to disturb settled allergen. Vinyl or hardwood floors instead of carpets & minimise upholstered furnitureHEPA vacuum all fleecy surfaces including carpets. Mattresses and pillows are also a reservoir for cat allergen and should be encased If possible, keep the cat out of doors all or some of the time, or limit it to a

single area of the house.Very insulated, "energy efficient" homes actually trap animal dander inside. Opening windows and using exhaust fans can help increase air exchange and decrease air borne allergen. Keep the bedroom cat-free at all times — no exceptions Vacuum carpets with HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner. This will reduce the allergens by up to 90% over standard vacuum cleaners. Wear a dust mask when vacuuming. The exhaust from a standard vacuum cleaner will stir up the allergens. while the allergic person is away from home. Consider using a damp mop to clean the walls & furniture Air the house as often as is possible. Do not assume, that because you do not get acute flare-up of your allergy when exposed to your cat that it is not causing chronic, ongoing inflammation. Have a skin prick test to find out. Wash hands after touching the pet, and change clothing after contact with the pet. Use a facemask when brushing, cleaning or changing the kitty litter.