Being allergic doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have a pet or that you must give up the one you already have. You can solve this problem by learning more about minimizing pet-related allergies and making some minor adjustments. Allergic reactions are caused by allergens–substances usually invisible to the human eye. The allergens your pet carries are associated with its skin, hair follicles and saliva. Dander–a naturally-occurring combination of skin cells and saliva that the pet is continually shedding–is most often the cause of pet allergies. It is the protein of this dander that causes the reactions. Dander imbeds itself in the carpeting, furniture and draperies and remains in the environment to cause reactions. “Feld I”, the cat allergen, is the major cause of allergic reactions to cats. During a cat’s self-cleaning process, Feld I protein in the saliva is deposited on the fur. It is also produced by sebaceous glands–the skin glands that secrete the oils that keep the skin and hair sleek and shiny.

Male cats usually produce more allergen than females. Proteins in the urine of cats will also trigger allergic reactions. Some animals seem more tolerable than others because they shed fewer allergens. Unfortunately, there are no non-allergic animals. It is also true that the length of hair does not alter the animal’s allergen level. Within any given breed, or even litter, you may find animals that you can tolerate better than others. Allergies are usually cumulative. Since the allergic person is sensitive to more than one thing, it is the Total Allergen Level that causes a reaction. Whether or not a person has symptoms depends on how many allergens are in the environment at the same time. An individual who is allergic to animals may exhibit no noticeable symptoms when the total exposure is below his allergy threshold level. The trouble begins when there are enough allergens in the environment to exceed this level. The goal is to minimize exposure to airborne allergens that exceed tolerance thresholds and trigger attacks.

Sorry, this is a small price to pay for allergy relief. If you get your symptoms under control by all means invite them back, but give yourself a break while you are trying to abate your symptoms. Close the bedroom door to try and keep the cat allergen down in the bedroom. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from allergens. So tempt your cats to sleep elsewhere during the day. This eliminates both dust mite and cat allergen (because we know some of you will still let them sneak up on the bed every now and then). Since cat allergen is so difficult to remove, a good HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifier is essential for cleaning the air in your home. HEPA air purifiers do require continued filter replacement, but when push comes to shove and you are in need of allergy relief, a good HEPA filter will do it for you. Vacuum walls, carpet, flooring, chairs, and furniture…everywhere. Use the hand tools on the vacuum. Cat allergen particles are very small and invasive so you really have to do a thorough job.

Good hand tools on your vacuum cleaner are the answer here. Also, installing a central vacuum will help pick up the rest. In addition to vacuuming, vapor steam cleaners are now proven by research to be extremely helpful in killing off the cat proteins/dander, which are embedded in your carpets and upholstery. 14 inch chrome air cleanerSteam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen.car headlight cleaner reviews Wash immediately after petting your cat and do not rub your eyes. very best air purifierRubbing your eyes can result in itchy eyes for hours. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to avoid this problem. Allerpet, a well-known brand of liquid that reduces cat allergen in the air, can be applied to your cats’ coat and is available from your local veterinarian.

Alternatively, you can get a micro fiber cloth and just damp rub down the cats’ coats to rid it of visible dander. I know this will be difficult for some people but this at least controls the cat allergens to a separate place where you can concentrate your air purifier and cleaning efforts.Dealing with Cat AllergiesYou love animals. A few years ago you fell in love with the sweetest kitten at the local animal shelter. She has been a member of your family for all this time. Now you or someone in your home has developed an allergic reaction to pet dander. The doctor says the cat has got to go. There has to be an alternative solution, right?While saying good-bye to your feline friend may be the end result, there are some things that you may be able to try first. Understanding the allergy a bit more is a helpful start. Many people believe that cat hair is the problem, but, according to WebMD, it is actually a protein found in cat saliva, urine and dry skin (dander). Some immune systems react to this harmless protein as if it were any other viral or bacterial infection.

The key for the allergic person is to avoid the 3 things mentioned as much as possible. One, they should not let the cat lick them. Two, this individual has a valid reason to get out of cleaning the litter box (or wear a face mask and gloves if this is unavoidable). The third one is the most difficult to avoid because dander can be anywhere: on the furniture, on clothes, on the floor, in the air, etc.There are a number of ways to minimize the amount of dander in your home. The best thing to do is clean. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. This type of filter will trap pet dander rather than send it back into the air. There are also HEPA air purifiers that will remove pet dander and other allergens from the air as it circulates through the purifier.Other things to do include keeping the cat out of the bedroom! If the cat has previously had access to this room, clean the room thoroughly, then keep the door shut. Wash your hands after petting the cat, and do not touch your eyes. Keeping your cat cleaned and brushed will also help reduce the amount of dander in the air.