Allergic to Cats? Try These Tips To Control Your Symptoms

So, what are cat allergies, and what exactly is happening in your body when you experience them? In general, allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance. In the case of cats, proteins from their dander (tiny dead skin flakes) and oil glands are the foreign substances, and some people’s bodies react abnormally to them.

Cats have allergens in their saliva and skin (and, less commonly, urine), the most common one called Fel d1. It’s produced in their glands, and when cats groom themselves, it gets on their fur. Then, when humans come into contact with it—whether it’s on the cat themselves or just their shed fur and skin dander in their environment—that’s where allergic reactions start.

Inside your body, your immune system is producing antibodies against something it believes is harmful (even if the substance isn’t actually harmful), leading to symptoms like sneezing, itching, and watery eyes as it tries to rid the body of the allergen.

Studies find that allergies to cats are more common and potentially more severe than allergies to dogs. Interestingly, male cats produce more of the allergen than female cats, and the amount of allergen produced can vary between cats of the same breed and age.

Also, cat allergen is very light and detectable in the air, even in undisturbed rooms. People with cat allergies can usually detect a cat being present in a home before actually seeing the cat.

The following are common cat allergy symptoms. Eye-related symptoms tend to happen before other symptoms:

• Itchy eyes
• Swollen eyes
• Redness of eyes
• Clear, watery drainage from eyes
• Skin rashes
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy skin
• Hives and eczema

Less commonly, more serious breathing issues—including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath—can occur. It’s estimated that 20–30% of asthmatic patients have worsening symptoms with cat exposure.

Anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, is also rare for cat allergies, but it can occur.

Generally, people with cat allergies have reactions and symptoms fairly quickly once they’ve been exposed to a cat. Even before visiting the doctor, many people who haven’t been officially diagnosed suspect that they are likely allergic to cats due to their experience. They notice that their symptoms worsen when they’re around a cat and then improve when they leave the location of the cat.

Allergists—doctors who specialize in treating allergies—can test for cat allergies in various ways. The most common form of allergy testing is called a skin test. A purified cat allergen (Fel d1) is suspended in a liquid and is scratched underneath the surface of the skin. The scratch itself doesn’t hurt and only takes a second for placement.

Over the next 20 to 30 minutes, there may be a local reaction to the allergen, resulting in a “wheal and flare,” or essentially what looks and feels like a mosquito bite—think red, itchy, and a bit swollen. Then, the reaction is recorded and anti-itch cream is applied.

The other option is blood work. Allergists can look for the IgE receptor to cat allergen in the blood. The blood test has improved over the years, but most allergists prefer the skin test.

When you have a cat allergy, it’s important to keep your surroundings as clean as possible to reduce allergen levels. This can include:

• Eliminating carpet and replacing it with smooth flooring that won’t trap as many pet allergens
• Improving the air ventilation in your home, whether it’s by using a high-quality furnace air filter, such as a HEPA filter, and changing it frequently, or by purchasing an air purifier
• Vacuuming your floors regularly
• Avoid “dry” cleaning with brooms and feather dusters that can sweep cat allergens back into the air. Use wet supplies like damp cloths and mops, and statically charged products to trap and remove allergens instead.
• Wash your bedding, clothing, and your cat’s bed at high temperatures to help remove allergens.

Although cats instinctually bathe themselves, you can remove some of the saliva from their fur by aiding them in cleaning.

A weekly bath can reduce your cat’s allergen concentration by up to 84 percent. Try to train your cat to allow baths about once a week with hypoallergenic shampoo like DermAllay™, or use cat grooming wipes, which can reduce the spread of their hair and cat dander.

In addition, frequent brushing of the undercoat with a deshedding tool like FURminator® is beneficial so less hair and dander is shed around the house.

Also, try to avoid being licked by your cat, since this will apply the allergen directly to your skin.

Did you know? The highest concentration of allergens is found on a cat’s face and neck due to there being more oil glands in those areas. You may want to avoid touching your cat’s face and neck, and be aware that they can transfer the allergen to you when they rub their face against you or your clothes.

If you do make direct contact with a cat’s fur, allergists recommend washing your hands after petting the cat and before touching your nose or eyes.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t already, have your cat spayed or neutered. Allergen levels decrease after these procedures, and there are multiple medical and behavioral benefits to spaying or neutering your cat.

Did you know there’s a commercial diet for cats that can help reduce cat allergens? Purina® Pro Plan® LiveClear™ cat food works by neutralizing the Fel d1 in cats’ saliva, which in turn reduces the spread of the allergen.

Veterinarians believe that this is not a complete fix, but even if it reduces allergen exposure and symptoms of cat allergies slightly, it can be helpful to you—without having any known side effects for your cat, as it is a complete and balanced diet.

Allergists stress that any degree of separation from cats can be beneficial if you’re an allergy sufferer, so set some boundaries around your personal space. For example, make your bedroom and/or home office off-limits to your cat so you’re exposed to fewer allergens while you sleep or work.

Allergy relief medications—such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, decongestants, and eye drops—as recommended by an allergist, can be effective. They could be over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor.

The best medicine for you will depend on where your symptoms are generally located. Immunotherapy, or regular allergy shots, can make you feel better too. Talk to your doctor about which solutions are best for you.

For further guidance and tips, make an appointment to see an allergist—one who treats humans, that is. They may suggest immunotherapy, medications, and other recommended treatments that can reduce your symptoms.

Allergists generally don’t recommend removing a pet from a home if someone is experiencing allergies, since allergic reactions can be mitigated with treatment. In the case of those who do experience significant or even potentially fatal asthmatic or anaphylactic reactions, a doctor may recommend that the pet be removed from the home, but it’s fairly uncommon.

If you do choose to remove the cat from the house or move into a house that formerly had a cat, be aware that it can take four to six months for pet dander to fully dissipate in the home.