How to cope with cat allergy

Articles — 30 October 2010

Pet lovers all over the world enjoy the companionship provided by cats. These wonderful animals provide warmth and friendship to their owners all the time. However, cat allergy is one unpleasant condition that can happen when cats are kept as pets. Cats always prowl around the house especially at night when they’re hunting but they often find a special spot to stay. Unfortunately for some people just being near cats can produce an allergic reaction even for a short period of time.Cat allergy occurs when people react to any of four allergens carried by cats in their bodies. In fact, cats can produce as much as 5 allergens through their sebaceous glands and Fel d 4, found in their saliva.A person with cat allergy reacts to these allergens by exhbiting symptoms such as red itchy eyes, coughing, itching, nasal congestion, rash, sneezing ,tightening of chest, swollen feet and hands and more. Some inidviduals are plain sensitive to cats even if the cats are just merely around them.

The best way to prevent cat allergy is to simply keep other pets such as dogs. A way to lessen incidence of cat allergy would be to wash hands after touching a cat. Never touch cat’s eyes or mouth since these secrete allergens.The home can possibly increase cat allergy incidence especially if there are carpets, rugs and draperies that trap cat dander. Try to vacuum, use an air filter that has HEPA or simply not use heavy fabrics or materials inside the house.Never let the cats go inside the bedroom or other rooms where they can hang around for hours. Another smart way to reduce cat allergy would be to groom your cats and provide them quality cat food so their coat is clean and dander-free. A well-groomed cat is not just healthy and clean, cat allergy is also managed.

People can effectively cope with cat allergy by taking antihistamines once symptoms begin. Also, cat owners can avail of a treatment known as immunotherapy which can make one immune to cat allergy. A practical approach in keeping pet cats is to only keep short-haired cats so less hair and dander is produced in the air. Taking care of cats as pets is not really a problem even if humans have cat allergy. The most important aspect is how to manage and control cat allergy so life for both pet and humans are healthier.