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A cat allergy can cause symptoms like itching, red eyes, runny nose, and asthma, among others. You may be able to treat your allergy with medication and by reducing your exposure to the allergen.

Nearly a third of Americans with allergies are allergic to cats and dogs. And twice as many people have cat allergies than dog allergies.

Pinpointing the cause of your allergies can be difficult when an animal lives in your home. That’s because homes contain other allergens, such as dust mites, which could cause similar symptoms. It’s important to see an allergist to confirm a pet allergy.

It can be hard to admit that the cat you love is causing health issues. Many people choose to endure symptoms rather than get rid of their pet. If you’re determined to live with Fluffy, you can take steps to minimize the symptoms of your allergy.

Read on to learn about the signs of cat allergies and what you can do to prevent them.

Genetics appear to have a role in the development of allergies, meaning that you’re more likely to experience them if you have family members who are also allergic.

Your immune system makes antibodies to fight off substances that might hurt your body, like bacteria and viruses. In a person who has allergies, the immune system mistakes an allergen for something harmful and starts making antibodies to fight it. This is what causes allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, skin rashes, and asthma.

In the case of cat allergies, allergens can come from your cat’s dander (dead skin), fur, saliva, and even their urine. Breathing in pet dander or coming into contact with these allergens can cause an allergic reaction. Pet allergen particles can be carried on clothes, circulate in the air, settle in furniture and bedding, and stay behind in the environment carried on dust particles.

You don’t have to own a cat to be exposed to the allergen. That’s because it can travel on people’s clothes. Cat allergies may not appear for several days if your sensitivity or allergen levels are low.

Common signs of a cat allergy usually follow shortly after you come in contact with cat dander, saliva, or urine. The cat allergen that over 90 percent of people with cat allergies react to comes from cat saliva and skin. It’s found in higher levels on male cats and is transferred to a cat’s fur during grooming. The allergen can cause swelling and itching of the membranes around your eyes and nose, usually leading to eye inflammation and a stuffy nose. Some people may develop a rash on their face, neck, or upper chest in response to the allergen.

Fatigue is common in untreated allergies, as is an ongoing cough due to postnasal drip. But symptoms such as fevers, chills, nausea, or vomiting should be considered related to an illness rather than allergies.

If you are cat allergic and cat allergens get into your lungs, the allergens can combine with antibodies and cause symptoms. These can include difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. Cat allergies can cause an acute asthma attack and can be a trigger for chronic asthma.

Up to 30 percent of people with asthma can have a severe attack upon coming into contact with a cat. You should talk to your doctor about a treatment plan if your symptoms become disruptive or uncomfortable.

There are two ways to test for any allergy, including to cats: skin testing and blood tests. There are two types of skin allergy tests. A skin prick test and an intradermal skin test. Both tests give fast results and tend to cost less than blood tests.

Certain medications can interfere with skin testing, so talk to your doctor about which test is best for you. Skin testing is usually done by an allergist due to the possibility of severe reactions during testing.

Allergy skin prick test

This test is performed in your doctor’s office so they can observe any reactions.

Using a clean needle, your doctor will prick your skin’s surface (usually on the forearm or back), and deposit a tiny amount of the allergen. You’ll likely be tested for several allergens at the same time. You’ll also be skin pricked with a control solution that has no allergens. Your doctor may number each prick to identify the allergen.

In about 15 to 20 minutes, the skin prick site may become red or swollen. This reaction confirms an allergy to that substance. A positive cat allergy will usually cause a red, itchy bump to the cat allergen. These unpleasant effects generally go away 30 minutes after the test.

Intradermal skin testing

This test is also performed in your doctor’s office so they can observe any reactions.

Possible allergens may be injected under the skin of the forearm or arm. Red, itchy bumps will appear with a positive reaction.

An intradermal test is considered more sensitive for detecting an allergy than a skin prick test, meaning it can be better at showing a positive result when an allergy exists. But it can also have more false positives than the skin prick test. That means it creates a skin reaction when there is no allergy.

Both skin tests have a role in allergy testing. You doctor will explain which testing method is best for you.

Blood test

Some people can’t have skin tests done, often because of an existing skin condition or their age. Young children often have a more difficult time with skin testing. In these cases, the doctor will order a blood test. Blood will be drawn either at the doctor’s office or a laboratory and then sent for testing. The blood is then examined for antibodies to common allergens, such as cat dander. The results take longer, but there is no risk of an allergic reaction during a blood test.

Avoiding the allergen is best, but when that’s not possible, the following treatments may help:

  • antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  • corticosteroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone (Flonase) or mometasone (Nasonex)
  • over-the-counter decongestant sprays
  • cromolyn sodium, which prevents the release of immune system chemicals and may reduce symptoms
  • allergy shots known as immunotherapy (a series of shots that desensitize you to an allergen)
  • leukotriene inhibitors, such as montelukast (Singulair)

Due to the risk of severe mental health side effects, montelukast should only be used when other allergy treatments aren’t available.

Buy Benadryl, Claritin, or Flonase now.

Home remedies

Nasal lavage is a home remedy for symptoms of cat allergies. Salt water (saline) is used to rinse your nasal passages, reducing congestion, postnasal drip, and sneezing. Several over-the-counter brands are available. You can make salt water at home by combining 1/8 teaspoon of table salt with 8 ounces of distilled water.

According to National Institutes of Health, butterbur (an herbal supplement), acupuncture, and probiotics may improve the symptoms of seasonal allergies. However, research is limited. It’s not clear how effective these products would be specifically for pet allergies. Herbal remedies that show potential benefits are those that share a similar action in the body compared to traditional medications.

Shop for butterbur supplements.

Best air purifiers for cat allergies

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are one of the best defenses against cat allergies. They reduce airborne pet allergens by forcing air through a special filter that traps pet dander, as well as pollen, dust mites, and other allergens.

Shop for HEPA air filters.

There is ongoing debate among scientists whether infants who are exposed to animals at a very young age are destined to develop allergies, or if the opposite is true. Recent studies have come to conflicting conclusions. A 2015 study found that exposing infants to cats and dogs at home is associated with a higher risk of developing allergies during the first four years of the child’s life.

On the other hand, a 2011 study found that babies who live with cats, especially during the first year of life, develop antibodies to the pet and were less likely to acquire an allergy later.

A 2017 study found that cats and dogs may provide a benefit by exposing babies to certain healthy bacteria early in life. The study concluded that babies exposed to a cat or dog in the home during pregnancy may have fewer problems with allergies in the future than babies who weren’t exposed.

Your doctor will be able to answer questions you may have about your baby and your cat. For children who are allergic, removing fabric toys and stuffed animals and replacing them with plastic or washable ones may help relieve symptoms.

Avoidance is best to prevent the allergies in the first place. But if you discover you’re allergic to your cat, there are other options than getting rid of your pet. Consider these strategies for reducing your symptoms.

  • Keep the cat out of your bedroom.
  • Wash your hands after touching the cat.
  • Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstered furniture. Wood or tiled flooring and clean walls help reduce allergens.
  • Select throw rugs or furniture covers that can be washed in hot water, and wash them frequently.
  • Cover heating and air-conditioning vents with a dense filtering material such as cheesecloth.
  • Install an air cleaner.
  • Change the filters on air conditioning units and furnaces frequently.
  • Keep the humidity level in your home at around 40 percent.
  • Vacuum weekly with a HEPA filter vacuum.
  • Use a face mask while dusting or cleaning.
  • Recruit a nonallergic person to regularly dust the home and clean the litter box.

If you have a severe cat allergy, talk to your doctor about immunotherapy for a long-term treatment solution.