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Cat Hair Allergy Symptoms

Cats > Allergies > Cat Hair Allergy Symptoms

also see Cat Allergy Remedies

also see Cats Alllergies

also see Cat Allergy Symptoms

also see Cat Allergies

also see Feline Allergy

also see Q&A Best Ways to Remove Pet Hair from Furniture

Pet owners often complain about cat hair allergy. People are not actually allergic to cat hair, but to a protein in cat dander and saliva. A person that is allergic to cats develops histamines in excess, and this will lead to several unpleasant symptoms.

Cat Allergy Symptoms

Cat dander allergy causes symptoms which include:

Watery eyes; the eyes are red, irritated and itchy
Constant sneezing
Itchy nose
Nasal congestion
Coughing
Itchy, irritated skin
Skin rashes
Wheezing, in some cases, people with more severe allergies will have difficulty breathing
Swollen feet and hands
Sore throat; the allergic person may also have a scratchy throat

If you notice any of these symptoms in the presence of a cat, it means that you have an allergy and you need to seek treatment to ease the symptoms. The symptoms may be harsh or less severe, depending on how sensitive you are to the cat.

Cat Allergy Treatment Options

Cat allergies may be controlled with medication, such as antihistamines, or allergy shots. Allergy shots are an injection of allergens which helps to develop immunity to cat dander over time.

Reducing Cat Dander Allergy Reactions

The best way to reduce cat dander allergy reactions is to limit your exposure to cats. However, if you are a cat owner, this is less likely to happen, so you need to look for different tactics.

Bathe your cat once a week to reduce your allergic reactions. By bathing, you will remove the cat dander and hair, and these will not land on your furniture or clothes. Cats don’t like baths, because they lick and clean themselves, so you might not succeed bathing your cat. Instead of a bath, use a damp cloth and massage your cat, thus removing the dirt, dander and loose hair. Do this 2 to 3 times per week. Wash your hands after each bath or every time you play with the cat.
Groom your cat on a regular basis.
Cleaning your home will reduce your allergic reactions. Vacuum every corner of the house and on the carpets and pillows, as these are perfect places to accumulate cat hair and dander. Use air purifiers to clean the air.
Try keeping your cat out of your bedroom. If the cat does not have access in your bedroom, this will be more of an allergy free zone. Keep the room locked during the day.
If cats cause allergic reactions in you, you may still own a cat, but make sure you control your allergies.

Hairless cats produce the same reactions in sensitive people, because they still produce dander, so it's wrong to think that hairless breeds are better for people with cat allergies.