cat allergy symptoms

cat allergy symptoms questions and answers

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Q: How can I reduce my cat allergy symptoms?
I myself do not have a cat, however, I have a friend that I visit frequently and she has two. I seem to only have the allergic reaction when I am in her house. I have other friends with cats, and as long as I don't touch them I am fine. What could be different about her house? It's so bad that 5 minutes from walking in the door I can feel my throat getting scratchy, itchy, red, watery eyes etc. Is there anything I can take in order to reduce these symptoms? Claritin and Benadryl showed no relief. Even vacuuming right before I came didn't help!

A: People that are allergic to animals are often allergic to the dander (dead skin that is continually shed), the saliva, or the urine. Remember this basic fact about cat allergens. They need to be airborne and you need to breathe them in for you to have an allergic reaction to them. Cat allergen is very small so it remains suspended in the air longer. There is also a high rate of recontamination (because the cats are running around the house). Here are some recommended steps to decrease your (or your partner's) cat allergies. This would have to apply to your friend but says "You". No more cats sleeping on the bed. 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. Keep them out of the bedroom altogether. 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. Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly. 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). Use HEPA air filters in rooms where your cats frequent. 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 up cat allergen with a high grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly. 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. Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home. 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. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen. Wash your hands immediately after petting your cat and do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes can result in itchy eyes for hours. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to avoid this problem. Clean your cat. Some people wash their cats to reduce the amount of cat allergen that is released from their cat into the air, but research seems to be conflicting about its effectiveness. 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. The majority of cats would prefer this to the highly dreaded bath. Confine your cats to one area of the house. 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. You DO NOT have to get rid of your CAT! If you do a good job with step numbers 1-9, your cat allergies should be significantly decreased. Keeping a cat when you have allergies takes a concerted effort, and is only for those who are nutty enough about their cats (like us), to go to all this trouble. Here is another website that has basically the same thing: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1278&articleid=144 If you or a member of your family is part of the 15% of our population allergic to pets, there are things you can do to help keep allergic reactions under control and make your home a much more comfortable place to live. Even if you do not have allergies, these tips are helpful if you have guests in your home that are allergic to animals. We spend from one third to one half of our time in our bedrooms. By keeping the animals out of the bedrooms at all times, we can greatly reduce the symptoms of pet allergies. Install a good "HEPA" air cleaner. Close the ducts to the bedrooms and use electric heaters. Clean and vacuum regularly. Bathe your pet weekly. Do not allow your pet on the furniture. Do not allow your pet in your car. (Or use car seat covers when your pet is in the car.) Brush your pet daily and use an allergy-reducing spray such as Allerpet. Keep your pet's skin healthy by feeding a high quality food and a fatty acid supplement. Wash your hands after handling the pet, his toys, bed, etc. See your physician and discuss possible immunotherapy or medications. Summary Telling an allergic pet owner to just not have a pet or to get rid of their own pet is not a realistic option the majority of the time. The same holds true for telling people that are allergic to animals to just avoid them. Animals and pets are a very integral part of our lives and it is impossible to avoid contact with them. By adopting some good management strategies, we can help allergic pet owners keep their pets. At the same time, even if we do not have allergies ourselves, with a little empathy and consideration on our part, we can make life much easier for our friends and relatives who suffer from allergies to our pets.

Q: How can I stop cat allergy symptoms immediately?
I have asthma and I am also allergic to cats. I am staying at a friends house and she has two cats. When I was around them, I started reacting to them. I can't stop sneezing and my nose won't stop running. I also can't stop coughing. How can I fix this without any shots or taking any allergy medication?

A: Leave the premises and stay out.

Q: Ways to reduce cat allergy symptoms after leaving area?
I'm allergic to cats (sneezing, sniffling, coughing, itchy eyes, the whole bit) and I'm wondering - are there any good ways to reduce your symptoms *after* leaving the area with cats? I left a friend's house the other day (who has 3 cats) and was on my way to meet some other people for a movie and wished I knew ways to get my body back to normal faster.

A: My daughter had a bad allergy to cats. She visited a chiropractor and over a period of a couple of months her allergy lessened and finally went. We now have two inside and 12 outside cats and she only has a problem if she is stressed. She knows what to do if she has a problem now. Check out chiropractors who specialize in allergy relief. Also have you tried wearing a shirt/tshirt etc. that you can change when you leave the cat area? As it's the dander (not the cat) that causes the problem, a clothing change may help. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is also great if you're into alternative health options and is very effective on physical problems. Good luck.

Q: How long should it take for allergy symptoms to show after exposure to cat?
Please help.. I don;t thnik it is a cat allergy cause it takes time for me to experience it.

A: Usually within half an hour of uninterrupted exposure. A couple of friends come to my house, and if they haven't taken their allergy antihistimines before they get here, they are sniffing and their eyes are getting red, and they are in a full blown allergy attack by the time they leave (2-3 hrs). TX Mom

Q: What is cat allergy and symptoms?
can it be deadly ever? my skin itches and gets red after a while when i hold my kittens or be around them and i also feel like i cant breath and there's pressure to my heart... do these mean i have cat allergy and this is just basic now but can it get worse and more serious, even cause death?

A: There are many things you can do to minimize allergy problems. I have allergies and also have cats. My allergies aren't severe, but they can get worse as we get older. Different people can have different reactions. I run HEPA filters in my house, vacuum often and groom the cats often. If I can talk someone else in the house into doing it, I will. I have one room in the house where cats are not allowed, and that is my bedroom. I need a "clean" room to keep my allergies in check. To confirm what your allergies are, you can have allergy testing. This will point out specific things you must avoid and how serious the allergy is. My nephew gets respiratory problems when he is around cats. If we open a window for better air circulation it isn't as bad. I get headaches, itchy eyes, cough and sneeze, and if the cat hair is too thick I itch. If the allergy to all things cat triggered asthma attacks, then it probably could be fatal. However, before you get too upset about allergies and cats, get the testing. Sometimes what we perceive to be an allergy can be something else, so it is best to get it checked out.

Q: Has anyone heard of cat-allergy symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting?
My great-niece had a bout of diarrhea with occasional vomiting 3 weeks ago after having visited another aunt's home, with a cat. She had another overnight visit with that same aunt on this past Saturday, and now has started another bout of diarrhea and vomiting. Her mother was asking if the two events could be connected. Please don't give me an alternative diagnosis. I know for a fact that gastro is actually an allergic reaction~having suffered with it for years before I found a Dr. who did more than just push pills. I simply want to know if anyone has heard of this reaction in connection with cat allergies.

A: I think cat allergies generally manifests as respiratory problems, itchy eyes, maybe hives, or a rash. I've never heard of cat allergies been associated with diarrhea and/or vomiting. (What is her aunt feeding her?)

Q: what are the symptoms of cat allergy?
how close to the cat do i have to be to suffer? is there anything i can to do treat or cure it?

A: Cat allergens are air borne and also may get circulated in your home. If you have head ache, a runny nose, develop teary eyes, and start to sneeze every time you get near your cat you might be having an allergic reaction. Other symptoms include- Clogged and ringing ears Sneezing fits Red and watering eyes. Burning eyes. Skin rashes. Cold-like symptoms Sore throat Solution for this problem 1.The easiest and most complete solution short of finding your cat a new home is to make it an outside cat. 2. Receiving medical treatment for your allergies. 3. At least limiting your cats access to your bedroom is a must.

Q: cat allergy symptoms?
Hello... one month ago we took a kitty and recently i can't breathe well... it is not too bad, but i wonder if it is a cat allergy, is it dangerous if it is not treated? Can it develope to asthma? Is it possible the symptoms to go away without medecines? Thanks

A: Naturally, if we were sane and rational about our allergies, we would stay away from anything that makes us sick. Many of us, however, are not sane and rational about pets, especially our cats. Although cat allergy symptoms may never go away completely, they are manageable. Remember this basic fact about cat allergens. They need to be airborne and you need to breathe them in for you to have an allergic reaction to them. Cat allergen is very small so it remains suspended in the air longer. There is also a high rate of recontamination (because the cats are running around the house). Here are some recommended steps to decrease your (or your partner's) cat allergies. 1. No more cats sleeping on the bed. 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. 2. Keep them out of the bedroom altogether. 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. 3. Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice monthly. 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). 4. Use HEPA air filters in rooms where your cats frequent. 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. 5. Vacuum up cat allergen with a high grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly. 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. 6. Use a vapor steam cleaner to clean your home. 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. Steam cleaners provide a chemical-free way of cleaning and killing dust mites, bacteria, mold spores and cat allergen. 7. Wash your hands immediately after petting your cat and do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes can result in itchy eyes for hours. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to avoid this problem. 8. Clean your cat. Some people wash their cats to reduce the amount of cat allergen that is released from their cat into the air, but research seems to be conflicting about its effectiveness. 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. The majority of cats would prefer this to the highly dreaded bath. 9. Confine your cats to one area of the house. 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. 10. You DO NOT have to get rid of your CAT! If you do a good job with step numbers 1-9, your cat allergies should be significantly decreased. Keeping a cat when you have allergies takes a concerted effort, and is only for those who are nutty enough about their cats (like us), to go to all this trouble. Mercia Tapping is the president of allergybuyersclub.com and a true cat lover who has learned to control her cat allergies with the steps mentioned above. There is a Cat Solution Buyers Guide on her web site that recommends the best rated products for reducing cat allergens.

Q: How do I reduce or even get rid of my cat allergy symptoms?
My fiance bought me a 5-month old cat (American Shorthair) a week ago and they're pretty pricey! My first night with her I had full blown allergies. I was sneezing like crazy, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, slight shortness of breath, redness on face, and nonstop cough (bronchospasms). I took some benadryl which helps me sleep throughout the night. Day 1, I was little better. We didn't let my cat go into the bedrooms and bathrooms. I only had runny nose, sneezing, and some redness on face. We decided that I should take Claritin and it did help a little where I had slight runny nose and sneezing but no redness on face. I did used Claritin up to Day 2 and we bought Allerpet to reduce the allergen that my cat produces. We also cleaned our place and vacuumed. I also wore mask when I'm close to my cat and when I pet her. Day 3 and 4, I switched to taking Zyrtec. It lessened my sneezing and runny nose. But on Day 4 my cat got sick. We took her to emergency room for animals and Vet said that she has respiratory issues and her left eye was teary and infected. They gave us antibiotic to give her. Day 5 and 6, I decided to not take any medication. My symptoms were the same as Day 4. But yesterday afternoon coming home, Day 7, I developed same symptoms I had from my first contact with my cat. I was more short of breath this time. I took Benadryl, Phenergan with Codeine for my bronchospasms, and inhaler. I need some serious advice. I've tried so many things. If there's more I need to do, I am willing to do so just my fiance won't return my cat back to breeder. He planned on returning her tonight. He also asked his doctors from his work (He's an emergency room nurse) and all of them said to return my cat except for one doctor who thinks I can get immune to my cat. I owned a cat 6 years ago and I was fine with him. I had him for 6 months and even let him sleep with me. I am desperate here to try anything.

A: I would go to an allergist and ask if your symptoms are bad enough to take allergy shots or to get a prescription allergy medication. Hope I helped!

Q: DO seasonal allergy medicines work on cat allegies?
Will something like claritin or zyrtek relieve cat allergy symptoms, or do you know anything else that will work? I'm extremely allergic to cats and would like to avoid swollen, itchy eyes and sneezing every time I'm around them because I know a lot of people with cats. thanks

A: All allergy medications, regardless of if they state they are 'Seasonal' contain antihistamine. Antihistamine is the medication that alleviates allergic reactions in people. That could be anything from skin rashes, runny, itchy eyes, sneezing, to airway difficulties. So ask your Pharmacist which antihistamine would be best for you as you need to avoid some if you are on medications such as antidepressants or BP Meds.

Q: What are symptoms of a cat allergy?
i just pet my cat and a few minutes later my throught was sore and i'm having a bit of trouble breathing (nothing major) and this has happened before but i never connected the two together. Are these synptoms of a cat allergy? also how long does it usually take for a reaction to pass?

A: sounds more to me like you have Asthma! And cats are know to worse the symptoms of asthma ! I suggest you get rid of the cat darling!

Q: what are the symptoms of a cat allergy?
?

A: when u start acting like cat and produce sound miyao,miyao.

Q: Cat allergy?
I just found out that i have a high allergy to cats (level 3). I've had cats my whole life, and more than just one. I currently have five, and 4/5 are outdoor cats. I've never had a reaction to them and i constantly have gotten these rashes that look like poison ivy so i went to my doctor and he thought it was allergies. So, I took a blood test and then it came back with that, amongst other things but the cat allergy was the worst. It's hard to understand though because I have never not been around cats, practically. I have no reaction to them at all, I don't get that typical itchy eyes, water eyes, running nose, tight lung, thing. It just doesn't happen. I'm starting to think the poison ivy rashes are developing because of the fur being on my clothes maybe and it's having a reaction with my skin? But I don't understand how my allergy could be so high if I don't have any typical symptoms around my cats. Can anyone elaborate on this? Explain to me what might be going on, anything.

A: this might help okay cats lick them selfs clean and people say its the fur that you are allergic too! ITS NOT TRUE!!!! your really allergic to the cats saliva from licking its fur if your cats been licking you or around you theres your prob>!!!!!!!! hope i help ~Shelby Smith

Q: Cat Allergy?
I took in a friend's cat (Morris) recently; we have two other cats. Morris came to us with fleas and we noticed right away that his bottom lip was swelling and he had some pretty severe swelling and bumps on his neck. We immediately took care of the flea problem and saw immediate improvement. It's been 3 months now and his lip is STILL swollen and I'm starting to find bumps on his neck again. No scabs or crusties, but hard knobby bumps. He's eating OK and acting fine so I'm not really worried about his actual health. However, he can't be feeling really good and it's starting to worry me. What are some typical cat allergies that I could be looking for? I use Frontline Plus for fleas, is there something better I should be using? I have not noticed any fleas or symptoms with my other cats, so I didn't think that was it; is it possible that is still the problem? I would appreciate any advice that I can try before I have to take him to the vet. Thanks! I've talked with the friend I got Morris from. She has had this problem as well. It went away when she moved into a new house and stayed gone for almost a year. Now it's back. She says the vet told her it was an allergy, but they never found out to what. I have treated all the cats with Frontline Plus. I have another cat with a typical flea allergy so I keep them all flea-free. The vet seemed pretty sure it wasn't a food allergy. So I was wondering what other things cats can be allergic to? Are they sensitive to dust or pollen like some humans?

A: Frontline Plus is a fine product, stick with it. You will need to treat your other cats however. Animals have differing sensitivities to fleas; they don't all react the same. When there are fleas in a house, you always need to treat ALL animals - it's very likely they have some too. Run a flea comb over them and look at the hair on the comb for black specks (flea dirts). Take him to the vets regarding his lip, it could well be a small abscess, or a herpes sore, or a tooth problem - anything really! Flea allergy is probably the most typical in cats, but you usually get scabs around the flanks. Cats don't really show pain unless it's really really bad, you can't judge their pain level as you would a humans. Very likely a swollen lip is very uncomfortable for him as you say, he's probably learned to live with it but would appreciate it gone! Chalice

Q: Suspected Cat Allergy?
One of my roommates recently adopted a cat from the local SPCA and ever since it moved in I've been experiencing hay fever like symptoms: runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. (And it's been raining hard for the past week or so, so I know it's not my regular hay fever.) I've been researching cat allergy symptoms and they're all a little vague. So, what are the symptoms of an animal allergy and should I go get an allergy test to make sure? (And if you could relate it to a personal experience, that would be great. I've heard people develop hives and other things, but I only experience rhinitis/hay fever with my allergies.) I've had dogs, long hair and short, and been around cats before but I haven't experienced any animal related allergy symptoms until my roommate's cat moved in. It is a female, short hair tabby, if that helps, and she moved in about 3 days ago (so I don't know if it's related to her being at the SPCA). Thanks!

A: You could be having an allergic reaction to the cat. Those are common symptoms for almost any type of allergy. You could try taking an over the counter allergy medication. I know someone who has watery, itchy eyes and sneezes whenever he walks into a home that has a cat. He doesn't even have to see it.