Allergies to cats: symptoms and what to do?

Allergy to cats is considered the most common. Wool of animals is one of the strongest allergens. Until now, it has not been established exactly why the fur of cats is more allergenic than the coat of dogs. Although it is reliably known and practically proven that wool and, especially its length, is not the primary cause of allergy to animals possessing it. But still, we have to recognize the fact that the concepts of cat and allergy are becoming inseparable every year.

Pets deliver a lot of joy, a positive attitude, give gratuitous love and affection to their owners. Everything looks much sadder, if a person has a predisposition to allergies. In such cases, it is absolutely counter-indicative to purchase any pets, especially cats.

It is also erroneous to believe that hairless breeds, or animals with short hair, will rid their master of such a condition as an allergy to cats. The point is not in the wool itself, but in the fact that this wool contains. An allergen can be any glandular secret that goes to the surface of the skin and spreads over the entire length of the coat, or remains on the skin, if it concerns the hairless breeds of animals. The saliva of the animal can be found not only on his body, but also on furniture, bedding and clothing. Remaining on the skin of the hands, under the fingernails, cat's saliva can get together with the food into the body, moreover, the thoroughness of washing hands, does not guarantee the complete elimination of the allergen. Thus, it turns out that if there is a predisposition to allergies, the allergy to cats will be manifested in any, even the slightest contact with the animal or traces of its presence.

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What are the symptoms of allergy to cats?

In every person, the symptoms of the onset of an allergic reaction proceed in a special way, with their own, purely individual manifestations. Allergy to cats has a number of symptoms that most often predominate at the time of the onset of an allergic reaction and hold, then increase, then weaken, throughout the period. In particular, it can be symptoms:

1. rhinitis, - incessant sneezing attacks, swelling of the nasal mucosa, with or without discharge;
2. conjunctivitis - abundant lacrimation with strong irritation of the mucous eyes, resulting in painful development in bright light;
3. bronchial asthma - frequent coughing attacks, accompanied by shortness of breath, which can persist throughout the course of the allergen and for some time after its complete elimination.

All of the above symptoms of allergy to cats can occur separately or in a complex, including, with the addition of skin manifestations - hives or dermatitis. The first signs of the onset of allergies may appear immediately after contact, and after a few hours. It is noticed that the allergy to cats in those children who from birth have permanent access to pets, arises much less often. But one should not try to "accustom" the children's organism to the "cat allergen". If a child has a predisposition to allergies, it is desirable to exclude all interactions with animals completely.

What if you are allergic to cats?

If you are allergic to cats, with the appearance of the first signs of the onset of an allergic reaction, first of all, you need to see a doctor and list all the factors surrounding you in your daily life that can be classified as highly allergenic, including, without fail, furry pets. After visiting the allergist and taking all the necessary tests, to determine the main allergen or their group, transfer your pet, for temporary residence, to someone from relatives or friends, then do a thorough wet cleaning of all horizontal surfaces, change the bedding, and upholstered furniture treat with special cleaning agents.

If after the "cleaning" works, allergy symptoms begin to decrease, and after a day stopped at all, then we can safely assume that it was just an allergy to cats. In this case, the pet should be transferred to reliable hands for permanent residence. The results of the tests are likely to confirm the validity of your assumption, although it is possible that the analyzes will show the presence of another allergen. Then the pet can be returned, and all the forces directed to eliminate the true cause of the allergic reaction.

How is the allergy to cats treated?

Whichever allergen causes a violent reaction of the body, including allergies to cats, treatment, by and large, is reduced to the same algorithm:

• complete cessation of interaction with the allergen;
• elimination of toxic decomposition products formed in the body at the time of the allergic process (increase in the volume of consumed liquid to 2 liters per day, plus antihistamines in combination with sorbents);

• immunostimulating therapy and complex of restorative drugs;
• strict hypoallergenic diet, refusal of cosmetic and perfumery for the period of treatment;
• connection of preparations improving the work of bronchi, in case of development of symptoms of bronchial asthma;
• in severe cases, the administration of glucocorticosteroids is indicated.

Live without allergies you can!

In order not to worry about the fact that the allergy to cats will permanently ruin your life, knowing your predisposition, you need to make it a rule to constantly visit an allergist doctor. Joint cooperation with specialists in the field of allergology will allow selecting not only a special course of anti-allergic therapy, but also a set of preventive measures, which, in each specific case, will contain different recommendations.

Modern anti-allergenic drugs are designed with the expectation that especially sensitive people, you can take them almost all-the-year-round, without harm to the body as a whole. However, special emphasis should be placed on maintaining immunity and strengthening the defenses of the body. The manifestation of allergic reactions is an indicator of a greatly weakened immune factor. Strong immunity is quite possible to cope even with such ailment as an allergy to cats.