Some people are lucky enough that they eventually develop an immunity to cat allergies. While this is certainly possible, allergic reactions may also worsen with more exposure. It's also possible that someone who has never suffered an allergy to cats before can develop one.
In general, symptoms will worsen when a person is exposed to greater amounts of allergens or when several different types are present. Therefore, reducing the exposure to allergens can reduce the severity of the symptoms.
You can't get rid of pet allergies. However, you can take OTC antihistamine pills, nasal corticosteroids and nasal antihistamines to treat your symptoms.
While there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat, allergy-prone pet parents may want to adopt a shorthaired cat over a longhaired cat. Shorthaired cats shed less, which means less cat hair around your home that dander can affix itself to.
Build up resistance. There is no cure for allergy to cats (yet!), but immunotherapy may help increase your tolerance. Immunotherapy involves getting allergy shots once or twice weekly for up to six months, then monthly boosters for three to five years.
It's important to continue exposure to the cat over a period of several months or even years to help your body build up a tolerance to the allergens. Over time, you should notice a reduction in symptoms and an increased ability to tolerate the cat.
A lot will depend on the nature of your allergies. If yours are of the sneezing, watery eyes, and running nose variety, you may be able to slowly and gradually build up your tolerance to cats. However, before getting a cat, you should undergo allergy testing first, particularly if you suffer from asthma.
Pet allergy relief
When you can't live without your pet, a medicine for dog and cat allergies can help control your pet allergy symptoms. ZYRTEC® starts working at hour 1 and stays strong day after day, so you can reduce your cat and dog allergy symptoms.
A recent study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that researchers at HypoPet have made a vaccine that could help people who are allergic to cats. The vaccine, which is called HypoCat, is not for people but for cats. It goes after a certain protein, or allergen called Fel d 1, which cats make.
Cat allergies are just as unpredictable as cats too. They can become milder over time and they can also become worse. Consider carefully your health and well-being and that of your family. If it's only a mild allergy, then nothing to worry about.
Cats to avoid if you have allergies
High-shedding cat breeds tend to be worse for people with allergies because the allergens get trapped in their coats and spread wherever they lose their fur. Some of these high-shedders include the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric.
Direct contact with an allergy-causing pet may trigger allergic dermatitis, causing signs and symptoms, such as: Raised, red patches of skin (hives) Eczema. Itchy skin.
Some of the best antihistamines for cat allergies include Curist Allergy Relief (levocetirizine), fexofenadine (brand Allegra), and cetirizine (brand Zyrtec).
Many people experience allergies from pets, and it may be difficult to avoid potential allergens that cause symptoms. Over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and decongestants can help quickly relieve symptom from cats and dogs.
Different cats produce varying levels of Fel d 1, so allergy sufferers may find that they are allergic to some cats and not others. In addition, everyone's sensitivity level to this allergen is different.
Additional treatments for allergies to pets are include immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet.
It's not always clear why some people develop allergies later in life when they didn't have them before, but your immune system is a continuously evolving organ that keeps training and retraining itself. Therefore, any change in the internal and external milieus of the human body can potentially trigger allergies.
Female cats produce a lower level of allergens than males, and neutered males produce a lower level of allergens than unneutered males.
It is estimated that globally around 10-20% of human adults are allergic to cats (a figure that has been increasing), that cat allergy among humans is second only to house dust mite as a cause of indoor respiratory allergy, and that around 20-30% of patients with respiratory allergy are allergic to cats.
Dogs and cats may be your best friends, but, if you have allergies, they could be your worst enemy, especially in the winter. As the weather gets colder and dogs and cats spend more time inside, the level of animal dander rises in the home. There are two major concerns: It's cold, and the house is closed up.
Which raises an interesting question – do allergies weaken our immune system, and are those who suffer from allergies thus at greater risk of getting sick? The short answer to that question is yes.
In addition, ongoing allergies can cause secondary problems including ear problems, skin bacterial infection, skin yeast infection, eye problems, and upper respiratory discomfort. These secondary conditions may even continue after the allergic reaction has passed or controlled.