While it may be true that some cats may show friendly behavior towards people that ignore them, there is no evidence that they specifically pick on the allergic.
While those with severe, potentially life-threatening allergies should probably not adopt a cat or dog, most people with mild to moderate allergies can tolerate life with these animals, even if their allergists would rather they didn't.
Symptoms of a cat allergy might develop in just a few minutes or take hours to appear. About 20% to 30% of people with allergic asthma have severe flare-ups after coming in contact with a cat.
The initial allergy attack can last around two weeks until you find a new baseline, but that new baseline does not include immunity. Everyone is different though, and some people may not feel a difference until all the allergens are gone.
While there is no “cure” that will make you immune to cat allergens, there are several actions you can take to significantly reduce cat allergens in your home and alleviate your symptoms.
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.
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.
Baking Soda: Man's True Best Friend. Baking soda is a fantastic neutralizer, which is why it's top of the list for how to get rid of pet odor. Ever had anyone recommend you leave baking soda in the fridge to eat up weird smells? The same concept applies outside of the fridge, too!
Can you get rid of pet allergies? You can't get rid of pet allergies. However, you can take OTC antihistamine pills, nasal corticosteroids and nasal antihistamines to treat your symptoms. For some people, allergy shots (immunotherapy) offer a long-term solution to managing pet allergies.
All cats produce FEL D1 in their saliva and release it from certain glands. They spread this protein all over their body as they lick themselves. New research by scientists from the University of Queensland in Australia might help explain why this allergy is so prevalent in humans.
Allergists may also use a blood test known as a RAST as an alternative to or in addition to skin tests. If an allergy test comes back positive, it's decision time: Should you find a new home for your pet? Experts unanimously agree that the best way to reduce allergens is to remove pets from the home.
Some people believe that you can build an immunity to cat allergies and that the more time you spend with cats, the less severe your allergy will become, but sadly there's no evidence to support this.
HAIR COLOR HAS NO INFLUENCE ON ALLERGEN PRODUCTION
A myth exists that suggests cats with darker colored hair and those with longer hair are more likely to trigger allergies than cats with lighter colored or shorter hair. However, hair color and length have no influence…
6. The amount of allergens that cats produce doesn't differ from breed to breed, but does differ among individual cats. Cain says that male cats tend to produce more allergens than females. Among males, neutered cats produce less than intact ones.
People whose bodies make less IgE over time can become less sensitive to allergens. The same seems to be true for those who start producing more of another antibody, called IgG4, that can counteract IgE.
Davis recommends investing in a quality HEPA air purifier, which will reduce the allergens floating around in the air. You may also want to regularly vacuum the furniture and the carpets.
Bathe your pet on a weekly basis to reduce the level of allergy-causing dander (shed old skin cells). Cats can get used to being bathed, but it's critical to only use products labeled for them; kittens may need a shampoo safe for kittens.
Cat hair or dander itself is not allergenic, so shaving the cat will not lessen the reaction.
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.