People with cat allergies react to specific substances that cats produce, such as saliva, skin flakes called dander, or urine.
The substances that cause these reactions are called allergens. A cat allergy can cause symptoms ranging from mild respiratory problems to a life-threatening syndrome called anaphylaxis.
Cat allergies are among the most common allergies. According to
Fast facts about cat allergies:
- Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms.
- Some people who have allergies may be able to live with cats.
- Researchers do not fully understand why some people develop cat allergies and others do not.
The symptoms of cat allergies vary depending on the protein someone is allergic to and their exposure to that protein. For example, tiny allergens from cats can land in a person’s nose or eyes, causing burning or itching.
The most common symptoms of a cat allergy include:
- an asthma attack in people who have asthma
- respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or a stuffy nose
- irritated or red eyes
- itchy skin
- a rash on areas of the body that have come into contact with cat allergens
Very rarely, people with a cat allergy can develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis makes it difficult to breathe, can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, and can send the body into shock.
A person who has trouble breathing or feels like they are choking following contact with a cat should seek immediate emergency care. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction.
A person who is allergic to cats may continue to have symptoms even after the cat is no longer present. That happens because cat dander and other cat allergens can land on furniture and rugs, remain on unwashed clothes, and linger in linens.
People with allergies who want to live with cats or visit homes that have cats can do several things to manage their symptoms. Trying these can help alleviate the severity of allergies.
These include:
- Talk to a doctor about allergy treatments: Inhalers can reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Some nasal sprays can also help. Some people find that antihistamines reduce symptoms.
- Consider allergy shots: Allergy shots, sometimes called immunotherapy, gradually desensitize the immune system to particular allergens. By exposing the body to very small amounts of allergens over time, these shots can reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
- Do not use carpets or rugs, since they can trap pet allergens: Low pile carpet may reduce symptoms in houses that must use carpeting.
- Keep pets out of specific areas: These include bedrooms, off of furniture, and out of bed.
- Grooming: Have the cat regularly groomed, and ask someone who does not have allergies to brush them.
- Use air conditioning to filter the air: HEPA air cleaners can help with removing allergens.
- Vacuum: Use a microfilter bag in the vacuum to prevent cat allergens from traveling back into the air.
- Avoid hugging or kissing cats: Wash hands after petting them.
- Regularly vacuum furniture and carpets and sweep the floors: If possible, have someone who does not have pet allergies do these chores.
- Carry an epinephrine injection pen: For those who have more severe reactions to cats, talk to your doctor about whether an epinephrine pen is an option. This can be used to treat severe allergic reactions should someone come into unplanned contact with an allergen.
No specific treatment or preventative strategy can guarantee a person will not develop cat allergies.
Allergies develop when the immune system overreacts to a usually harmless substance.
This causes a person’s immune system to react to that substance as if it were a virus, bacteria, or another invader. Most people react to substances found in a cat’s sweat, saliva, and anal glands.
Some people who have adverse reactions to cats think that they are allergic to cat hair. It is not hair that causes the reaction though.
Instead, the problem is other substances, such as cat dander, cat urine, cat saliva, and other substances that may attach to a cat’s hair. These substances contain some proteins that can cause allergic reactions.
One theory is that exposure to animals very early in a person’s life may sensitize those who are already vulnerable to allergies. This causes them to later develop an allergy to cats. A
Other research has arrived at the opposite conclusion. Exposure to pets early on in life may actually lower the risk of asthma and allergies. This means that concerns about possible allergies should not determine whether or not a family gets a pet.
People with some other allergies are more likely to be allergic to cats. An allergy to dogs is
Most people suspect they are allergic to cats based on the symptoms they experience when they are around cats. Symptoms alone, however, will not reveal which specific proteins a person is allergic to. Allergy tests, including blood tests or a skin prick test, can determine whether a person has a cat allergy.
A skin prick test involves placing a tiny amount of common cat allergen just underneath the skin, then waiting for a reaction. Blood tests can test for specific immune substances associated with cat and other allergies.
Knowing the specific proteins a person is allergic to can help with deciding on the right treatment. So people who have cat allergies but want to continue living with cats should see an allergist.
Cat allergies in infants
Babies cannot talk about their symptoms, so cat allergies in infants may go undetected. Babies and toddlers who are often sick, who have difficulty sleeping, who have trouble breathing, who develop rashes, or who have unexplained respiratory symptoms may have allergies.
If there are cats or other animals in the house, consider seeing an allergist for allergy testing. Other household allergens, such as dust mites or mold, can also be triggers of allergy symptoms.
The easiest way to treat cat allergies is to avoid homes with cats and to rehome any cats that live with you. For people who view their pets as family, this is unthinkable.
Depending on the severity of the allergy, it may be possible to live with cats. Doing so requires a combination of allergy treatment and diligent management of cat hair and other particles. Knowing what specific proteins cause the allergic reaction can help people with cat allergies decide how best to manage their symptoms.
People with a history of anaphylactic reactions or severe asthma attacks in response to cats should not live with or be around cats. These types of severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening.
Cat allergies can be a minor inconvenience or a major obstacle to good health. It may be possible to live with cats in spite of an allergy, so see a doctor to discuss treatment options. If symptoms are severe, warn loved ones about the allergy before visiting, and avoid homes with cats.
An allergy does not have to cause chronic suffering, so take proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction.