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You may wonder, why does playing with my cat make my nose run and my eyes itch? Why does cuddling with my cat throw me into sneezing fits? What is it about my cat that causes this reaction in me?
The simple answer is that your cat is constantly shedding skin flakes (dander) into the air which you breathe in and to which your body overreacts. If you have cat allergies these little 'bio-bits' contain protein fragments that trigger your body's immune system, which mistakes them for dangerous pathogens. Allergenic proteins are also present in cats' urine and saliva so activities such as cleaning the litter box and receiving kisses from your kitty may cause flare-ups in your allergy symptoms.
Basically, allergies are the result of misguided, overzealous immune responses to normally harmless substances. And you are not alone; roughly 20% of people suffer from allergies, and a significant portion of them experience cat allergies.
Allergic reactions can range from skin rashes, hives, rhinitis (runny and stuffy nose, post-nasal drip), red and itchy eyes, asthma, including severe asthma attacks, and even anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock and asthma attacks are the most serious of allergic reactions because they can be fatal if not treated immediately.
There is a strong genetic component to allergies, and people are more prone to experiencing them if their parents have allergies as well. However, exposure and other environmental influences also play a role, and people can develop allergies at any time in their life, with or without a family history of allergies.
Specifically, here are the main causes of cat-related allergies (note: there are several more feline allergens that have been identified, but the following five described below are the most important allergens discovered to date):
Common name: Dander Allergen
Scientific name: Fel d 1, secretoglobin, uteroglobin
Role: major cat allergen (the most significant cat allergen, elicits allergic responses in 90% of people with cat allergies)
Found in: saliva, sebaceous(oil) glands, anal glands, lacrimal (tear-producing) glands, internal tissues, skin (skin is the most significant source) - production of Fel d 1 is at least partly controlled by testosterone, with male cats producing more than females, and neutered male cats producing less Fel d 1 than intact males
How it's transported: Fel d 1 is extremely small and light enough to float in the air
The Myth: cat hair causes allergies
The Truth: dander can be trapped in hair, making it seem like hair is the culprit, but it is actually secreted by skin cells
Common name: Major Urinary Allergen ('Mup')
Scientific name: Fel d 4, lipocalin
Found in: urine, saliva
Role: major cat allergen (causes allergic response in approximately 60% of cat allergy sufferers)
How it's transported: Fel d 4 in feline saliva is deposited onto cats' dander particles when they groom themselves; Fel d 4 in feline urine may exacerbate allergies in those who are on kitty bathroom duty
The Myth: I thought that if protein is present in my cat's urine it meant that they could be having kidney problems
The Truth: This can be true in various instances, but not when it comes to Mups! Mups are supposed to be present in cat urine, and they act as pheromones that trigger social cues both within the feline species and among other species (eg. feline Mups elicit fear responses in mice and rats!)
Common name: Cat Albumin
Scientific name: Fel d 2, serum albumin
Found in: saliva, dander, serum (blood)
Role: minor cat allergen
How it's transported: similar mechanisms of contact with humans as Fel d 1 and Fel d 4
The Myth: Fel d 2 is a more prominent cat dander protein than Fel d 1, so it is probably an even worse allergen than Fel d 1, the "Dander Allergen"
The Truth: Fel d 2 is considered a minor cat allergen and only elicits an allergic response in 15% - 35% of people with cat allergies
Common name: Cat Cystatin
Scientific name: Fel d 3, cystatin - cysteine protease inhibitor
Found in: dander
Role: minor cat allergen (elicits allergic reactions in approximately 10% of individuals with cat allergies)
How it's transported: similar mechanisms of contact with humans as Fel d 1, Fel d 4, Fel d 3
Common name: Cat IgA
Scientific name: Fel d 5, feline immunoglobulin A
Found in: dander, serum
Role: minor cat allergen (elicits allergic reactions in approximately 40% of individuals with cat allergies)
How it's transported: similar mechanisms of contact with humans as Fel d 1, Fel d 4, Fel d 2, Fel d 3
HOW TO MANAGE CAT ALLERGIES
If you suffer from cat allergies there are many lifestyle modifications you can make that will enable you to enjoy a close, loving relationship with your cat(s) without suffering allergy symptoms or constantly needing to use allergy medications. The simplistic tasks range from precautions you should take while interacting with your cat, to cleaning your cat, and how to improve your home cleaning and ventilation methods so that the overall allergen load in your home is minimized.
The more costly and challenging (but worthwhile!) modifications include changing your home flooring, your bedding and furniture type, window treatments, and other remodeling efforts. While these are more expensive and time-consuming changes to accomplish, they are particularly beneficial to allergy sufferers because they not only reduce the cat allergen load in your home, but also that of other potent allergens (such as dust mites), thus reducing the presence of all allergens at home - this is key in managing the overall manifestation of your allergic symptoms.
Here's what you can do:
With Your Cat -
- After each contact with your cat, avoid touching your clothes, face and eyes until you can wash your hands.
- Change your clothes post-cuddle or purchase a tight-weave housecoat to wear when cuddling your cat.
In Your Home -
- Avoid 'knick-knacks' which can collect dust and allergens.
- Open windows to ventilate rooms.
- Avoid using drapes (they are hard to clean), instead use blinds or shutters.
- Use easy to clean semi-gloss paint on walls.
- Minimalist furniture that is easy to clean is best (leather or removable tight-weave upholstery is a close second).
- Flooring should be hardwood or vinyl (avoid the use of area rugs).
- Buy bedding and covers designed to keep out allergens & choose linens with the smallest fabric weave possible.
When Cleaning -
- Use HEPA filters in your vents, air purifiers, heaters and vacuums.
- Vacuum 2x per week.
- Wash bedding 1x per week.
- Clean air vents 2x per year.
- Clean decorative pillows 1x per week.
- Steam cleaning is a good way to kill allergens in upholstery, carpeting and fabrics.
Keeping Your Cat Clean -
Yes, cat's bath themselves, but they're not worried about dander (and the kitty self-grooming process spreads salivary allergens over their coat surface and onto dander particles!). To help reduce the amount of dander being released from your cat's skin (the main source of cat allergen) you can soak your cat in warm tap water for 3 minutes. These mini-baths are best if done twice per week, but some owners have found that even once per week can provide some help with allergies. If you wish, you can use a gentle, hypo-allergenic shampoo, but this isn't necessary for the purposes of decreasing dander. Please remember, whenever you bath your cat, use the same precautions as you would with an infant (make sure the water is warm but not hot, do not leave your cat unattended in the bath, and if the running water scares your kitty then be sure to fill the basin prior to bathing your cat).
A great tip for both you and your cat is to use a low-dust type of cat litter. Low-dust litter helps reduce the amount of dander present in the air, and causes less irritation to the sensitive airways of owners with allergies and the airways of cats that suffer from allergies too. Keep in mind that if the allergic person in your home is cleaning the litter box, they should use a mask to avoid the inhalation of dander particles and litter dust.
- Medical Information for Humans -
Before you blame your cat for your allergies, be certain that they are indeed the guilty party; your family physician or allergist can help diagnose your allergies properly. This is crucial since there are a wide variety of environmental allergens that can mimic cat allergy symptoms.
Also, it's important to note that many people with cat allergies just need a few months to build up a tolerance to their individual cat. So, if you start sneezing around your cat, do not take any drastic actions such as surrendering your kitty or renovating your entire home until you've given it some time. Patience can often pay off when it comes to cat allergies!
Additionally, there are many over-the-counter remedies, prescription drugs, and other treatment approaches that can provide significant relief for allergy sufferers, particularly during the period when your immune system is acclimatizing to your new cat(s). If you are suffering, it's a great idea to check in with your family physician, allergist, and local pharmacist. They can discuss many treatment options with you, which may include:
antihistamines, decogestants, nasal glucocorticoids, nasal cromolyns
rescue inhalers and inhalant glucocortoids for asthmatic reactions
omega 3 fatty acids and select other nutritional supplements that can help decrease inflammation throughout the body
immunotherapy specifically for cat allergens which can help decrease the frequency and severity of allergic symptoms
A NOTE ABOUT HYPOALLERGENIC CATS
Some cat breeds have been genetically manipulated via inbreeding to make them less allergenic to humans than others. However, I strongly recommend that you not purchase a purebred, hypoallergenic cat. Hypoallergenic cats suffer greater frequency of genetic disorders and diseases, and that means a sick cat with a lower quality of life, as well as more veterinary bills for you! So, before you search out a cat that may let fly less allergenic dander, consider the solutions I've listed above, and think about the welfare of the cat you wish to own and care for. Read Selected Inherited Diseases of the Cat by Dr. Susan Little, Diplomate ABVP (feline), for more information on genetic disorders in purebred cats.
ALLERGY RESOURCES
Shopping for allergy products? Recommended websites:
Allergy Buy's Club (affiliated with Allergy Consumer Review - below)
Air Cleaners.com
Sleep Clean (sells organic allergy bedding)
The Allergy Guy
Allergy Consumer Review (great reviews on products)
Miele.ca (vacuums)
To read more of Dr. Ko's articles, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com
The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Dr. Ko is a passionate believer in the importance of preventative medicine and educating cat owners about its benefits for their cats. It was this ideal which was the motivation for the creation of the Dr. Ko website.
catdoctorko.com is a brand new site dedicated to providing cat owners with information to help them provide effective and preventative health care for their cats. Within the site, Dr. Ko, a licensed veterinarian, has created Know-How Videos, Cat Health Articles, Ask Dr. Ko tips (in which she answers your cat health questions), information on toxic substances, product recalls, dangerous household items and much more! In addition, the website houses a store filled with products specifically selected for their benefits to optimizing your cat's quality of life!
All of the topics that Dr. Ko writes about are provided by members of her website. To suggest an article topic for Dr. Ko, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com/ and set up a membership - it's fast and free!
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