subject: Tips to Reduce Your Cat Allergies [print this page] Tips to Reduce Your Cat Allergies Tips to Reduce Your Cat Allergies
Cat allergies are when a person has an allergic reaction to one or more of the known allergens that cats produce. The symptoms may range from watery, itchy eyes, coughing, sneezing, chronic chest congestion to swelling of the feet and hands. Cat allergies are serious for many people even though they may be cat lovers. There are ways to treat and reduce your allergies to cats.
If living with a feline in the house or working then this can't be avoided, try washing the hands often and try not to rub the eyes. It's the cat's dander, saliva and urine that causes the allergic reaction not the hair itself. The immune system if overly sensitive will react to the outside threat and attack them. This is what causes a lot of the symptoms. Individuals who think they are allergic to cats should get the correct diagnosis from a medical professional. Once it is determine that it is in fact that are causing the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe over the counter antihistamines.
Allergy shots can also be used to reduce the allergies. If there is feline in the home or place that an individual is visiting, try to avoid contact with it if at all possible. Let the owners know that there is a cat allergy involved and not just an aversion to cats. This will eliminate some of the confusion as to why the cat is being avoided. If visiting a place with cats or where cats have been, start taking the allergy medicine early to keep the symptoms from occurring or becoming too bad.
Cat allergies can be serious in some cases if not diagnosed and treated correctly. Using a vacuum cleaner with a finer filter will help pull a lot of the hidden allergens from the carpet. Giving your feline regular baths will also help keep cat dander at a minimum. Knowing that cat allergies and asthma have similar symptoms, a diagnosis confirming which one it is, is a lot better than guessing. Feeding the cats food that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids will help not only keep their coats healthy, but minimize the dander.
