Dander is a particular problem because it is very small and can remain airborne for long periods of time with the slightest bit of air circulation. It also collects easily in upholstered furniture and sticks to your clothes.
Pet saliva can stick to carpets, bedding, furniture and clothing. Dried saliva can become airborne. So-called hypoallergenic cats and dogs may shed less fur than shedding types, but no breed is truly hypoallergenic. Rodent pets include mice, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs.
Allergens from rodents are usually present in hair, dander, saliva and urine. Dust from litter or sawdust in the bottom of cages may contribute to airborne allergens from rodents. Pet allergies are common. However, you're more likely to develop a pet allergy if allergies or asthma runs in your family.
Being exposed to pets at an early age may help you avoid pet allergies. Some studies have found that children who live with a dog in the first year of life may have better resistance to upper respiratory infections during childhood than kids who don't have a dog at that age.
Ongoing chronic inflammation of tissues in the nasal passages caused by pet allergy can obstruct the hollow cavities connected to your nasal passages sinuses. These obstructions may make you more likely to develop bacterial infections of the sinuses, such as sinusitis. People with asthma and pet allergy often have difficulty managing asthma symptoms. They may be at risk of asthma attacks that require immediate medical treatment or emergency care. If you don't have a pet but are considering adopting or buying one, make sure you don't have pet allergies before making the commitment.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pet allergy is an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal's skin cells, saliva or urine. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Pet allergy: Are there hypoallergenic dog breeds?
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Herewith, the signs and symptoms to look out for. When you think of allergies, you probably think of sneezing, wheezing, and rashes. Those are very common symptoms, but they aren't the only ones! Cat allergies can also cause fatigue, leaving you feeling exhausted all the time. Pet allergies will generally make you feel like you're living with a cold that won't go away, and can result in sneezing and coughing.
Cat allergies can also lead to a post-nasal drip , a condition in which you produce more mucus which is also thicker in volume, causing it to slide down your throat and create the sensation of a constant sore throat. One symptom of this type of allergic reaction is that you might also notice that it comes and goes.
It could be worse in the morning and at night, or only really bad whenever you're home. If you always feel like you have a cold, but no fever or any other symptoms, see an allergist.
Another sign of allergies that you might overlook is your face feeling kind of swollen, puffy, and sightly painful. This can happen when you're very congested. Sometimes that congestion doesn't come out as a sniffly nose; instead it just causes head congestion that leaves you feeling swollen, foggy, and kind of odd. Watery eyes are a common symptom of pet allergies, as are red, dry, itchy eyes.
A lot of people think this is just a result of general allergies from being outside and being exposed to pollen, but that itchy feeling in your eyes can also happen after you're around your cat, especially if you pet them or hold them and then touch your eyes.
So, not an easy one to avoid. Up to 30 percent of people with asthma can have a severe attack upon coming into contact with a cat. You should talk to your doctor about a treatment plan if your symptoms become disruptive or uncomfortable.
There are two ways to test for any allergy, including to cats: skin testing and blood tests. There are two types of skin allergy tests. A skin prick test and an intradermal skin test. Both tests give fast results and tend to cost less than blood tests. Certain medications can interfere with skin testing, so talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.
Skin testing is usually done by an allergist due to the possibility of severe reactions during testing. Your doctor may number each prick to identify the allergen.
In about 15 to 20 minutes, the skin prick site may become red or swollen. This reaction confirms an allergy to that substance. A positive cat allergy will usually cause a red, itchy bump to the cat allergen.
These unpleasant effects generally go away 30 minutes after the test. Possible allergens may be injected under the skin of the forearm or arm. Red, itchy bumps will appear with a positive reaction. An intradermal test is considered more sensitive for detecting an allergy than a skin prick test, meaning it can be better at showing a positive result when an allergy exists. But it can also have more false positives than the skin prick test. That means it creates a skin reaction when there is no allergy.
Both skin tests have a role in allergy testing. You doctor will explain which testing method is best for you. Young children often have a more difficult time with skin testing. In these cases, the doctor will order a blood test. The blood is then examined for antibodies to common allergens, such as cat dander.
The results take longer, but there is no risk of an allergic reaction during a blood test. Buy Benadryl , Claritin , or Flonase now. Nasal lavage is a home remedy for symptoms of cat allergies. Salt water saline is used to rinse your nasal passages, reducing congestion, postnasal drip , and sneezing. Several over-the-counter brands are available. According to National Institutes of Health , butterbur an herbal supplement , acupuncture, and probiotics may improve the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
However, research is limited. Herbal remedies that show potential benefits are those that share a similar action in the body compared to traditional medications. Shop for butterbur supplements. High-efficiency particulate air HEPA filters are one of the best defenses against cat allergies. They reduce airborne pet allergens by forcing air through a special filter that traps pet dander, as well as pollen , dust mites, and other allergens.
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