Even though living with a cat can be great, it can quickly become uncomfortable if you have allergies. If you live in Fairfield, Connecticut, you may have spent your days desperately looking for natural ways to ease some of the effects of your cat allergy.
You don’t need to look any further; this blog post has everything you need to know to naturally get rid of those annoying cat allergies. We’ll talk about some easy and effective ways to treat and ease common cat allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itching so you can enjoy life with your beloved pet again without any problems.
What is The Cause of Cat Allergies?
Dust mites are the only other thing that can cause allergies inside. Twenty percent of adults around the world are allergic to cats, according to a 2022 review. of human allergy to cats.
What is it About Cats That Trigger An Allergic Response in Some People?
A small protein allergy called Fel d1 is to blame.
Cats make Fel d1 in cells under their skin, which are not visible to the naked eye. They also leave it behind in their clothing, saliva, urine, and dander. Cats constantly shed the protein, which can make people who are allergic to it sick.
Cat allergies worry doctors because they can cause long-term asthma and damage to the lungs that can’t be fixed in some people (“cats and asthma”).
Adult Cats vs. Kittens
Experts in allergy and immunology know that both adult cats and cute kittens can make allergy symptoms worse. Kittens may not make as much of the Fel d1 protein as adult cats, but it’s still in their bodies, and they can get rid of it just like adults.
The experts also know that cat allergens build up over time. Even slightly allergic people can develop allergic reactions after being around cats for a long time.
What are The Symptoms of Cat Allergies?
Different symptoms can show up in people who are allergic to cats. These symptoms are usually caused by the immune system reacting to the Fel d1 protein. Some common signs are
- Itching: People who are allergic to cats may itch, especially around their eyes, nose, and throat. Itching that won’t go away can be very uncomfortable.
- Sneezing: People who are allergic to cat allergens often sneeze a lot because their immune systems react to the allergen.
- Nose that runs or gets stuffy: Many people have nasal symptoms, such as a running or stuffy nose or sinus pressure. These signs and symptoms might look like those of a cold.
- Eyes that are red or watery: Cat allergies often make the eyes red and tear up a lot. Having this happen can make you feel irritated and uncomfortable.
- Skin Rashes: People with sensitive skin may get skin responses like redness, hives, or eczema after being around cat allergens for a long time.
- Respiratory Problems: Cat allergies can make breathing problems worse in people who already have them, causing coughing, wheeze, or trouble breathing. People who have asthma may have worsening symptoms.
Recognizing these signs is important for acting quickly and effectively on cat allergies.
How Cat Allergies Are Diagnosed
Skin tests and blood tests are the two ways to find out if someone is allergic to anything, even cats. When it comes to skin tests, there are two kinds. A skin prick test and a skin test that goes deep into the skin. Both tests are quick and don’t cost as much as blood tests.
Skin tests can be messed up by some medicines, so talk to your doctor about which test is best for you. Skin testing is generally done by an allergist because it is possible to have serious reactions during the test.
Allergy Skin Prick Test
This test is done in your doctor’s office so they can see how you react.
The allergen will be put on the surface of your skin by your doctor using a clean needle. This is usually done on the wrist or back. It’s possible that more than one allergen will be checked for at the same time. The control solution that won’t bother you will also be pricked into your skin. Your doctor may give each prick a number to help find the offender.
The skin prick site might turn red or swell up in 15 to 20 minutes. This response proves that you are allergic to that substance. If you are allergic to cats, the cat allergen will usually make you get a red, itching bump. Most of the time, these bad affects go away 30 minutes after the test.
Intradermal Skin Testing
This test is also done in your doctor’s office so they can see how you behave.
Possible allergens could be injected under the skin of the arm or wrist. If the reaction is good, red, itchy bumps will show up.
An intradermal test is thought to be more sensitive than a skin prick test at finding an allergy. This means that it may give a more accurate answer when an allergy is present. It can give more false results than the skin prick test, though. In other words, it makes the skin respond even when there isn’t an allergy.
Both of these skin tests are used to check for allergies. The doctor will tell you which test is best for you.
Blood Test
Many times, people can’t get skin tests because they already have a skin disease or are too old. Kids who are still young often have more trouble with skin tests. This is when the doctor will ask for a blood test. Someone will give blood, either at the doctor’s office or a lab, and it will then be sent for tests.
After that, antibodies to common allergens, like cat dander, are looked for in the blood. Even though it takes longer, there is no chance of having an allergic response during a blood test.
How to Get Rid of Cat Allergies Naturally
If you want to improve your cat allergy symptoms naturally, try adding the following treatments to your daily routine:
1. Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinse, which is also called saline nasal irrigation, can help people with cat allergies by lowering the number of allergens in their nose or throat. When someone who is allergic to cats comes in touch with cat dander, their immune system reacts. This can make them sneeze, wheeze, and have itchy, watery eyes.
During a saltwater rinse, a mix of salt and water is used to clean out the nose. There is less mucus in the nose after using the saltwater rinse, and allergens like cat hair are flushed out. This may help ease the symptoms of cat allergies by reducing the swelling and itching that the allergens cause.
2. Take Probiotics
Probiotics can help your immune system by maintaining a good balance of bacteria in your gut. In addition to making you healthier, this can help cut down on allergic reactions.
3. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
If you have allergies, you might want to try using weak apple cider vinegar in your daily life. It may help the immune system and stop the production of mucus because it contains acetic acid.
4. Take Vitamin C
By taking vitamin C pills, you can boost your immune system and lower your levels of histamine. This might help make cat allergy symptoms a little less bad.
5. Herbal Remedies
Check out natural herbal choices like nettle and butterbur, which have been shown to help with allergy symptoms. Before using herbal remedies, you should talk to a medical provider.
6. Saline Nasal Irrigation
Regular use of saline solutions can easily clear out your nasal passageways. This easy thing you can do can help ease the stuffiness and itchiness that cat allergens cause.
7. Use Natural Nasal Sprays
Choose natural nasal sprays that have saline or herbal chemicals. These can help by calming the tissues in your nose and reducing allergic responses.
You can take charge of your cat allergy symptoms and feel better by using these natural methods about how to help cat allergies every day.
Tips For Minimizing Cat Allergy
1. Do Laundry Regularly
Bedding, pillows, and curtains should be washed and changed often so that cat allergens don’t build up on them.
2. Use An Indoor Allergen Neutralizer
Sprays or diffusers that neutralize indoor allergies can actively lower the amount of cat allergens in your home. These items work to neutralize and reduce allergens in the air, making the space inside healthier.
3. Use Air Filter
Put in air conditioners with HEPA filters to get rid of airborne particles like cat dander. These filters help keep the air cleaner by lowering the number of allergens in the surroundings.
4. Shower Your Cat On Time
If you clean your cat often, the allergens in their fur will be much less noticeable. Use products that are safe for cats, and ask your vet for advice on how often to bathe your cat.
5. Feed Your Cat With A Healthy Diet
Your cat’s general health, including the condition of its skin and fur, is improved by a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating well might help your pet shed less and make less hair, which means fewer allergens.
6. Limit Cat Access In Certain Rooms
Set aside parts of your home where cats are not allowed, especially in bedrooms, to reduce your exposure to allergens. This gives you places that are better for relieving asthma symptoms and relaxing.
Conclusion
By learning about what causes cat allergies and what the most common signs are, we can better fight these annoying allergens. We can ease our symptoms and improve our general respiratory health by using natural remedies on how to get rid of cat allergies naturally every day. But it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with allergies is different, so don’t be afraid to talk to a doctor if your symptoms don’t go away.
FAQ
How Do I Know What Cat I Am Allergic To?
It can be hard to figure out what type of cat you’re allergic to because cat allergies are usually caused by proteins in the cat’s skin cells, urine, and saliva, not by the breed or length of fur.
All of these toxins are found in dogs of the same breed. But some people may have different reactions to different cats. This could be because of how much hair a certain cat makes or because they are more or less sensitive.
Spending time with different types of dogs is the best way to see how your allergic reactions change over time, since everyone’s reactions are different. Talking to an allergist can also give you more specific information and tests.
Can I Build Immunity To Cat Allergy?
Complete immunity is not possible, but some people may become less sensitive over time if they are exposed to it often.
Are Long Hair Cats Better For Allergies?
It’s not true that long-haired cats are better for people with allergies. A protein called Fel d1 is found in cats’ breath, skin, and fur, not the length of their hair. Long-haired and short-haired cats both make about the same amount of allergens, so hair length doesn’t have a big effect on how bad an allergy is.