|
Understanding Cat Allergy Symptoms |
 It may seem odd to even think that you may have an allergy to that adorable little ball of fur that is your housecat. The facts are that allergies to the common house cat are far more common than most people think. In fact, cat allergy symptoms are perhaps one of the top allergies people suffer from. What complicates matters is that you might exhibit cat allergy symptoms when around one cat and not have any problem around the cat at your neighbor's house. Because cat allergy sitcoms are so irregular like that, they often go unnoticed or they are not diagnosed correctly.
Medical science has a few things to tell us about the cause of cat allergy symptoms. The truth is that there are numerous ways a cat can set off your allergy. The way that cats exude allergens varies tremendously. The medical term for the substance a mild manner kitty might make to set off cat allergy symptoms is Glycopertein FEL d 1, which comes out of the sebaceous gland in the common housecat.
But that long-winded allergen makes its way to someone who may suffer with cat allergy symptoms through the cats dead skin cells, dander from her fir or from the cat's saliva. And anyone who has owned a cat knows that they are very happy to share their saliva with you through licking your hands, arms or feet. I have even seen times when an affectionate cat licked her owner's face. That is a speedy delivery of the allergen that can set off cat allergy symptoms.
It is important to remember that when you experience cat allergy symptoms, the cat is not doing anything to hurt you on purpose. In fact, the cat isn't even making you sick. An allergy happens when your immune system generates histamines to fight an allergen. An allergen is a something that by itself is not harmful but your immune system mistakenly attacks as though it was dangerous.
So when Tabby licks your hand and that saliva sets off cat allergy symptoms, that doesn’t make Tabby a dirty cat. It is a mistake in your immune system that is tagging that cat saliva as harmful when it really isn't. It helps to think this through rather than reacting to horror at a simple gesture of closeness that most cat owners enjoy.
Probably the most common cat allergy symptoms is a difficulty breathing which results in a wheeze or in coughing. Some people who experience cat allergy symptoms also have a tightness in their chest and even find it difficult to breathe when they are experiencing an allergy attack. Red eyes and a runny nose are also quite common cat allergy symptoms. Less common symptoms are a skin rash that comes from contact with the allergens in cat urine or saliva.
Unfortunately, there is not cure for cat allergy symptoms. But if you cannot tolerate the idea of getting rid of your house pet, keeping the home clean so the dander and fir of your cat is not as accessible is a good move. Also brushing your housecat will keep the excess reside from her down. The worst case is you may have to limit how much you hold your sweet cat or allow her to lick you to cut down on the irritation that her saliva might bring which will result in cat allergy symptoms. It is up to you to experiment with ways to control your reaction to the allergens in your cat and to make that final decision about whether you can live with cat allergy symptoms or if Tabby has to go live somewhere else.
|