Does engaging with your feline pet cause you to cry tears of suffering rather than happy tears? Do you have a runny nose, rash, hives, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, asthma, or other breathing difficulties in addition to itchy, watery eyes?
Cat hair, contrary to common perception, is not allergic. Cat allergies are caused by a protein called Fel d 1, which is present in the sebaceous glands of cats. When cats bathe themselves, the protein attaches itself to dry skin, known as dander, which flakes off and floats through the air. Although you may never be able to completely remove your allergy symptoms, following these tips can help you deal with cat allergies.
KEEP YOUR CAT OUT OF THE BEDROOM
Designate your bedroom as a cat-free zone. You may be used to snuggling with your cat in bed, but if you're allergic, sleeping with your cat will create serious difficulties. Keeping your cat out of your bedroom won't completely eradicate allergies, but it will dramatically reduce them, allowing you to breathe (and, perhaps, sleep) peacefully.
2. IMPROVING THE AIR QUALITY IN YOUR HOME BY FILTERING
It's common knowledge that using an air filter may help minimize allergies, and it makes perfect sense! Choose a filter or filters that are suitable for the size of your house, and make sure to follow the directions for installing and replacing the filters. Also, be sure to change your furnace's filter on a regular basis.
3. REGULARLY VACUUM AND DUST
Vacuuming and dusting may help keep cat dander to a minimum in your home, and they don't have to be time-consuming duties! Use particle-trapping dusting methods (such as dusting cloths or damp-dusting when suitable) and a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner, which you should update on a regular basis. Otherwise, cleaning will release cat dander into the air, aggravating your allergies.
4. REMOVE RUGS AND CARPETS
Even when vacuumed regularly, rugs and carpets can store cat dander and trigger allergic reactions. Rolling up rugs is a quick fix, but replacing carpets with choices like hardwood, laminate, or tile will reduce the quantity of dander in your house over time. If you like soft flooring, consider using area rugs and having them professionally cleaned regularly. Cat dander won't have a chance to accumulate too much in the carpet fibers this way.
5. MEDICINES FOR YOU TO CONSIDER
Consult your doctor or allergist about antihistamines to aid with allergy problems. Be careful to validate the nature of your allergy with your doctor - knowing that you respond to saliva more than dander, for example, might help you lessen the problem! If you've just recently started experiencing symptoms, it's worth scheduling an appointment simply to be sure you're responding to your cat and not anything else.
Having or acquiring allergies, especially when they are caused by your cat, may be difficult and unpleasant. These strategies will assist you in determining how to care for yourself, your cat, and your house so that you can spend many happy (and less sneezy or itchy) years together.