Allergies to cats are more common than people think. If you have a cat and want to know the cat allergies then you can simply see from us. Here we will explain what cat allergies are there, what are the causes, the symptoms that you can do to fight them and also we will tell you about some hypoallergenic cats breeds that can be a nice option for those allergic cat lovers. See our article completely and know more about them.
In fact the allergies to cats are usually doubly common compared to those produced by cats. It can also happen that the symptoms appear over time and you do not start sharing with a cat. If you see the cat allergies symptoms then it is must to avoid the allergies in cats and cure them as soon as possible.
That is the immune system develops this rejection of the allergen over time. For this reason it can happen that you begin to have constant sneezing, watery eyes and itchy nose among other symptoms. And do not understand why or what is the cause. See the article below and know more about it.
Contents
What Are Allergies
The Allergies are an over reaction and disproportionate elements that are considered by the body as foreign “allergens” generating a defense response of the immune system.
Causes of Cat Allergy
A recent investigation by the University of Cambridge about the causes of allergies to cats suggested that an environmental toxin of bacterial origin could be the main cause of triggering with greater intensity an immune response of the organism to the protein which is present in the saliva and hair of cats and which affects about 30% of the population.
Well the study found that when the Fel D1 protein present in the saliva, skin and sebaceous glands of felines comes into contact with the organism in the presence of an environmental bacterial toxin causes the allergic response which was more intense.
They were also able to identify the part of the immune system that recognizes them, the TLR4 receptors and which triggers the subsequent allergic reaction. The final key has been that by inhibiting the response of this receptor with drugs have been able to block the effects of the protein and therefore the allergic reaction did not occur in this case.
Symptoms of Cat Allergies
The symptoms that cause cats to suffer from allergies are sneezing, red eyes and itching, irritated skin where the cat has previously touched you, mucus, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, asthma or even skin rashes, dermatitis and urticaria.
The symptoms if allergic to cats can appear or manifest both immediately when there is contact with a cat or it may also appear after a few minutes and in some people a couple of hours.
Cats that do not give Allergies or Hypoallergenic
The allergy to cats as we mentioned earlier is due to the rejection of the Fel D1 protein by the immune system, as it was shown that this protein is responsible for allergies in 80% of cases. Which is produced by the body of cats. This protein is found in your skin and saliva for this reason a person allergic to cats will trigger several of the symptoms in case a cat approaches, touches or licks its skin.
We must clarify that the protein Fel D1, is produced by all cats it is a genetic issue. However there are cats that produce it in much less quantity than others. The so called Hypoallergenic cats.
Usually you have the wrong paradigm that believes that allergies to cats are produced by the hair of the animal. But it is not like that because the allergen is present is in your skin. This is why many people make the mistake of buying or adopting a kitten Sphynx or other breeds of hairless cats, with the belief that they will not cause allergic reactions and on the contrary it may be worse. Because there is no hair the skin of the cat has direct contact with the skin of the person who adopts it. Causing severe allergic reactions.
The Siberian cat and allergies
When talking about Hypoallergenic cats, we refer specifically to the Siberian cat. Well studies have been conducted that show that they produce the allergic protein Fel D1 in much less quantity than other cats. This breed of cats is particularly beautiful and are medium in size like a munchkin cat and have a nice long mane. If you are interested in knowing more about this breed, you can know more.
Vaccine Against Cat Allergy
In 2011 a group of researchers headed by the immunologist Mark Larche made known the formula of a vaccine against the allergy to cats in which they had been working for 10 years. They tested by taking samples of the Fel D1 protein along with blood samples from more than 100 people who had cat allergies. In this way they discovered the parts of the protein that activated the immune cells or defenses of the organism.
This vaccine is applied in small doses and between 4 and 8 doses may be necessary for one year. This depending on the reaction of each patient. However Larche reported that the exact dose would be determined in the next phase of the investigation, where tests will be done with a greater number of allergic people with respect to the initial investigation.
Tips to Prevent Allergic Reactions to Cats
For all cat lovers the presence of their cat children in their lives is very important. Because of this when they develop allergic attacks themselves or a family member, the situation becomes a serious problem. For this reason in catsfud we want to give you some tips that can help prevent the allergic reactions that cats produce.
- Take care of your cat’s hygiene. You must be sure to clean it regularly. Combining it to remove excess dead hair and cleaning your body with special wipes for them in order to remove dirt and also decrease the accumulation of protein secreted by your skin.
- Avoid the entrance of your cat to your room and especially get on the bed.
- Improve the cleanliness of your home, vacuuming furniture, sofas, carpets and especially keeping the cleanliness of the areas where your cat transits as well as in your sandbox, toys and other utensils. In case the allergic person is the same person who cleans, we recommend doing it using a mask.
- You can use some antihistamines used to reduce the symptoms of cat allergies. And also nasal decongestants. However we recommend consulting with your family doctor or allergist.
- Apply Vetriderm, a Bayer pharmaceutical spray that you can apply on your cat. Which helps to inhibit allergens. But it is better to check with your veterinarian first.
- You can also try some natural remedies that can work as antiseptics or can help reduce itchy skin such as eucalyptus, flax seeds, alfalfa, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera and oats.
This information is indicative and never optional. If you have any doubt or question, ask your veterinarian or general practitioner, who will be the best to advise you on this subject.
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Conclusion
It is important to look for all possible alternatives to solve the problems caused by allergies caused by your cat because this situation can damage the coexistence in the home. For this reason we hope that the article has been useful to you and our advice can help you. Do not forget to share it on social networks, if you have found it interesting.
