How to Deal With Cat Allergies
I spend at least an hour a day browsing my Instagram feed looking at pictures of cats. I send friends pictures of cute rescue cats with names like “Moo” and “Bath Mat”. I also ask people a lot about their cats. “Does she shed a lot? Can you send me photos? “The fact is that I have a strong allergy to cats . If I pet my friend Suvi’s cat, Graham, my eyes will close. If I stay in the room with Graham for too long, I’ll have trouble breathing.
I’ve always wanted a cat, and more recently I felt like I was resigned to existence without my own Graham. What can you do to deal with cat allergies as a potential owner? It turns out yes, but there is still a long way to go.
Confirm your allergy with a doctor
According to David Erstein, an allergist at Allergy and Asthma Wellness , Advanced Dermatology and NYC HHC, if you’re not sure if you’re allergic to cats, there are usually pretty obvious symptoms.
“If you walk into a house with cats, feel uncomfortable, feel overwhelmed or sneeze, chances are you have an allergy,” he said. “Some people may have other reactions, including asthma. This is where we get into bigger problems. “
But if you want to be 100% absolutely sure, your best bet is to see your doctor. “The easiest way is to see an allergist for a quick allergy test,” he said. “The test can be done in a couple of minutes, and in about 20-30 minutes you can determine if you have an allergy. This is a fairly safe test and the most objective way to get a professional’s opinion. “
Once you’ve confirmed this with an allergy test, it’s up to you whether to adopt or not to sneeze. And if you decide to accept anyway, there are strategies you can use to lessen your nightmarish reactions.
Use preventive reduction strategies
So, you are allergic and you have just adopted a rescue cat. The next few steps should be to start practicing good allergy reduction strategies that include setting up your home properly, according to Erstein.
“First, you need to establish some ground rules with your cat,” he said. Make sure the cat has no leeway in the house. Keep them away from places like your bedroom so you don’t have to sleep in a room filled with cat dandruff.
The next step is to purchase an air purifier with a high efficiency particulate filter (HEPA). Devices with a HEPA filter help remove allergens from the air. “Cat dandruff is one of the smallest types of allergens. He flies very much and stays in the air for some time, ”Erstein said. “This air purifier will be able to filter out this dandruff. He has to work non-stop in [your] house. “
Finally, bathe your cat once or twice a week, if possible, to reduce dandruff. Yes, for some cat owners, bathing is just a death wish, so only do it if you don’t risk getting hurt. And of course, wash your hands whenever possible. “Things cats are allergic to can be in their skin, fur or saliva,” he said. “Be sure to wash your hands and do not touch your eyes, otherwise you will suffer.”
Use over-the-counter medications
Your next step is to try over-the-counter medications, according to Erstein. “People can take oral antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays on a daily basis,” he said. “Medicines are generally like patches for symptoms. They don’t really do anything to solve the problem of people’s sensitivity. ” If over-the-counter medications don’t work, you can also see an allergist who will prescribe nasal sprays or other medications for you.
If you’re wondering if it’s bad to rely on some of these OTC drugs for a long time, don’t worry too much: “These drugs have been around for a long time and they are well tolerated,” Erstein said. “There are rare side effects; sometimes people get very tired or it makes people tired. But if you’re willing to put up with it, people can tolerate it, although you’re not going to be 100%. “
Get allergy shots
If you want to try something a little more radical, Erstein recommended seeing a doctor for allergy shots or immunotherapy. “Basically, we are giving you allergy vaccinations in very small amounts (or micro doses), and every time we give you a higher concentration, we increase the amount that your body carries, almost like a vaccine,” he said. … “We call it disease change. This is a very good way to strengthen the immune system so that people develop a tolerance for what they are allergic to. “
However, these frames are time consuming and not always reliable. “It will be months before you start to feel the benefits,” he said. “The standard treatment is once a week for six to seven months or so. After all, you come once a month. It’s not permanent, but if you want lasting change, we recommend people stay with it for three to five years. I can’t say it helps everyone, but we say it helps about 80% of people [and] the good thing is that it also helps the situation not get worse. “
Don’t believe the hypoallergenic cat hype
While you may have heard of some cat breeds that are better at handling your allergies, for the most part it doesn’t really matter. “Unfortunately, [a hypoallergenic cat] doesn’t really exist,” Erstein said. “There are reports that some cats, like the cat, may release more allergens, but in general, they are all going to have that dandruff that you react to. Most allergists will just say ‘fingers crossed’.
As far as developing immunity (or allergies) for cats down the road is concerned, it is possible, although it is mostly a gray area. However, building immunity with allergy shots is a better solution than hoping you can develop it through exposure.
Do a test run before commit
If you’re still unsure whether to get a cat, the best way to understand how you really feel is to spend more time with it. “You want to sit with the cat, if you can, for a couple of weeks, just to see how things are going,” Erstein said. “Take antihistamines daily, keep a nasal spray handy and see how you are doing. If this is tolerable, then you can say to yourself, “I agree with that.” And if it’s unbearable, or if your symptoms are more severe, then you really have to ask the question, “Do I want a cat enough?” “
At the end of the trial period of owning a cat, you may find that your allergies are a factor, but the opposite is possible, according to Erstein. “I have a lot of patients who are ready [to adopt a cat anyway],” he said. “They love the cat so much, and I understand, totally love – it’s a difficult decision.”
This article was originally published on April 12, 2019. It was updated on May 11, 2021 with the addition of a new photo, new links, and to reflect the current Lifehacker style guidelines.