Cat Allergy and Asthma

An allergic reaction to a cat can trigger an asthma attack.

Among people with allergies, as many as 30 percent will have allergic reactions to pets, including dogs and cats. Pet allergies are common in people who have asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, if you have an allergic reaction to a cat, your allergies could also trigger an asthma attack.

Cat Allergy

Allergies to cats are about twice as common as allergies to dogs. If you are allergic to cats, your immune system reacts to proteins known as allergens that are found in a cat's saliva, urine and dander. These proteins are harmless to people who are not allergic. Symptoms of a cat allergy include itching, swelling eyes and a running nose. If you inhale allergens, you could experience breathing problems like coughing and shortness of breath.

Asthma

In asthma, inflammation occurs in the airways within your lungs. This leads to constriction in the airways, as well as the production of mucus within them, which combine to make breathing difficult. In mild cases, you could wheeze. More severe asthma attacks have the potential to be deadly. While asthma cannot be cured, it can be managed by avoiding things that trigger asthma attacks, says the Mayo Clinic.

Connection

Coming in contact with a cat and its allergens can set off a serious asthma attack in 20 to 30 percent of people with asthma. Your body can react to the presence of an allergen with inflammation in your airways, just as it does during an asthma attack. If you have cat allergies and are often exposed to cat allergens, you are at risk for developing chronic asthma.

Treatment

Cat allergies are best treated by avoiding all contact with cats. This includes not having any in your home and avoiding visiting homes that have cats living in them. Most people who do this do not need medication to treat cat allergies or related asthma attacks. Allergy shots to control your allergy to cats might reduce your asthma symptoms when you are exposed to cats.

Considerations

If you have a cat and do not want to give it up, reducing your exposure to its allergens could help your allergies and your asthma. Removing furniture and carpets in which allergens can be trapped can help keep your home healthier. Ask someone else to clean out your cat's litter box and brush its fur. Wearing a dust mask while cleaning and vacuuming can also reduce your exposure to allergens.

References

• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Pet Allergies
• Mayo Clinic: Allergies and Asthma
• Mayo Clinic: Asthma