How to Treat Feline Allergies
If you already suffer from allergies or asthma, feline allergies are fairly common. The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America estimates that 15 to 30 percent of people with existing allergies are also allergic to their favorite dog or cat. While the best way to treat feline allergies is to avoid exposure to cats entirely, minimizing exposure to cat dander and receiving proper medical treatment may be sufficient for those with moderate allergies.
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Things You'll Need
- Prescription or over-the-counter drugs recommended by your doctor
- HEPA-filtered vacuum
- HEPA air cleaner and/or anti-allergen air-conditioning/heating filters
- Allergen-neutralizing laundry detergents and cleaning products
- Allergen barriers for mattresses and pillows
Instructions
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Treating Yourself
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Consult with your doctor. A physician may be able to make a tentative diagnosis of feline allergies based on a description of your symptoms. But referral to an allergist to pursue allergy testing may be necessary to make an affirmative diagnosis.
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Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots) as a long-term method to treat feline allergies. The Mayo Clinic states that immunotherapy initially exposes you to a small amount of the protein that causes an allergic response, usually once or twice weekly. For a three- to six-month period, the dose is increased, followed by maintenance shots, which may be given once a month for the next three to five years.
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Ask your doctor about allergy medications that can treat feline allergies. These may include oral antihistamines and decongestants and nasal corticosteroids. If asthma is a component of the allergy, long- and short-term asthma medications may be prescribed.
Manage Feline Allergies in the Home
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Keep your pet outdoors, advises the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. If this isn't possible, restrict your cat to certain rooms in the home. (Avoid letting your cat sleep in your bedroom or on your bed.)
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Eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting, cloth curtains and other soft furnishings. Feline dander is sticky and can cling to any surface. Hard surfaces are easier to clean. The ACAAI recommends using cleaning products that neutralize pet dander.
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Conduct thorough vacuuming of your home if carpet removal isn't possible or if you choose to keep upholstered furniture. A vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter works best to pick up very small particles.
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Keep on top of air quality. The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America advises purchasing a HEPA-filtered air cleaner and using it for at least four hours a day, even if you have central air and heating. Use of electrostatic filters also removes larger particles of airborne dander.
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Keep your bedding clean. Pet dander is difficult to remove entirely, but laundry detergents made to neutralize allergens may be helpful. Consider placing allergen barriers on pillows and mattresses.
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Bathe your cat frequently, urges the ACAAI. This task should be done by someone without feline allergies. Alternately, you may choose to take your cat to a professional groomer.
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Tips & Warnings
Allergy testing is a minimally invasive procedure and can be done through a skin-prick test or through blood testing.
