How to Survive Cat Allergies

Cats can be the source of indoor allergies.

Many people suffer from cat allergies because of a protein present in the cat's saliva. The protein is deposited all over the cat's fur from grooming. It's also on household surfaces and even people when the cats rub their faces against them to attach their scent.

Instructions

1. Don't let your cat sleep in your bedroom. You can also confine your cat to one area of the house, or allow it to be a mostly outdoor cat to minimize allergens in the areas of the house you spend the most time in.

2. Clean surfaces in your house regularly that the cat frequents, such as a cat bed or the couch.

3. Clean your cat's fur gently once a month with distilled water. When she grooms herself, her saliva dries on her fur and forms dandruff. The dandruff is then spread around the house and on to you when you pet her. Cleaning her monthly will remove this excess and limit the allergen.

4. Use an air filter to purify the air in your home and filter out some of the floating allergens.

5. Try an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine to relieve symptoms. If all of the above options fail, but you don't want to find your cat a new home, over-the-counter medicines are an option for getting rid of the symptoms the allergens cause. Find decongestants and antihistamines at your local drugstore and follow dosing instructions carefully.

Tips & Warnings

• Daily usage of a saline sinus rinse also may help alleviate allergy symptoms.

References

• WebMD: Cat Allergies
• Messy Beast: Help! I'm Allergic to the Cat