Natural Cat Allergy Remedy
An allergy to cats, which is caused by a cat glycoprotein Fel d 1 from the saliva, can lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion; sneezing; difficulty breathing; red, itchy, watery eyes; wheezing and coughing. While there is no proven complete cure for an allergy to cats, there are ways to lessen the effects and to enjoy your cat again.
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Treating the Symptoms
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Natural herbal cures are often unproven by enough clinical studies to be approved by the FDA. Please consult a doctor before adding herbs to your diet. Eucalyptus has been used in natural cold and cough remedies, oils, liniments and chest rubs to calm coughs and relieve nasal congestion. Alfalfa can help the itching, runny nose and sneezing of allergic rhinitis (hayfever). Licorice root has been used to help with coughs for many years, though it may affect high blood pressure. Other herbs that have been mentioned in the same breath as anti-allergy are lobelia, stinging nettles, eyebright, horehound, fenugreek, cayenne, rosehips, astragalus, Irish moss and mullein. Taking a multivitamin can also ensure that you are not deficient in any important immune system areas such as selenium, vitamin A, and zinc.
Treating the Allergy
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Apple cider vinegar has been linked to many healing properties, one of which is its supposed ability to treat allergies developed from exposure to pets. It is rich in various vitamins, soothes sore throats, and, in the form of a chest compress, can shorten the duration of colds. Immunotherapy is the concept behind allergy shots, which expose a patient to the factors causing the allergy in an attempt to get them over their symptoms. This should only be performed with the help of a doctor. There are several theoretical practices involving energy healing and cat allergies. A doctor of alternative health will hold a vial that contains the allergen in question, while adjusting acupuncture points. This is an attempt to remove the sensitivity of the patient and to restore balance in the patient's energy field.
House Ground Rules
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Always wash your hands after handling a cat and never touch your face or your eyes. Keep your cat restricted to certain areas in the house and ensure that it does not go into the bedroom and especially not on the bed. Use allergen-resistant materials on your couch and bed. Have somebody who is not allergic bathe and groom your cat weekly. Use a vacuum and an air purifier with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to remove the cat dander from the air.
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