Cat Dander Allergies Are a Time-Old Problem
Cat dander allergies are not new phenomena – people have been sneezing, wheezing, itching for centuries in the presence of our feline friends. The allergic reaction response varies from person to person and is largely related to the genetics of the cat and the genetics of the ‘human’. This complex interrelationship of feline and man allows a person to be more allergic to ‘this’ cat than to ‘that’ cat, which makes this a difficult problem to treat.
Many Myths About Hypoallergenic Cats
There are many myths and urban legends that surround this whole topic of cat dander allergies. Why, even the pop TV show ‘Friends’ spun a tale about a fictional breed of cat called the ‘Allergy-Free Egyptian Hairless Cat’. The marketplace went wild after the episode aired and many Egyptian Hairless Cats were purchased (and later disposed of) by people looking for a marriage of two great desires – to have a kitty and to not suffer.
We Have a Love-Affair with Felines
Here is the crux of the problem. God created a creature so fascinating, so unique, and so incredibly fun that humans want to have them as pets. Even mighty, Egyptian kings gave prominence to these furry, purring creatures. There is something very special about these fur balls of independence.
It All Comes Down to Cat Proteins
So what is the cause of these cat dander allergies? Well, it is predominantly caused by a protein called ‘Fel d 1′, which is found on the surface of a cat’s skin, urine, mucous as well as in a cat’s saliva, secreted by the sebaceous glands. So you see, short-hair or long-hair, it makes no difference – all cats produce this protein. Long-haired cats have been linked to increased allergy symptoms for many of the wrong reasons – the allergen was thought to be from their long fur. In reality, their long hair was simply more surface area on which the saliva dander could collect – more fur meant more dander. And more dander meant more allergens.
Geneticists have been exploring the options of altering the Fel d 1 protein in order to neutralize its allergen characteristics. However, this practice has been met with resistance from animal rights groups because the Fel d 1 protein plays a critical part in managing a cat’s metabolism. The long term affects are just not known at this time.
The Cat Allergy Relief Solution
So, we have this fatal attraction with our favorite allergy-causing felines – how do we have our cake and eat it too? It’s quite simple actually. You must eliminate the residue of the cat – this ‘Fel d 1′ protein. That means the dander must be contained and disposed of before coming into contact with an allergy sufferer. This means regular kitty baths – I can hear the scowls now. In addition, any surface that is frequented by our cats needs to be sanitized continually. The use of vapor steam cleaners is recommended for the carpets and upholstery. Also, it is recommended quality HEPA air filters be used in rooms where you kitty visits. It’s really common sense stuff.
Isolation is another way to fight the problem – keep kitty out of the sleep areas of the house. This is tough to do, especially if you love to snuggle with ‘fluffy’ at night, but this is a sacrifice worth making.
Of course, many also rely on cat allergy relief by the use of antihistamines. However, it is far better to eliminate the root cause of the allergic response than to just mask over the symptoms.
Try before you Buy
If you are a perspective cat owner, it is wise to ‘try before you buy’ before embarking on a feline purchase or adoption. Spend a significant amount of time around a ‘cat’ house if you can, just so you can a least know what you are up against.
If you are a perspective cat owner, it is wise to ‘try before you buy’ before embarking on a feline purchase or adoption. Spend a significant amount of time around a ‘cat’ house if you can, just so you can a least know what you are up against.
Test before you Rid
If you are already a cat owner and are suffering, take the courses of action that I’ve recommended before tossing kitty out on his ear. If you still find no relief, consider having your doctor run some tests between you and your cat to see if ‘Fluffy’ is really the problem. You may even want to board ‘Fluffy’ for a couple weeks, just to see if your cat dander allergy symptoms subside. Remember, many discarded kitties end up euthanized, so make this decision carefully. Adopting or purchasing that bundle of furry joy should be done with eyes wide open. The more you know the facts, the happier you will all be, together!