Do hypoallergenic cats even exist? 3 myths dispelled about cat allergy symptoms

Cats are nice companions, however for some individuals their firm comes at a value. As much as 1 in 5 individuals have an allergic response to cats, and this determine is growing.

There are a lot of myths about allergy symptoms to cats, however what’s truth and what’s fiction? And might you continue to have a cat should you’re allergic?

Fantasy #1: Persons are allergic to cat hair

There is a component of reality to this delusion. Nonetheless, reasonably than the hair itself, substances on the hair are the supply of the allergy. Most individuals allergic to cats react to a protein known as Fel d 1. This essential cat allergen is produced within the glands of the cat, together with the sebaceous (oil-producing pores and skin glands) and salivary glands.

Whereas Fel d1 is the primary perpetrator, home cats have eight totally different potential allergens. The second most typical is Fel d 4, additionally produced in salivary glands.

One other kind, Fel d 2, is much like a protein present in different animals, and the rationale an individual is likely to be allergic, for instance, to each cats and horses. This similarity may also end in a baby with milk allergy having an elevated threat of being allergic to animals like cats.

When cats groom themselves, they deposit the allergen of their saliva onto their hair. Sebaceous glands are near the pores and skin and may secrete onto the hair follicles. If you pet a cat’s fur, a response is ready off, particularly should you then rub your nostril or eyes.

However you don’t must pet a cat to have an allergic response to them. Merely being round dander will be sufficient. Dander may sound like a relationship app for pets, but it surely’s really extra akin to animal dandruff, and accommodates tiny scales from hair or pores and skin. As dander particles are so small, they float within the air and we frequently breathe them in.

Fantasy #2: There are hypoallergenic cats

There isn’t a proof that particular cat breeds don’t trigger allergy symptoms. Nonetheless, if some breeds have much less hair, or shed much less hair, this may occasionally cut back publicity to allergens within the surroundings.

For instance, Sphynx cats are hairless, though they nonetheless produce Fel d 1. On this manner some breeds is likely to be thought-about “hypoallergenic”, or trigger fewer allergic reactions. Nonetheless, there aren’t any scientific research to substantiate that is the case.

All cats produce Fel d 1, however the ranges can differ by as a lot as 100-fold between particular person cats. This may increasingly clarify why individuals with cat allergy symptoms discover they react extra to some cats than others.

Fantasy #3: You need to re-home your cat you probably have an allergy

When you have a life-threatening allergy to cats, your solely various is likely to be to search out them a brand new house. Nonetheless, most individuals have much less extreme reactions and may handle signs efficiently.

Some issues you are able to do to restrict reactions embody:

• all the time wash your palms and keep away from touching your face and eyes after dealing with your cat

• frequently clear surfaces and alter litter to scale back dander

• wash your cat weekly with a pet-specific shampoo, if your cat likes being bathed

• prohibit cats’ entry to rooms you need to preserve allergy-free, such because the bed room

• get a vacuum particularly designed for decreasing allergens, corresponding to ones with a HEPA filter

• use air purifiers with HEPA filters.

Adopting a cat when allergic

For those who’re allergic and need to undertake a cat, be certain that to spend a while with them first to evaluate your response. Ideally, decide a cat that doesn’t make you sneeze.

If cats have to be re-homed, this does negatively have an effect on their welfare. A big research of RSPCA shelters in Australia reported allergy as the rationale for relinquishment in roughly 3% of cats out of 61,755 complete relinquished between 2006 and 2010.

You too can see your physician about choices for managing signs corresponding to over-the-counter medicines (corresponding to antihistamines) and long term options.

For these with allergy symptoms who need to have their cat and their capability to breathe too, another choice is immunotherapy, though there’s restricted proof to assist this therapy for cat allergy symptoms.

Immunotherapy includes first figuring out which particular allergen is inflicting the reactions, after which systematically delivering growing ranges of this allergen over a number of months in an effort to retrain the immune system to tolerate the allergen and not using a response. This can be particularly useful for these with average to extreme reactions.

Learn extra:
I’m contemplating allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I must know?

There’s proof publicity to canines and cats early in life can cut back a minimum of some types of allergy. Proof continues to be conflicting, although, and possibly will depend on genetics and different environmental components.

What we do know is that pet cats present companionship and pleasure to many, and understanding the causes and therapy of pet allergy can solely assist each cats and people.