If a person is allergic to cats. Why cat allergy is terrible: the consequences of it in adults and children

Pets make people kinder, cheer up, calm down, charge with positive. Everyone knows about the benefits of living in a house of fluffy (and not so) creatures. Unfortunately, along with the joy of communicating with an animal, negative things are sometimes noted.

Allergies to cats are common. Allergic reactions to animal hair cross out all the "pluses", give the owners a lot of trouble. Is it really necessary to give the cat in good hands? Is it possible to protect loved ones from allergy manifestations? Let's figure it out.

Causes

Hypersensitivity in most cases causes hereditary predisposition. If you are allergic to cat hair and other pets, you can say with a high degree of probability that the children of allergic parents will also suffer from unpleasant symptoms.

Provoking factors:

weakened immune system, severe chronic diseases;
age: in young children, signs of allergies are more common than in older ones.

Misconceptions and myths

Most people believe that the cause of allergic reactions of this type is the hair of a pet. It is worth getting a "bald" cat - and you can forget about allergies forever. It's time to dispel this myth!

In fact, things are a little different:

pathology is provoked not by wool, but by skin protein, secretions of sebaceous and anal glands, saliva of the animal;
cats are very clean, wash, lick the hair several times a day. During each “procedure”, saliva, skin particles cover everything around with the smallest particles;
now you know that the cause of sneezing, coughing, lacrimation upon contact with an animal is not wool, but a glycoprotein. The complete absence of hair does not solve the problem.

Interesting fact! After long and persistent breeding developments in England, cat breeds that did not cause allergies were bred. Of course, the animal is not 100% hypoallergenic, and the price bites. For example, Devon Rex and Anisha kittens can be purchased for 1,000 euros. Expensive pleasure, unfortunately, is beyond the reach of most citizens. We have to look for another way out.

Symptoms and manifestation of the disease

The number, strength of unpleasant symptoms depends on the state of the immune defense. Symptoms were noted both immediately after contact with a pet, and after a few hours.

The main signs and symptoms of a cat allergy are:

nasal congestion;
swelling on the face;
cough;
eye irritation, swelling of the eyelids, profuse lacrimation;
wheezing, shortness of breath;
irritation, redness in places of scratches or bites;
runny nose (allergic rhinitis).

General well-being worsens:

sleep is disturbed;
irritability appears;
there is a loss of strength;
immunity decreases.

Quite rare:

or giant;
anaphylactic shock.

These symptoms require taking an antihistamine, calling an ambulance, and immediate hospitalization. Delay, improper first aid can cause death.

Folk remedies and recipes

Consult with an allergist. Your doctor may recommend herbal teas for lotions, compresses, tinctures, or other home remedies. If you found recipes on your own, be sure to check if herbal remedies are suitable.

How to cure cat allergies at home? Proven Recipes:

chamomile decoction. The tool is indispensable for itching, rashes, irritation of the skin for washing, lotions, dousing. Pour into a jar 2 tbsp. l. dry raw materials, add 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew. Strain the finished broth after 40-45 minutes. Use a folk remedy 3-4 times a day;

nettle decoction. An excellent blood cleanser will help relieve painful symptoms faster. Pour a tablespoon of nettle into 1 liter of water, boil, keep on fire for 5 minutes, set aside. After an hour, the broth is ready for use. Drink a teaspoon 4 times a day (before meals).

Allergy to cats in children

The main causes of increased sensitivity of the body in babies:

weak immune system;

hereditary predisposition.

The danger of an allergy is that bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity to dust (household) mites often develop simultaneously with it. Getting rid of a complex problem is difficult.

Important! The smaller the child, the higher the risk of allergic reactions, including to wool. If before the age of 14-15 the child did not have negative reactions due to the presence of a pet in the house, the likelihood of their occurrence in the future is extremely low.

The main signs of intolerance to cat secretions, saliva, urine are similar to the manifestations of allergies in adults. Children, especially small ones, become irritable, capricious. Lachrymation, runny nose interfere with normal life.

Parents should be alert:

sudden redness of the eyes;

clear discharge from the nose;

swelling of the nasal passages, face, eyelids;

sneezing, coughing.

Most often, symptoms occur after visiting people who have pets. If a cat lives with you all the time, it means that negative reactions were provoked by a sharp decrease in immunity. The child must have had a serious illness recently.

Often a decrease in immunity causes:

deterioration in the quality of nutrition;

limiting exposure to fresh air;

avitaminosis;

violation of the daily routine;

lack of sleep, high workload at school;

decreased motor activity;

ecological problems.

What to do about cat allergies in children:

similar drugs are recommended as for adults, but adjusted for age;

antihistamines, decongestants are required.

Help:

nasal sprays for children;

eye drops;

enterosorbents.

Note! Chamomile decoction will help relieve itching, irritation on the skin. Be sure to give your child purified water to remove toxins.

If allergy attacks recur, you will have to give away your pet, otherwise bronchial asthma may develop. In children, this disease often occurs with complications.

Don't risk your child's health. Many children find it difficult to be separated from an animal, but this sacrifice will have to be made. Compensate for the absence of a pet with interesting activities, offer a new hobby to distract from sad thoughts. For older children, explain why you had to part with your pet.

Preventive measures

Remember a few rules:

strengthen immunity. A strong body is less susceptible to various allergens;

regularly do wet cleaning in the apartment;

replace the carpet with linoleum or laminate to prevent the accumulation of dust and other irritants;

if you have a cat, bathe it with special shampoos. Check the frequency of water procedures with your veterinarian;

regularly remove wool from shelves, tables, nightstands, bedspreads, all places where cats like to rest;

use air purifiers, ionizers. So you minimize the impact of cat saliva, secretions, hair;

closely monitor the condition of loved ones and children. If you suspect an allergy, visit a doctor, follow his recommendations.

Read all rules and advice. Before buying a cat, go to friends, chat with the pet. Watch how the body reacts to contact with a pet. Only in the absence of allergic reactions, get a cat, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of an allergy to wool.

Next video. An allergist will tell you even more details about allergies to pets:

Think cats are cute? There are several types of allergies that will make you doubt it.

Almost all people love animals, and many people are completely delighted with cats. However, these fluffy creatures are the most dangerous pets in terms of allergenicity. Neither dogs, nor birds, nor rodents cause such a violent reaction in an allergic person as cats.

Even bald breeds, which are regarded by many as safe, can make you suffer no less than furry pets. In fact, an allergy to cats is a type of allergy that is not divided into subspecies, but conditionally, several varieties of pet intolerance can be distinguished.

Most often, this feature of the body manifests itself in childhood. Rarely do children manage to resist the temptation to stroke a furry creature or test its strength while adults are not watching. Therefore, parents notice alarming bells after the first contact of the child with the cat.

The fault is the immune system, which is responsible for separating all substances that enter the body into safe and threatening health. When the immune system comes face to face with the allergen, it communicates information about it to all other cells so that the next time they come into contact, they are ready to repel the attack.

Scientists have not yet been able to understand why cats cause only warm feelings in some people, while others are forced to frantically grab antihistamines to suppress the symptoms that have arisen.

Important! Gradually, the number of allergy sufferers is growing, which is associated with poor ecology, bad habits and malnutrition.

More than half of people with animal intolerance are allergic to cats. Moreover, the symptoms manifest themselves much brighter, because these animals are in closer contact with humans. They are stroked, played with, they are even allowed into bed and on their own pillow, and sometimes they themselves decide to lie on their master's lap.

In the body of cats, the Fel D1 protein is produced, which is responsible for the development of an allergic reaction. It is he who is to blame for the fact that an allergic person has an uncontrollable desire to sneeze, cry or cough, but wool has nothing to do with this. It acts only as an intermediary through which the allergen enters the environment.

The protein is found in the natural secretions of the animal, in its saliva and skin. Hairless cat breeds have all this, so even they are dangerous for an allergic person. There are only some breeds that produce less protein, so they cause a less violent immune response, but there are no absolutely safe cats.

An allergy can also occur in an adult, even if from childhood he lived in the same house with a whole company of assorted animals. This can happen after diseases that affect the immune system, after severe stress, or for other external reasons. The most prone to this are those people who had allergies in their family, and it is not necessary that animals are their risk factor.

Classification by type of allergen

In all cases, the Fel D1 protein becomes the culprit of the allergic reaction. The only difference is in what particles it is contained. This does not affect the symptoms in any way, but the severity of the reaction will be different, since the protein concentration is not always the same.

The allergen is found in the saliva of cats. Despite the fact that their tongue seems dry and rough, they, like other animals, produce saliva. It is involved in the process of digestion, protects the oral cavity from the effects of bacteria and performs a practical function - it helps pets to wash themselves.

Important! Cat saliva is unique in its composition, it has been proven that it promotes accelerated wound healing and renewal of human epidermal cells.

However, many parents tell their children from an early age not to let a cat lick you as it is not hygienic. It is believed that bacteria may be present in the animal's mouth, which do not mind passing to a person if the pet licks it.

In addition, some people are used to playing with cats with their hands, allowing themselves to be scratched, albeit slightly. Since the animal washes its paw, particles of saliva remain on it. If the cat then scratches the person, then a small amount of the allergen will penetrate into his blood. This is unlikely to cause a serious reaction, but for sure the skin around the wound will at least turn red and swell.

The second type of allergen is cat urine. A person does not contact it directly, but its effect on the body is still there, although we do not feel it. First, when the animal has used the toilet, urine particles evaporate into the air, which can be seen by the characteristic unpleasant odor. This is felt especially clearly if a low-quality filler is used that does not completely retain moisture.

Secondly, the cat steps into the tray with its paws, and then buries the products of its vital activity. The animal does not think about the fact that the filler is already dirty - you just need to wash yourself after visiting the toilet, and there will be no problem. But on the paws, urine particles still remain, which penetrate the human body in the same ways as saliva.

The third type of allergen is the skin, or rather its dead cells. As in other animals, epithelial particles die off over time, making room for new ones, and form dandruff. A person does not see it, but it falls on the hairs of an animal, and then, together with them, spreads through the surrounding space when they fall out.

It is for this reason that people began to think that an allergy is caused by animal hair, because an allergy attack most often occurs when it comes into contact with cat hairs. But even bald breeds are covered with skin, and it is even better to see how it peels off and dies off.

In addition, the chemicals contained in the animal's feed may be to blame. Usually they are present in products of cheap brands, which can not always boast of their naturalness. If you feel allergy attacks after you put your pet to eat, then the food may be to blame.

Another option is an allergy to the substances contained in the toilet filler. In this case, too, everything is natural - unpleasant symptoms occur after you replace the contents of the tray. And in this case, allergy most often occurs on cheap fillers, which are small clay pebbles.

So, what are the types of cat allergies by type of allergen? The following can be distinguished:

Regardless of this, the symptoms and treatment will be the same. It is possible to determine what exactly you are allergic to, only in order to develop preventive measures if a cat lives in your house, but there is no way to get treatment.

Classification by symptoms

A foreign protein has several ways to enter the human body. If the protein is contained in the air in the form of particles of saliva, urine or dandruff, it enters the respiratory tract. This causes a runny nose, uncontrollable sneezing, itchy nose, redness and swelling of the skin around it.

All of these symptoms point to allergic rhinitis. You can cope with it with the help of sprays and drops with an antihistamine effect.

Protein can enter the body through the mouth, for example, when a person yawns, coughs or laughs. In this case, the protein moves down to the lungs, causing a burning sensation in the throat and bronchi. It seems to an allergy sufferer that something is pressing on his chest, bouts of dry cough come in waves, shortness of breath appears. You can get rid of this with an inhaler with a bronchial dilator or with expectorants.

Skin contact with feline protein causes hives. This is a fairly rare symptom of an allergy to animals, most often it manifests itself after a pet has scratched a person. Small and large blisters appear on the skin, they itch and hurt, gradually spreading throughout the body. In this case, ointments, creams and gels with an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory effect help.

Important! If the allergen gets into the eyes, then conjunctivitis develops. Proteins turn red, blood vessels become visible. The eyes are very itchy, sore, swollen, visual acuity may decrease. These symptoms can be relieved by instilling antihistamine eye drops.

The last way feline protein enters the body is through food. In this case, it enters the stomach, causing abdominal pain and nausea, sometimes vomiting. The symptoms are similar to food poisoning. You can cope with them by artificially inducing vomiting so that the protein comes out.

Thus, the following types of cat allergies can be distinguished by symptoms:

rhinitis;
bronchitis;
hives;
conjunctivitis;
poisoning.

In each of these cases, specific treatment is required, but one thing is invariable - the allergy sufferer needs to take an antihistamine pill to pacify the negative reaction of the immune system. The method of treatment in the clinic does not change, regardless of what symptoms are observed.

findings

Allergies to cats are common. It is not customary to divide it into subspecies, but this can be done conditionally in order to determine what exactly is a risk factor for the patient. In the future, this will help him develop preventive measures, and the doctor will be able to choose the most appropriate therapy if necessary.

In contact with

Many people, mistakenly believing that they are allergic to cat hair, think that if you get a short-haired animal (Sphinx breed, for example), all unpleasant symptoms will cease to annoy. In reality, it is not the pet's fur that provokes the reaction, but the protein that is contained in dead skin cells, as part of the pet's urine and saliva.

Allergy sufferers have reduced immunity. Because their body is very sensitive to external stimuli. For every allergen, it includes a protective reaction. If the immune system is weakened, the main symptoms of an allergy occur, which are a side effect of the body's fight against irritants.

Even if a person does not suffer from an allergy to cats, a pet can easily bring it on. So, a fluffy pet often brings mold, pollen and other allergens into the house from the street.

In order to be sure that an allergy to a cat has arisen, it is simply necessary to know how this condition manifests itself. It is worth noting that each person, due to their individual characteristics, reacts to these pets in different ways, and therefore one or more of the following reactions may be observed:

Nasal congestion and runny nose.
Tearfulness and irritability of the eyes.
Constant sneezing.
Attacks resembling asthma (shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing).
Redness of the skin area that has been in direct contact with the animal.

So, a person assumes that he is allergic to a cat. How does this disease manifest itself, after what time period can the first symptoms be observed? Signs of an allergic reaction of the body can occur both immediately after contact with a fluffy pet, and several hours after it. An allergy in a baby to a cat manifests itself with all the same symptoms as in adults. However, due to the fact that the immunity of newborn babies is very weak, the consequences of an allergic disease can be extremely dangerous: the development of bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis in a child.

If a person is unfamiliar with such a condition as an allergy to a cat, how this disease manifests itself, he cannot say with accuracy, then if there are suspicions, before saying goodbye to a pet forever, it is worth visiting a doctor. Perhaps the pet has nothing to do with the allergic reaction that has arisen in the owner.

In order to make sure of this, the specialist will offer to conduct allergic tests. However, it should be borne in mind that standard tests are far from always informative and effective. This is explained by the fact that the allergens used for them are taken from an “average” cat (outbred animal), while the allergens still have minor so-called “pedigree” features. In more modern allergy centers, it is possible to conduct a test based on an individually prepared reagent, which can be pet hair, urine or saliva.

If, after the appearance of a cat in the house, one of the household members showed signs of conjunctivitis, dermatitis or rhinitis, before passing the sentence “allergy to an animal”, it is necessary to carefully analyze the situation and make sure that there are no other causes of these symptoms.
First of all, you should check if your beloved pet has an invasive or infectious disease that can occur in both an animal and a person. So, diseases such as toxoplasmosis, mycoplasmosis or chlamydia are often disguised as conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. Redness and itching of the skin can be caused by a tick infestation known as scabies, or a fungal infection - lichen.

It should be borne in mind that in most cases, the cat itself may not have external manifestations of the disease. So, in an animal that has been ill with chlamydia, clinical manifestations of conjunctivitis in the form of minor outflows from the eyes may not be observed, but at the same time, a pet, being a carrier of the infection, can infect its owners with it.

Getting rid of allergies forever is an almost unrealistic task, and we can say with a high degree of probability that from time to time this ailment will remind of itself. But at the same time, it is quite possible to significantly alleviate a person’s condition and prevent the occurrence of new rounds of the disease with even more acute symptoms.

So, if there is an allergy to a cat, what to do in this case? First of all, you must completely limit any contact with your pet. It is also important to control your emotional sphere and try to prevent the influence of various stress factors on the body, which arise mainly due to separation from your beloved animal.

The main question that most allergy sufferers are trying to find an answer to is: “Where to put an expensive pet, without which it seems impossible to live?” Breakups are definitely hard to bear. But if a person suffers from a neglected allergy to cats, then this is extremely necessary. But it is better at this time to think about where the pet will be comfortable. For example, you can give a cat to relatives or close friends to be sure that the animal is taken care of.

The importance of proper nutrition and regular bathing of the cat

American studies have shown that washing a cat can significantly reduce the number of allergic irritants. However, over time, the level of allergens is restored, and therefore the animal must be washed every week. To do this, you can use both professional or anti-allergic shampoos, as well as plain water.

It is very important to properly feed your pet. This is due to the fact that poor-quality feeding can negatively affect the cat's skin, causing shedding and other damage, which, in turn, increase the concentration of allergens in the environment.

How to cure a cat allergy with medication? The doctor will first advise you to take antihistamines that block the action of allergens. Some of them (the drugs "Claritil" and "Benadryl") can be purchased at the pharmacy on their own, while others (the drug "Zirtek") are dispensed exclusively by prescription. If an allergy to a cat is diagnosed, what does traditional medicine advise to do in this case? Decongestants, which include Allgra-D and Sudafed, have proven themselves well in solving this problem. Their task is to reduce swelling and prevent mucosal congestion.

Other medicines will help to easily eliminate allergy symptoms. So, for example, Nasonex and Flonaz sprays, traditionally used to eliminate the manifestations of allergic reactions, are especially effective.

One of the options for getting rid of allergies is a course of injections. But it is worth noting that such treatment, which is also not always effective, can last more than one year. This method of dealing with allergies is unsafe, and therefore it is forbidden for children under 5 years of age.

It has been proven that cats, compared to cats, spread significantly fewer allergens. Also, the younger the pet, the less irritants it comes from. Spayed and neutered four-legged friends are less allergenic compared to full-fledged cats.

Studies have found that, regardless of breed and gender, allergic reactions to these pets of a dark pattern or color occur in humans much more often than on light-colored cats. Allergenic properties of saliva, urine and skin of animals do not depend on the length of wool and breed.

Knowing how to cure a cat allergy and following these recommendations for keeping a pet, you can get rid of unpleasant allergic manifestations without parting with your beloved four-legged friend.

Ksyusha Ksyusha

Good afternoon! I am 25 years old and used to be allergic only to dust. All my life cats lived with me and nothing ... I moved to Moscow 3 years ago and after some time I became allergic to cats (sneeze, snot, runny nose, tears ... it also manifested itself in dust ..., and we tried a cat without hair of the Sphynx breed, I sneeze anyway...) When I come home to my hometown (we have a cat and a cat there), terrible symptoms begin... I can sneeze every second and try to suppress it with pills, but after a while, herpes appears on my lips... I think because of the pills...( tavigil) I want to ask where did it come from? And if it starts ... (as they say, if you irritate it), then further along the knurled allergy occurs to everything, that is, to cigarette smoke, to cream, to bed linen, well, including dust ... I heard that it is impossible to cure allergies ... it turns out I have no choice ... have to live with her ...? Thank you!

Provoking factors:

weakened immune system, severe chronic diseases;
age: in young children, signs of allergies are more common than in older ones.

Misconceptions and myths

In fact, things are a little different:

pathology is provoked not by wool, but by skin protein, secretions of sebaceous and anal glands, saliva of the animal;
cats are very clean, wash, lick the hair several times a day. During each “procedure”, saliva, skin particles cover everything around with the smallest particles;
now you know that the cause of sneezing, coughing, lacrimation upon contact with an animal is not wool, but a glycoprotein. The complete absence of hair does not solve the problem.

Symptoms and manifestation of the disease

The number, strength of unpleasant symptoms depends on the state of the immune defense. Symptoms were noted both immediately after contact with a pet, and after a few hours.

The main signs and symptoms of a cat allergy are:

nasal congestion;
swelling on the face;
cough;
eye irritation, swelling of the eyelids, profuse lacrimation;
wheezing, shortness of breath;
irritation, redness in places of scratches or bites;
runny nose (allergic rhinitis).

General well-being worsens:

sleep is disturbed;
irritability appears;
there is a loss of strength;
immunity decreases.

Quite rare:

angioedema or giant urticaria;
anaphylactic shock.

These symptoms require taking an antihistamine, calling an ambulance, and immediate hospitalization. Delay, improper first aid can cause death.

Read interesting information about the properties and uses of cosmetic white clay for face and body.

The best baking soda face mask recipes for acne and other troubles are described on this page.

Take note:

after contact with an animal and frequent manifestations of allergies, if the patient does not receive proper treatment, bronchial asthma, eczema, and severe forms of conjunctivitis often develop;
limit the contact of an asthmatic patient, especially a child, with pets. The longer the coat, the more saliva and dead particles containing protein harmful to humans accumulate on it;
cats with a dark coat color are more likely to cause allergy attacks. Kittens are less likely to cause negative reactions of the body.

Important! Symptoms appear only on contact with animals. After isolation of the patient, cessation of exposure to the allergen, the symptoms quickly disappear. This does not mean that the symptoms will disappear by themselves, treatment is necessary. In many cases, it is the dependence of the signs and the time of contact with the pet that allows you to quickly identify the cause of the deterioration.

How to get rid of allergies to cats? Helpful Hints:

with a sudden runny nose, cough, sneezing, eye irritation, remember the time when these symptoms appeared. Perhaps you have been in contact with pets, and these are signs of an allergy? Need as many details as possible;
if the cat has been living with you for a long time, there were no problems before, most likely, the pet is sick. Similar symptoms cause toxoplasmosis, mycoplasmosis or chlamydia. Irritation on the skin can appear with lichen and scabies;
visit the veterinarian, check if the animal has any diseases. If everything is in order, make an appointment with a therapist and an allergist. Diagnosis will show the cause of unpleasant symptoms.

To determine the type of allergy will help:

detailed interview with the patient;
blood test, immunoglobulin E indicators;
allergen test.

When confirming the diagnosis of "hair allergy", especially with severe symptoms, allergists advise giving the pet in good hands. Particles of dead skin, droplets of saliva, urine, anal gland secretions spread throughout the apartment. Even without close contact with a pet, allergies can reappear.

Mandatory therapy to relieve signs of allergies. It is recommended to take decongestants and antihistamines.

Effective:

tablets Claritin, Zirtek, spray Astelin, Benadryl. Drugs reduce itching, block the release of histamine, reduce vascular permeability. After the use of antihistamines, the harmful effect of the irritant in the body quickly stops;
Sudafed, Allegra-D are recommended. These drugs improve the outflow of mucus, reduce swelling;
in severe cases, prescription drugs are needed, among them, Flonaz, Nasonex sprays;
take steroid drugs only under the supervision of a doctor, do not exceed the terms of use. Local steroids are prescribed only in severe condition;
sorbents give a good effect - Enterosgel, White coal, Polysorb. Coordinate the appointment time with your doctor. Sorbents remove toxins, but at the same time they can absorb drugs. Do not use sorbents at the same time as medications.

In some cases, allergic patients are contraindicated in antihistamines and decongestants. How to deal with wool allergies?

The essence of the method:

for a long period (sometimes for several years) the patient receives injections of a special serum;
at first, injections are given 2 times a week, after six months the serum is injected 1 time in 3-4 months;
the method is not without drawbacks. Not all patients the drug is suitable due to the presence of contraindications.

Important! Injectable immunotherapy is not recommended for young children under five years of age.

You can also learn about other types of allergies on our website. For example, about ragweed allergy is written here; about allergies to house dust - here; about food allergies in adults - in this article.

Consult with an allergist. Your doctor may recommend herbal teas for lotions, compresses, tinctures, or other home remedies. If you found recipes on your own, be sure to check if herbal remedies are suitable.

How to cure cat allergies at home? Proven Recipes:

chamomile decoction. The tool is indispensable for itching, rashes, irritation of the skin for washing, lotions, dousing. Pour into a jar 2 tbsp. l. dry raw materials, add 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew. Strain the finished broth after 40-45 minutes. Use a folk remedy 3-4 times a day;
nettle decoction. An excellent blood cleanser will help relieve painful symptoms faster. Pour a tablespoon of nettle into 1 liter of water, boil, keep on fire for 5 minutes, set aside. After an hour, the broth is ready for use. Drink a teaspoon 4 times a day (before meals).

Methods for treating allergies during pregnancy are described in a separate article.

Egg white face masks are described at this address.

Go here and read an interesting article about the methods of treating corns on the feet at home.

The main causes of increased sensitivity of the body in babies:

weak immune system;
hereditary predisposition.

The danger of an allergy is that bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity to dust (household) mites often develop simultaneously with it. Getting rid of a complex problem is difficult.

Important! The smaller the child, the higher the risk of allergic reactions, including to wool. If before the age of 14-15 the child did not have negative reactions due to the presence of a pet in the house, the likelihood of their occurrence in the future is extremely low.

The main signs of intolerance to cat secretions, saliva, urine are similar to the manifestations of allergies in adults. Children, especially small ones, become irritable, capricious. Lachrymation, runny nose interfere with normal life.

Parents should be alert:

sudden redness of the eyes;
clear discharge from the nose;
swelling of the nasal passages, face, eyelids;
sneezing, coughing.

Most often, symptoms occur after visiting people who have pets. If a cat lives with you all the time, it means that negative reactions were provoked by a sharp decrease in immunity. The child must have had a serious illness recently.

Often a decrease in immunity causes:

deterioration in the quality of nutrition;
limiting exposure to fresh air;
avitaminosis;
violation of the daily routine;
lack of sleep, high workload at school;
decreased motor activity;
ecological problems.

What to do about cat allergies in children:

similar drugs are recommended as for adults, but adjusted for age;
antihistamines, decongestants are required.

Help:

nasal sprays for children;
eye drops;
enterosorbents.

Note! Chamomile decoction will help relieve itching, irritation on the skin. Be sure to give your child purified water to remove toxins.

If allergy attacks recur, you will have to give away your pet, otherwise bronchial asthma may develop. In children, this disease often occurs with complications.

Don't risk your child's health. Many children find it difficult to be separated from an animal, but this sacrifice will have to be made. Compensate for the absence of a pet with interesting activities, offer a new hobby to distract from sad thoughts. For older children, explain why you had to part with your pet.

Remember a few rules:

strengthen immunity. A strong body is less susceptible to various allergens;
regularly do wet cleaning in the apartment;
replace the carpet with linoleum or laminate to prevent the accumulation of dust and other irritants;
if you have a cat, bathe it with special shampoos. Check the frequency of water procedures with your veterinarian;
regularly remove wool from shelves, tables, nightstands, bedspreads, all places where cats like to rest;
use air purifiers, ionizers. So you minimize the impact of cat saliva, secretions, hair;
closely monitor the condition of loved ones and children. If you suspect an allergy, visit a doctor, follow his recommendations.

Read all rules and advice. Before buying a cat, go to friends, chat with the pet. Watch how the body reacts to contact with a pet. Only in the absence of allergic reactions, get a cat, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of an allergy to wool.

Next video. An allergist will tell you even more details about allergies to pets:

Historians say that the great conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte was terrified of cats. As soon as some murka appeared nearby, the emperor's lips turned blue, signs of suffocation appeared, and large tears flowed down his cheeks. It is possible that the reason for this phenomenon was not so much a panic attack as a severe allergy to cats.

Cute pet purrs cause more allergic reactions than all other animal species, plant pollen and chemicals combined. For a long time it was believed that an inadequate reaction of the body is associated with the finest animal hair, and only in the twentieth century did true allergens come to light - proteins contained in saliva, urine and dead skin cells of animals.

Mechanisms for the development of allergies

In a broad sense, an allergy is an inadequate, increased reaction of the body to contact with foreign proteins. When proteins characteristic of cats get on the skin and in the respiratory tract, the body opens the fight with the methods available to it:

The immunity of a healthy person will send tissue macrophages to the focus of the "foreign agent", which will "swallow" the feline antigen and digest it inside themselves.
In the body of a sensitized person, the immune system will make a different decision - it will begin to produce its own proteins, class E antibodies, which will settle on the tissues and, if the allergen enters the body again, will become the trigger for an allergic reaction. Immunoglobulins, connecting with cat protein by special receptors, form immune complexes that damage tissues. Special cells, called mast cells, when the membrane breaks, pour histamine into the intercellular fluid, which causes the typical signs of allergies - itching, swelling, lacrimation and sneezing.

Cats walking on the street, even if the owners do not have a specific reaction to the protein contained on the skin and in body fluids, can also cause itching, rashes and runny nose. In their thick fur coat, animals bring home dust, pollen, mold particles, which are the strongest and most common allergens. Therefore, even without suffering from allergies, it is not worth letting a cat into the bedroom, and even more so into a crib with small children.

Long-haired pussies do require special care - regular bathing and combing, which will not only make the pet beautiful, but also prevent allergic reactions in the owners to anything that can accumulate in its coat.

Allergy is always distinguished by the breadth and variety of signs, the manifestation of which depends on the frequency of contact with animals, the place of penetration of allergens and the individual physiological characteristics of a person. The most common symptoms of an inadequate immune response to cat proteins are:

Swelling of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx - difficulty breathing, watery discharge from the nose, sneezing.
Asthma symptoms are a persistent cough, shortness of breath, blue lips due to lack of oxygen.
In the cutaneous form, severe itching, urticaria, redness and peeling occur.
Often, along with other reactions, lacrimation appears.

Severe forms of allergies, such as anaphylactic shock and Quincke's edema, are extremely rare when in contact with cats, so most sensitized people are able to get along with animals even in the same living space.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight the "cat scratch disease", which is nothing more than an allergy. At the same time, a person can quite calmly coexist with a cat, without experiencing absolutely no discomfort, but each bite or scratch brings a lot of trouble - they do not heal for a long time, itch, and later fester due to an infection.

Even if all the signs of an allergy are present, you should not immediately blame the fluffy neighbor for this - first you need to contact an allergist, and give the cat to relatives or friends for a while. Tests are carried out in clinics: a small amount of potential allergens is injected subcutaneously into the forearm area and the reaction is monitored for a week. Based on the results obtained, the true cause of the allergy is established, which is far from always hidden in the thick fur of pets.

The signs of a cat allergy are not typical: they are similar to reactions to other foreign proteins, including pollen, mold, cocoa, citrus fruits, down and bird feathers. Therefore, they cannot be considered a reliable indicator - the diagnosis can only be established through clinical observations.

Despite the colossal discoveries in the field of medicine, a peaceful neighborhood with a cat in the presence of allergies is impossible. The first and main rule is the exclusion of contact with potential carriers of allergens: petting an animal on the street, and even more so keeping it in the house, is categorically not recommended.

Comprehensive treatment includes:

Antihistamines that block the action of the main culprit of all allergy symptoms and discomfort. Orally prescribe means of the second and third generation - loratadine, tsetrin and others. When rashes appear on the skin, it becomes advisable to use topical hormonal ointments - prednisolone, hydrocortisone, sinoflane. Corticosteroid hormones are not alien to the body and perfectly block the action of histamine, but they can be used only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Swelling of the mucous membranes requires the use of drugs that can rid the tissues of excess fluids. First of all, these are diuretics, adrenomimetics and hypertonic salt solutions. With persistent allergic rhinitis, nasal drops based on xylometazoline are used, and with lacrimation, eye ointments are used. Quincke's edema requires more intensive measures, which only doctors can carry out - with signs of asphyxia in a patient, call an ambulance without delay.
Symptomatic remedies also occupy a certain place in the treatment of allergies to cats - wound healing and antiseptic ointments are used for scratches, solcoseryl ointment, made on the basis of calf blood serum, gives an excellent effect. Nose drops and eye ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs can also improve the patient's condition.

The most important principle of allergy therapy is still prevention, so if you are allergic to cats, you need to follow a number of simple rules that will help you avoid its manifestations.

Allergies often come as a sudden surprise. What to do if there is a cat in the house that children love and do not want to part with it? The best variant of the complete exclusion of contacts disappears and it remains only to limit contact with the animal as much as possible, living in the same living space.

Entrust the care of the cat to other family members
Limit your cat's access to rooms that you use frequently, and under no circumstances let him into the bedroom.
Clean and ventilate daily
Remove carpets and heavy curtains, which are major allergen collectors in your home.

Desperate lovers of charming purrs cannot get used to the idea that they will have to part with their pet forever. Often, they are ready even for a lot of money to buy a cat, if only it was hypoallergenic. Fraudsters and breeders make money on this, and scientists are actively, but so far to no avail, are struggling to solve the problem.

Since the cause of allergies is not wool, but a specific cat protein, both short-haired Cornish Rex and hairless Don Sphynx are able to create all the conditions for the development of typical allergic reactions. However, the absence of a thick coat gives bald cats some advantages - they do not shed and do not accumulate natural allergens in the coat, such as dust and pollen, and require less maintenance.

The task of scientists involved in breeding breeds that do not cause allergies is the genetic modification of the protein. You can really already buy such cats, but at a price similar to the cost of an apartment in Moscow. In addition, they do not give offspring and habits are somewhat different from their genetic ancestors. Despite this, queues are already lining up in American laboratories for several years ahead.

For people with average incomes, it is still possible to answer the question of which cats do not cause allergies: plush, plastic and porcelain. And if you are allergic, it is better to give preference to just such, non-purring pussies.

In modern society, allergic diseases are among the most common. A variety of irritants can cause an inadequate reaction of the body. These include food, drugs, and chemicals.

Very often, not only in children, but also in adults, there is an allergy to pets. And its pathogens in most cases are cats (2 times more often than dogs). For many, a cat is a full-fledged member of the family. And not everyone is ready to get rid of the animal, even if it has an allergic reaction.

The mechanism of development and causes of allergies

A true allergy is an increased sensitivity of the body to certain foreign proteins with which contact occurs. The immune system of a healthy person directs tissue macrophages to absorb a foreign stimulus and digest it.

With increased sensitivity of the body to allergens, the process of sensitization develops in it. The immune system begins to synthesize its own class E immunoglobulins against allergens. They settle on the walls of tissues and, upon the next contact with a foreign protein, they are combined. Immune complexes are formed, which are the trigger mechanism for allergies. They damage mast cells, through the membranes of which histamine is poured into the intercellular space. It is because of him that the characteristic symptoms of an allergy develop.

Many people believe that cat hair is the cause of allergies. Actually causative agents of the disease can be:

Proteins that are in the urine and saliva of the animal, which can also get on the coat.
Ingress of allergens from the street (pollen, fluff, mold) that a cat can bring on its fur.

Conclusion: allergic reactions do not develop from the animal's fur, but from what can accumulate on it.

First signs and symptoms

How does a cat allergy manifest itself? The disease can have many different manifestations. Their intensity and nature depend on the characteristics of the human body, the ways of penetration of allergens, the regularity of contact with the animal.

Common signs of a cat allergy:

Upon contact with the skin, hyperemia, rashes in the form of itching develop.
Sneezing, which, with a high degree of sensitization to the allergen, appears already a few minutes after contact with it.
Mucous watery discharge from the nose.
Allergens easily penetrate the bronchial membranes due to their microscopic size and provoke dry attacks.
When it comes into contact with the mucous membrane, redness and burning appear.
In the case of swelling of the tissues of the oropharynx, the lack of air intake provokes shortness of breath, cyanosis of the lips, symptoms.
If a cat scratches or bites, then a person with an allergy will have redness and itching in the injured area. can occur on different parts of the body, not only at the site of contact with feline protein. Scratches may not heal for a long time, itch, fester due to the addition of a bacterial infection.

In rare cases, severe forms of an allergic reaction with or may develop. Such conditions require immediate hospitalization and emergency care.

Methods for dealing with cat allergies in adults

How to cure a cat allergy? You can get rid of the manifestations of the disease only if you avoid contact with cats. But first you need to determine if cat proteins are really the cause of the allergy. Perhaps the reason is in the food for the animal, or there is intolerance to other substances that the cat carries on its coat (pollen, mites, dust).

If the animal still had to be given to other hands, and the symptoms do not go away, it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning - allergenic substances remain in the house:

Clean upholstery, carpets.
Wash all surfaces in the house with soapy water.
Change air conditioner filters.

Medications

How to get rid of allergies to cats? There are no special drugs that can get rid of allergies forever. All the means offered by modern medicine are aimed at stopping the symptoms of the disease, preventing complications.

To stop the release of the main culprit of an allergic reaction - histamine, the doctor will prescribe. For adults, oral tablets are suitable, and in more severe cases, they are necessary. They relieve swelling of tissues, itching, inflammation.

Preference is given to drugs of the 2nd and 3rd generation:

other.

When a rash appears, it is advisable to apply local antiallergic agents:

Gistan;
Fenistil gel.

To relieve swelling of the mucous membranes, remove excess fluid from the tissues, decongestants are used (adrenergic agonists, diuretics, hypertonic saline solutions).

If the allergy is accompanied by persistent rhinitis and nasal congestion, vasoconstrictor and antiallergic drops are used:

Vibrocil;
Otrivin;
Histimet;
Allergodil.

In case of tearing and redness of the eyes, drops will help:

Opatanol;
Zaditen;

If antiallergic medications do not give a visible result after a few days of treatment, the doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroids:

Hydrocortisone.

For scratches left on the skin by a cat, it is recommended to apply antiseptic ointments to prevent infection:

Solcoseryl;
Ficidin;
Levosin;
Levomikol.

Prevention measures

If there is no possibility and desire to get rid of the cat that caused the allergy, you need to learn to coexist with the animal with minimal health risk. In order for allergy symptoms to appear as rarely as possible, it is necessary to follow the recommendations:

Avoid frequent contact with the animal, do not allow it to bed in the bedroom.
If possible, remove carpets, heavy curtains, soft toys from the house - everything that can accumulate the smallest particles of allergens.
Daily wipe dust on all surfaces with a damp cloth, wash floors even in hard-to-reach places.
Wash curtains and curtains once every 10 days.
Bathe your cat every 2 days to remove all allergens from her coat.
The cat litter box should be located in a place where human contact with it will be minimal. The filler should be changed daily.
Purchase or install a good air conditioning system. Regularly check the operation of the devices, clean the filters in time.

Are there non-allergic cats?

Unfortunately, an allergic reaction can occur on any breed of cat, of different ages and coat lengths. But some are less allergenic. It has been established that small kittens are less allergenic. Females emit fewer allergens than males. Dark-haired cats are more likely to be allergic than light-haired cats. "Naked" breeds of cats secrete the same amount of protein substances as other breeds. But they are easier to maintain.

Before getting a cat at home, you need to make sure that the proximity to the animal will not lead to the development of allergies. It is much easier to prevent an exacerbation of the disease than to deal with it. If an allergic person has to live under the same roof with a cat, you need to limit contact with it as much as possible. Take all preventive measures to prevent the spread of cat allergens around the house.

After watching the following video, you can learn more about the causes and treatment options for cat allergies:

Allergy to cats is common, and very upsetting for those people for whom a four-legged furry friend is a full member of the family. It is very difficult to limit contact with a small “allergen carrier” in everyday life, but it is quite possible to rebuild life so as not to part with your pet.

First of all, you need to figure out if there is really an allergy to cats. A negative reaction can also occur to dust, insects, mold fungi hidden from the eye. How to identify a cat allergy? An allergist will help you find the cause of the allergic reaction, who will conduct an examination, and also give a qualified answer to the question of what to do if an allergy to a cat really provokes the appearance of malaise or more alarming symptoms.

A negative acute reaction occurs when a certain foreign protein enters the body, in response to which the synthesis of antibodies begins and the release of histamine by mast cells. This Fel d 1 protein, which causes an inadequate response in the body of many people, is produced by the salivary, sebaceous and anal glands of animals and, accordingly, is found in saliva, urine and feces, as well as on the skin and wool.

It often happens that a pet lives in a house for a long time, and suddenly one of the family members has an allergy to cats. Why does this happen?

Animals surround us everywhere, and maybe getting rid of a pet does not make sense, but should we look for other ways to solve the problem? Experienced allergists know how to recognize an allergy, whether there are ways to get rid of it.

Many people simply cannot imagine life without a little pet, but what if the person is allergic? Can he, having a tendency to allergic reactions, get along under the same roof with an animal?

What you need to know to make the right decision:

Allergy to cats in humans occurs more often than to dogs;
male felines are more "allergenic" than females;
kittens and older animals are less likely to cause allergies than cats and cats of reproductive age;
neutered cats are much less of a "danger" for allergy sufferers than non-neutered ones;
signs of allergy appear in response not to the cat's fur, but to its saliva, urine, excrement, skin particles that are distributed through the wool;
all breeds of cats can be dangerous for allergy sufferers: the reaction can occur on both Angora and British cats and even sphinxes;
the length and thickness of the pet’s coat does not affect its “allergenicity”: sensitive people may be allergic to a hairless cat;
animals with a light coat color are less likely to cause unpleasant symptoms than dark ones;
if more than one animal lives in a family, the risk of allergies increases significantly;
sensitized people may show cross-allergy to other members of the cat family or completely different mammals (dogs, pigs, horses, rodents).

Why is cat allergy dangerous? Symptoms of an allergy to cats can be very severe: up to anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema, and bronchial asthma can become a complication. In pregnant women and infants, the course of allergies can also be unpredictable.

Before taking a little friend into the family, one should think many times, so that later one does not have to look for new owners for him, causing moral injuries to himself and a living being.

If a four-legged friend already lives in a family, and someone from the family has felt the alarming symptoms of an allergy, only a qualified allergist can provide effective help. It is possible to solve the problem in most cases without getting rid of the pet.

Allergy to cats in adults and children is manifested by various symptoms from the respiratory system and skin. If allergen molecules get on the mucous membranes of the eyes, signs of allergic conjunctivitis may appear.

How does an allergy to cats manifest itself, and in what symptoms does it manifest itself? It all depends on the individual characteristics of the person, the concentration of antigens, the way they enter the body and the type of allergic reaction.

Most often, signs of allergy to cats appear 5-15 minutes after contact with the animal, or entering the room where it is located. Allergy from cats has primarily symptoms in the form of allergic rhinitis.

With allergic rhinitis observed:

nasal discharge;
sneezing, itching;
congestion of the nasal passages, swelling of the nasopharynx;
difficulty breathing.

In the case of an allergy to cats, the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are characterized by the following phenomena:

there is pain in the eyes, there is a feeling of "sand" under the eyelids;
the mucous membranes of the eyes and eyelids swell and make it impossible to open the eyes;
clarity of vision is lost;
there is profuse lacrimation.

Dangerous is the manifestation of allergy to cats in the form of swelling of the face and respiratory tract - throat, bronchi, trachea.

The face looks swollen and at the same time it is felt:

sore throat;
hoarseness of voice;
dry cough;
difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.

On the part of the skin, the symptoms of an allergy to a cat will manifest themselves in the form of:

skin itching and rashes on the hands, face and neck;
redness of the skin, peeling and dryness.

Most often, skin manifestations occur upon contact with a pet on contact surfaces with it. In some cases, an allergy to cat hair manifests itself in the form of hives or eczema. If the animal has scratched the skin, the tissue may swell and redden at the site of injury.

If we compare how an allergy to a cat manifests itself in an adult and in a child, then in children the symptoms are more acute.

Pets accompany a person everywhere, and in allergic people, even contact with the owner of the animal can provoke a reaction.

How to get rid of an allergy to cats, can it be cured and how:

A consultation with an experienced allergist will help answer the question of how to cure an allergy to cats. The doctor will conduct an examination, will be able to identify the true cause of the allergic condition.
The specialist will determine, based on the patient's condition and the intensity of the symptoms, whether there are dangers to human life, and whether it is necessary to look for another family for the pet.
Cat allergy treatment will include medications, preventive measures, and, if possible, modern therapies that can cure the allergy permanently.

It is worth remembering that the exclusion of contact with the allergen is far from always possible, so you should pay attention to the method of specific immunotherapy (SIT), which really allows you to defeat allergies.

Allergy to cats: how to get rid of symptoms with medication?

The attending physician will select individually for the patient:

antihistamines in tablets;
external agents in the form of ointments and creams for the relief of skin symptoms;
nasal and eye drops;
hormonal agents, if necessary, if symptoms do not improve with other agents.

How to treat allergies to cats using modern methods? Can allergies be cured permanently?

Allergen-specific and immunotherapy (ASIT) is a method of dealing with the root cause of the disease, which allows you to adjust the patient's immune system. A certain very small dose of an irritant - an "allergy vaccine" - is injected into the patient's body for several months, thereby "accustoming" his body to this antigen.

With the help of ASIT, both congenital and acquired allergies are treated. This technique really allows you to save a person from the disease and enjoy the company of pets.

If you are allergic to cats, what should you do first? Do not buy a kitten at all if it is not in the family, because this is not a toy!

If a living creature has already become part of the family, and one of the household members suddenly has a negative reaction that was not there before, it is urgent to undergo a diagnosis in the clinic and find out what the allergic reaction may be.

How to deal with cat allergies with elimination therapy methods?

It is necessary to follow some rules so that the symptoms of the disease do not appear as long as possible:

It is necessary to remove carpets from the floor, soft toys that collect dust particles, insects, wool and other allergens.
It is necessary to regularly ventilate, purify the air and carry out wet cleaning.
Restrict pet access to the bedroom of a family member who is allergic to cats.
It is necessary to monitor the condition of the pet's skin - bathe with special shampoos, comb out excess hair.
The nutrition of a small family member should be of high quality.
The animal should be strictly at home, you should not let it out into the street.
The male needs to be castrated in a timely manner (while he is still a kitten).
The pet must be vaccinated and be under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Due to the fact that allergies occur to animal protein, allergy sufferers should not come into contact with pet toiletries and utensils.

It is worth remembering that allergy to cats in most cases is not fatal, and in especially sensitive people, any other allergens can cause a dangerous attack with the same success.

The main thing is not to neglect the advice of a specialist, to know where and how to check for an allergy to cats, and to act for the sake of your own health and harmonious communication with your pet.

Far from one family fought for their little friend, and successfully passed this test.