Dealing With Cat Allergy Symptoms

There is nothing worse than finding out you're allergic to your cat, after months suffering from various symptoms and never having known that you were experiencing cat allergy symptoms all that time. The good news is that knowledge about what causes your symptoms can become your greatest ally and most times getting rid of your cat doesn't need to be an option. In most cases, the Fel d 1 (Fd1) allergen is the culprit that causes symptoms and contrary to what many people believe: It's a microscopic allergen that comes from your cat's saliva and sweat.

Following are some cat allergy symptoms that can affect people when they're around cats:

• itchy and swollen eyes
• skin rashes
• nasal drip and congestion
• wheezing and coughing
• dry/swollen/itchy throat

Solutions for cat allergy symptoms are many. Having a good quality Hepa filtration system installed in your home should be among the first options you consider. Not only will this help capture airborne Fd1 molecules, but will help filter out other airborne allergens and contaminants that can cause health problems. There are also plenty of affordable allergy medications that can be taken orally in pill form, or with the use of inhalers similar to asthma medications. There are also programs that use a series of injections that immunize your body from cat and other allergens.

Also make sure you equip your vacuum with a Hepa filter and vacuum your home often (even if you have hardwood floors it's best to vacuum, so Fd1 is trapped in the bag and filter). If possible, get someone who isn't allergic to bath and brush your cat. We all love a wet kiss from our feline friends, but remember that allergies are a direct result of proteins found in your cats: saliva, sweat and urine -- not their fur (fur will contain allergens from your cat cleaning itself and through sweat glands).