In the modern world, allergy to cats is a very common phenomenon. It is estimated that 15% of all people living on earth suffer from this disease. In someone, the manifestations are almost imperceptible, and in some cases, a meeting with a cat leads to a very serious deterioration in health.
The cause of the allergic reaction to cats is the particles of Pel d 1, which are very small in size. They are contained in the saliva of the animal, as well as on its skin and have very strong allergenic properties. Many people think that allergies to cats are caused by their hair, but this is not so. Cats constantly lick, and their saliva not only in large quantities remains on their cover, but also dissipates in the air, spreading the allergen. In addition, allergens are found in the urine of the animal and on the skin. They are very light and are constantly suspended in the air. In addition, they stick to any porous surface: carpets, furniture, linen, walls, etc. The allergenic properties of the animal are practically independent of the length of the coat and breed. Even if the animal has been removed from the living area, allergy attacks may continue. This happens because the allergen has the ability to stay in the house for several months.
Allergies to cats can occur at any age. Symptoms of such an allergy include:
- Sneezing and coughing;
- Urticaria, irritation and redness of the eyes;
- Nasal congestion and runny nose;
- Redness of the skin at the site of scratches.
They can occur in almost a few minutes, but in some only after a few hours. In 20-30% of people suffering from allergic asthma, after even short contact with a cat, an exacerbation occurs. Often people with this disease also suffer from other allergens, such as plant pollen or mold.
Cats that do not cause allergies are still an unfulfilled dream of many children and adults, because in nature there are no shedding cats. In addition, do not forget that dandruff causes allergy, which crumbles along with faded hair. There are breeds of cats that cause this disease to a lesser extent, including sphinxes. American scientists have stated that cats that do not cause allergies are freely sold in the United States. However, the price of such an animal is very high, and the number of kittens is limited.
When it is clearly established that you are allergic to cats, the treatment is similar to that for conventional allergies. There is another option - immunotherapy. But it has a significant drawback: first you need to do injections for six months twice a week, and then for five years every three to four weeks. The injected serum is made from a substance that causes allergies and therefore contraindications often arise for such treatment, although serious complications occur extremely rarely. Immunotherapy is not a treatment if you are allergic to cats. But its use is more effective than the usual drug treatment, because it eliminates the causes of the allergy, and not only fights the symptoms. The active development of immunotherapy allows you to create more convenient and effective means.
The following simple actions contribute to reducing the risk of allergies:
- Installation of an air purifier or ionizer;
- Room cleaning with a vacuum cleaner equipped with high-purity filters;
- Removing carpets, volume draperies, etc.
- Wash your cat regularly (at least once every two weeks).
Despite the fact that allergies, including cats, are widespread and the mechanism of the development of the disease is known, medicine cannot yet offer effective methods of treating and preventing the disease.