Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Taking your medications
• Method 2 of 4: How to minimize contact with cats
• Method 3 of 4: Handling Your Cat
• Method 4 of 4: How to Purify the Air
• Tips

Allergic reactions to cats range from mild (sneezing, coughing) to severe symptoms (such as an asthma attack). An allergy is a strong immune response to animal dander, which the body perceives as a source of danger. As a result, the body produces a substance called histamine, which provokes an allergic reaction. It is possible to alleviate the manifestations of allergic reactions with the help of drugs, but they are not suitable for everyone, so it may be necessary to deal with allergies in other ways.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Taking your medications

1. 1 Talk to an allergist. If you are allergic to cats, talk to your doctor about the extent of your symptoms. If the allergy is severe, your doctor may advise you to find a different home for your pet. If symptoms are mild, changing habits or medications may be sufficient.
   • The type and dosage of drugs are always individual, so follow the recommendations of your doctor and manufacturer.
2. 2 Take antihistamines. Due to contact with the allergen, histamine is produced in excess in the body. The antihistamine blocks receptors that histamine interacts with, reducing the cellular effect of increased amounts of histamine in the blood. This means that antihistamines can help reduce allergies, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose. First-generation antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride ("Diphenhydramine")) cause extreme drowsiness and may be worth avoiding. Antihistamines can also cause dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, and upset stomach. Try different medications to find the one that works for you.
   • The following drugs are often prescribed: Allegra, Allergodil, Diphenhydramine and Claritin.
   • Long-term use of antihistamines is generally not harmful to health, but these drugs can cause side effects and liver problems, especially in people prone to these diseases.
3. 3 Use decongestants. Decongestants help relieve nasopharyngeal swelling that occurs as a result of an allergic reaction. These remedies also reduce other symptoms of allergies, so they can help you if you have other symptoms in addition to swelling in your throat and nose.
   • Most often, Rinasek is prescribed.Decongestants are often combined with antihistamines (such as fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine).
4. 4 Ask your doctor about steroids. Steroids suppress the immune system, reducing inflammation. These drugs are most effective when used consistently and are only available with a prescription. The first results do not appear immediately, so the effectiveness of the drug should be evaluated at least two weeks later.
   • For allergies, nasal sprays with steroids (Nazarel, Mometasone) are most often prescribed.
   • It is dangerous to use steroids in tablets for a long time, but topical preparations have no side effects associated with long-term use. Therefore, you can use steroid sprays for a long time, but at a low dosage and only during allergy season.
5. 5 Ask your doctor about injections. If allergies are difficult to control, you may need special injections (immunotherapy) to reduce the reaction to the hair of cats. The injections contain a small amount of the allergen. You will be given an injection every week or two, gradually increasing the amount of allergen in the preparation. The course is usually designed for 3-6 months. Injections can teach the body not to react to the cat's fur.
   • It may take a year for the most complete effect. Maintenance injections may be needed every 4 weeks to 5 years.
   • This option is suitable for those who want to have cats or are very fond of them, but cannot cope with allergies in other ways.
   • However, this method does not always help. In addition, such injections are contraindicated in the elderly, children under 5 years of age and people with impaired immune system function.
   • Remember that these injections can be very expensive. Insurance may not cover them.

Method 2 of 4: How to minimize contact with cats

1. 1 Do not go to homes with cats. If you have severe allergies, ask people ahead of time if they have cats. If there is, tell them that you will not be able to come because of allergies. Meet with these people in other places or invite them to your place.
   • If they are close friends or you have to go, ask if there is a place in the house where cats are not allowed. If not, ask to create one for you: take the cat to another room, vacuum the surfaces, change the bedding to reduce the amount of cat dandruff.
2. 2 Be careful when dealing with people who have cats. If you go where there is a cat, there may be traces of dandruff on your clothes, which can cause an allergic reaction. When you get home, wash your clothes in hot water to remove any traces of cat dandruff.
   • This also applies to the clothes of people who have cats. Traces of cats, including hair, remain on clothes. Let the person know that you have a severe allergy and explain that you have to keep your distance, but don't make it a big deal out of it.
   • At work, try not to sit next to people who have cats, but don't be rude. Yes, you are allergic, but a person may be offended by your behavior. Explain the situation calmly and offer a compromise.
3. 3 Don't touch cats. This may seem obvious, but it is imperative for you to avoid direct contact with cats. This will reduce the risk of developing allergies, as the reaction can be triggered by residual allergens on the hands. Allergic reactions are caused by a protein in the cat's saliva (Fel D1).
   • If you do not pet your cat, you will not be exposed to this allergen. If you pet a cat, wash your hands with soap and warm water as soon as possible.
   • Do not bring your cat to your face or kiss it.

Method 3 of 4: Handling Your Cat

1. 1 Keep your cat outside the house. If you can't bring yourself to give up the cat, try moving it outside (if you have your own home). You can put the cat in a separate house in the yard. So the cat can walk down the street during the day.
2. 2 Set up a cat-free zone in your home. If you reduce the amount of cat dandruff where you spend most of your time, you will be less likely to experience allergic reactions. Prevent your cat from entering your bedroom. Since you sleep in the bedroom, you will inhale your cat's dander all night if she is around. Keep doors closed in all areas that the cat is not allowed to enter.
   • You will have to monitor this constantly. Cat dandruff can worsen allergies. If everyone in the house watches the door, over time it will become a habit.
3. 3 Try to live separately from your cat. To test if your cat is really allergic to you, move it to another house for 1–2 months. Clean your home thoroughly to get rid of any traces of dandruff, and clean it at least once a week. Observe the manifestations of allergies and how they change.
   • If your cat is really allergic to you, you will notice the change almost immediately.
4. 4 Bathe your cat every week. Your cat is unlikely to enjoy this, but you should try bathing her once a week. You can entrust this to a family member who is not allergic. You cannot bathe the cat more often than twice a week, otherwise the coat will start to get tangled and dry out.
   • Try anti-allergy shampoo. A special shampoo will help reduce the amount of dandruff that falls off your cat every day.
5. 5 Brush your cat daily. To reduce the amount of hair in the house, brush your cat's hair thoroughly for 10-15 minutes daily. Throw away wool immediately. To prevent the allergen from spreading throughout your home, do it outdoors. Ask a family member to do it for you, if you can.
   • Brushing will improve the structure of the cat's coat, which will remove allergens, dirt and pollen, as well as traces of anything that the cat has rubbed against.
   • While brushing will not diminish your reaction, it will limit the spread of the allergen in your home.

Method 4 of 4: How to Purify the Air

1. 1 Clean your home regularly. If there is a cat in the house, you should clean up the order often. Dust, wash, and brush the sofa surfaces at least once a week. Use brushes that attract cat hair and scrape up the hair with tape or an adhesive roller. Discard wool immediately. You can also:
   • Use a cleaning vacuum cleaner to keep allergens off the floor.
   • Sweep the floor daily in areas where cats are often. Allergens on the floor will rise into the air if you walk or sit on them.
   • Replace carpet with tiles or wood if possible. If you have a carpet, always vacuum it with a HEPA filter.
   • Wash cat toys, bedding and your bed in hot water as often as possible. It will also help reduce the number of allergens in your home.
2. 2 Do the cleaning with a mask. If you have a cat, mask cleaning, especially in areas where the cat spends a lot of time. The mask will prevent allergens from entering the respiratory tract, which will help reduce the allergic reaction.
   • If you have a partner or roommate, ask him to clean up the areas where the cat is more likely to be. If this is not possible, try hiring professional cleaners.
3. 3 Use a HEPA filter. To remove allergens from the air, install a HEPA filter in the air conditioner and heating system. You can also use this filter in a vacuum cleaner. The HEPA filter has a special structure that allows you to trap allergens. You can also place an air purifier with such a filter in the areas where the cat spends the most time.
   • Vacuum every day or at least once a day. Whenever possible, use a vacuum cleaner that picks up cat hair and dandruff well.

Tips

• Research is currently underway to develop a cat breed that will not cause allergies. Many people with cat allergies in the future will be able to have pets and not experience an allergic reaction.
• Unfortunately, methods of preventing allergies in children have not been studied. Research results indicate that children whose relatives are allergic to cats are also more likely to develop an allergic reaction. Some studies have also found that contact with animals in the first year of life can help prevent allergies from developing in adulthood, but this does not always work.
• If you have allergies, avoid areas with cats.