How to cure cat allergies

On a nonspecific diet, in addition, the patient is recommended to keep a food diary. In it, it is necessary to write down every day the food consumed and the reaction that occurs to it. In this way, the patient will gradually be able to identify food allergens on their own.

Allergies in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment

Allergy is a condition of the body in which the immune system sees a threat in substances that are not actually dangerous to the person. The immune system considers them antigens, so it begins to produce antibodies against them. During this period, a person begins to feel that the body is fighting the disease, which is manifested by unpleasant symptoms.

In reality, there are no real pathogens. This hypersensitivity of the body to certain substances (allergens) and called an allergy.

Symptoms and signs

Allergic reactions can have varying intensity – from mild to acute. And depending on the allergen, a person may show different signs. The main symptoms:

• Animal allergies. It can be easily identified when contact with pets causes red eyes and tears, runny nose or dry cough. Cat and dog allergies can also cause red and itchy skin;
• Food allergies. Causes redness and thickening of the skin, which is accompanied by itching. Sometimes conjunctivitis or runny nose appear. Skin allergies appear in the form of dermatitis. The respiratory system is affected when vapors or particles of allergens are inhaled;
• Flower allergy. Pollen causes allergic runny nose, conjunctivitis, wheezing and dry cough, itching of the tongue and palate;
• Drug allergies. May manifest as hives, bronchial asthma attacks, allergic dermatitis, and Quincke's edema. Allergy spots increase in size over time. They may grow from small to large.

Similar symptoms can occur with allergies to protein, cold or dust, or insect bites.

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease. Don't delay a consultation and call us at +7 (495) 126-41-31

Allergy to pets

Often after the appearance of pets in the apartment of children or adults note a variety of types of dermatitis, stuffy nose, a strong persistent runny nose or fits of coughing and shortness of breath. Allergies to animal hair, skin particles or food components (in the case of fish or hamsters and other rodents) and to fluff or feathers in the case of birds can manifest themselves in this way. Allergies are usually formed to foreign proteins that contain dander, urine, saliva or food, and such reactions are not uncommon today. There is a common misconception that allergies are caused solely by animal hair, although in reality even bald animals with no hair at all can be allergenic. Therefore, in families where allergic reactions are common, children should not get cats or dogs without fur, allergies are also possible, and parting with a pet can be very stressful for children. It is important to remember that allergic reactions can be both immediate and delayed, so the reaction may occur immediately after the acquisition of a pet, or in a few days, weeks or even years after the appearance of a furry friend in the house.

Reactions: runny nose or coughing fits

The most common manifestations of animal allergies are respiratory manifestations. These include severe nasal congestion and runny nose when inhaling the allergens circulating in the air. In addition, frequent sneezing, burning and itching in the nose may be observed against the background of runny nose and heavy nasal flow. These manifestations may be combined with burning and itching in the eyes, reddening of the proteinous membrane and lacrimation, appearance of a skin rash (dermatitis). The runny nose persists and is not relieved by standard treatment measures (nasal lavage and vasoconstrictor drops), it only goes away after taking antihistamines.

In addition to the runny nose, manifestations may be in the form of attacks of suffocation with an agonizing cough without sputum. The cough may be accompanied by itching and scratchy throat and chest discomfort. The cough is usually dry, without sputum, and intrusive, intensifying with close contact with the animal. As the manifestations increase, the cough becomes increasingly distressing, joined by shortness of breath and malaise.

Allergy to cats: who is to blame for the disease?

Allergy to cats is a fairly common phenomenon. It is good when a person is aware of this and does not get furry pets. But what do those who only find out about the disease when they have already got this purring creature in the house do? How do you live in the same area as your pet when it literally hurts to even look at it?

• Difficulty breathing, coughing and wheezing;
• The appearance of a skin rash (similar to hives);
• allergic conjunctivitis (eye irritation and redness); tearfulness;
• reddened skin and itching;
• runny nose and sometimes stuffy sinuses;
• sneezing.

Respiratory signs of allergies manifest themselves in different ways. One patient may be in a room with a cat for quite a long time and only then start coughing. Another may not be able to breathe normally as soon as the cat comes into his sight. And some even react at all to the owner of the pet if cat saliva or hair is left on him.

To begin with, it is necessary to find out exactly what components of pet tissues a person is allergic to. Many people believe that cat fur provokes allergy symptoms. However, this is not entirely true. The cause of the disease is a specific type of protein that is produced in the body of our favorite fluffy pets. And during washing, this protein together with saliva gets on the coat. That is why it seems that it is their fur that causes cat allergies.

It should be noted that there is no breed of cat that does not cause allergies. Even sphynxes, which have almost no fur, can become the culprit of such a nuisance as a cat allergy, because they also spread the protein that is allergenic. However, each animal's body produces a different amount of protein. Therefore, it is possible that a person can be severely allergic to one cat and completely allergic to another.

What doctor treats allergies?

It is impossible to cope with the symptoms of the disease on your own. In addition, such an approach is fraught with serious complications. Therefore, at the first uncharacteristic changes in the body, you should seek qualified help at a medical facility. First of all, it is necessary to make an appointment with a general practitioner. It is this doctor will hold an appointment, which will make a preliminary diagnosis and prescribe a referral to a specialist narrower profile. Diagnosis and treatment of allergies to cat fur are engaged in the following doctors:

Our specialists

The prices listed on this website are not a public offer. To clarify the cost of services and make an appointment with the doctor please call 8 (495) 255-37-37.

Can it be cured?

As soon as the results of tests and examinations are ready, a specialist will begin to formulate therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating the symptoms of cat allergy. It is worth saying that modern medicine has not yet developed means that would completely rid mankind of this disease. However, scientists have created pharmacological drugs that can reduce or completely relieve the symptoms of allergies to cat fur. Some of the most effective include:

Antihistamines focus on eliminating the main symptoms of the disease. They include a component that reduces the body's production of histamine. Absorbents are prescribed to remove toxins and other toxic substances. To get rid of the external manifestations of allergies, rashes and redness, the doctor recommends special ointments and creams. Apply them to the affected area of the skin in thin layers.

Your doctor will give you more information about the treatment at the reception, based on the individual characteristics of the patient. In extreme cases, usually with the development of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock, the doctor will administer an injection of adrenaline. In addition, at the beginning of treatment, a specialist will recommend excluding contact with the animal.

Preventive measures

If you have the desire to have a pet, it is recommended to check the reaction of your body and your household for allergies. For example, you can visit friends or acquaintances who already have a cat. It is better if the communication is long, not five minutes, because the allergic reaction may not manifest itself immediately. If after the experiments no signs of allergies were observed, you can with a high degree of probability say that there is no allergy.

If you know that you are prone to allergic reactions, but love for cats does not allow you to completely abandon the pet, then before you get a kitten, you need to carefully consider the choice of breed. Hypoallergenic breeds will make life a lot easier for an allergic person.

But what about if you already have a cat and were later diagnosed with allergies? In such a case, the following preventive measures should be taken to reduce the symptoms of the allergy and to maintain a normal condition:

• If possible, minimize direct contact with the animal;
• Take special anti-allergy medications;
• bathe the pet, and then comb out the fur at least once a week (if possible, this should be left to household members who do not suffer from allergies);
• if possible, remove carpets, rugs, rugs, plaids and other soft coverings that can accumulate hair;
• ventilate the room regularly;
• not to leave personal objects and items of one's closet on the place accessible for the pet.

Symptoms

Let's look at how cat allergies manifest themselves. In fact, manifestations of an allergic reaction can be of different types.

In the background of these symptoms, there may be a general weakness and even an increase in temperature.

The intensity of respiratory symptoms varies from person to person. For some people, they appear after prolonged contact with the cat, while for others an attack can start literally when the animal appears.

• The appearance of irritation and itching on the skin;
• burning and itching;
• Rashes, blisters and redness.

Skin symptoms are usually manifested by direct contact with the animal. If the allergic reaction is expressed only in this way, then the patient will simply minimize the risks of their manifestation – it is sufficient to exclude contact with representatives of the cat.

If the allergen enters the food, the symptoms can manifest themselves in this way – a general deterioration of the condition, urges to vomit and pain in the stomach area. In this case it is also important not to delay a visit to the doctor, so that a specialist will be able to make the correct diagnosis as early as possible.

It should be noted that all of the above symptoms are not unique and may indicate the development of another disease. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and determination of the cause of the symptoms is key.

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose the disease. Don't delay a consultation-call us at +7 (495) 775-73-60

When to call a doctor

When symptoms typical of cat allergy appear, and if there are no other apparent causes that can explain them, it is recommended to see a specialist. Particular care should be taken if the allergy sufferer is a child, if he has difficulty breathing, if there is swelling of the larynx, swollen face. In this case, you need to immediately call an ambulance.

Self-diagnosis and starting to take anti-allergy medication is the worst solution. Only professional diagnosis in the clinic can accurately determine the cause of the symptoms. The fact is that many other diseases are often "masked" by allergies, which can be "triggered". Allergies can also carry a serious threat to the human body, leading to laryngeal edema and other consequences.

The main method of diagnosing a cat allergy is through special medical tests. The patient is subjected to blood sampling for the detection of immunoglobulin E, as well as skin tests.

Why is it not advisable to self-medicate? There are many cases where the emergence of symptoms was not caused by the cat, although in a certain sense the animal played a role, which allowed false conclusions. The most common variants of a misdiagnosis:

• An allergic reaction can be caused by pet care supplies and products (litter box filler, cat shampoo, cat food, etc.);
• cats accustomed to walks outside can bring other allergens (flower pollen, mold particles, etc.) on their fur;
• infection from an animal with other diseases with similar symptoms (chlamydia, scabies mite, etc.).

Causes

To the end, the factors that cause the ailment have not yet been studied. A person may not notice the allergen for a long time, while specific reactions will not be observed. At some point, the immune system accepts this irritant as dangerous, and begins to produce antibodies. Upon repeated contact with the pathogen, symptoms and signs of allergy appear. Causes may include:

Allergy signs are thought to occur most often when the immune system malfunctions. But there may be other factors that influence the appearance of the ailment:

• Diseases of the digestive tract. In this case, allergens are not digested as in a healthy body, but enter the bloodstream.
• Abnormalities in the work of the liver. If it begins to fail in its cleansing functions, the risk of disease greatly increases.
• Kidney failure. Disruption of excretory function can lead to allergies.

In children, the disease often develops during the transition to artificial feeding. In addition, if the mother abuses products that are allergens during pregnancy, such as citrus fruits, eggs, chocolate or coffee, the child has a predisposition to this disease. The expectant mother should definitely give up smoking and alcohol, which can affect the immune system of the fetus.

In many cases, allergies are hereditary. In this case, the type of irritant in parents and children, as a rule, the same. Occupational activity should not be disregarded: hairdressers, household chemistry salespeople, employees of dusty industries fall into the risk group.

In today's world, the environment is severely disrupted. Various toxic chemicals are in:

This state of affairs can lead to sensitization. It can be quite difficult to determine the causes of allergy symptoms, although it is very important for proper treatment.

What doctor can help?

Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that this disease is not dangerous. They try to get rid of the symptoms on their own, especially if the ailment is seasonal in nature. This not only does not give positive results, but also causes significant complications. Therefore, after discovering signs of allergies, it is necessary to consult a doctor. It will help you:

Our specialists

The prices given on this website are not a public offer. To clarify the cost of services and make an appointment with a doctor please call 8 (495) 255-37-37.

Service prices

First of all, the doctor will conduct a detailed survey. At the reception he will try to find out:

1. How long has the condition been present?
2. Have there been similar cases in the past?
3. How are the signs of the disease expressed?
4. What irritants do you think might have caused the allergy?
5. Which relatives had similar afflictions?
6. Nature of the patient's work.
7. Presence of chronic infections.