How to get a cat if you are allergic

There was no special preparation – scheduled cleaning, the cat was allowed to walk around where he wanted. My daughter had a small reaction to him at first, but now there is no reaction at all. The body, apparently, has adapted.

# 60. 🤧 Can an allergic person get a cat? 🐈

Allergies are a real scourge of developed countries and especially big cities. According to different data, it affects from 12 to 45% of people around the world. And one of the most common is cat allergy. However, despite the plurality, this reaction only affects some individuals, not the species as a whole.

And this is great news for those who really want to take home a cat but are wary of allergies. Whether you were allergic to a previous cat or showed unpleasant symptoms when you visited, you shouldn't despair. In this article, the Murkosha shelter team shares the secrets of finding the perfect cat for allergy sufferers.

This article is illustrated for you by a special kitty Simon, we are looking for the most caring and soulful owners for him.

📃 Age. Kittens have less allergen than adult animals, but this is due to the fact that babies' bodies are not yet fully formed. A seemingly hypoallergenic kitten, growing up, can suddenly provoke even a very strong reaction. Therefore, only an adult animal can guarantee the absence of a reaction.

Kitty Leoncia (now Martha) who left the shelter on March 29, 2020: Leoncia's "happiness at home" had already been interfered with by allergies once and she had to return to the shelter. However she is doing very well now: "Martha has been home for more than a month and feels wonderful! She is always walking with her tail, lying beside me, purring like a little tractor when you stroke her)").

📃 Gender. Cats produce more allergen than cats. The latter are preferable for allergy sufferers.

📃 Hormonal background. Levels of potentially allergenic proteins are significantly higher in unspayed cats and unsterilized cats. This is especially fundamental for allergy sufferers, but far from the only reason for the importance of spaying pets.

Kitty Tasty (who turned out to be Kitty Cupcake) went home from the shelter on October 23, 2019. Delicious had gone home before, but she went back to the shelter a week ago due to her owners' allergies. Fortunately, fortune didn't turn its back on the little girl – a week later, she met her new family again.

Which cats are good for allergy sufferers?

"Cat breeds that do not cause allergies" is a very popular search query, which is not surprising, because allergies are a common disease these days. The issue of allergies and related issues is regularly raised at Murkosha shelter: owners refuse cats because of allergic reactions (often even unconfirmed), while allergy sufferers are looking for a kitten that does not provoke allergies. Is it possible for them?

1. Dependence of the allergic reaction on age, sex of the pet and other factors
2. Diagnosing an allergy
3. So, you have an allergy…
4. What is a cat allergy
5. Are there cat breeds for those with allergies?
6. How to choose a cat for an allergic person

According to various data, anywhere from 12 to 45% of people around the world are allergic. And one of the most common is a cat allergy. Because of this, two situations are possible:

Don't be in a hurry to part with your pet! Firstly make sure that the allergy really exists and that it is specifically to the cat: consult specialists, take tests. But even if both are confirmed, it's not necessarily a verdict on your relationship with your pet – you can fight the manifestations of allergic reactions.

Read more about what to do in such a situation: Treating Cat Allergies

1. You found out that you are allergic, but you still want to get a kitten. You're probably wondering if there are any special breeds of cats for allergy sufferers that will not cause an allergic reaction (or its manifestations will be much weaker).

We have two pieces of news for you: the good news and the bad news. The bad news is that there are no allergenic breeds today (the ones that do not cause allergies). If some cattery promises you to sell allergy-free kittens, do not believe it: unscrupulous or just misguided breeders may be trying to market their breed that way.

What are hypoallergenic cat breeds

Unfortunately, allergies (even unconfirmed ones) are the most common reason for parting with a pet. On the other hand, there are allergy sufferers who are willing to take on a cat in spite of their illness. Is it possible for them? The Murkosha shelter gets a lot of calls from people who have questions about allergies. We hope that this article will be helpful and answer some of these questions.

1. Dependence of an allergic reaction on age, sex of the pet, and other factors
2. Diagnosing an allergy
3. So, you have an allergy…
4. What is a cat allergy
5. Are there hypoallergenic cat breeds?
6. Let's summarize.

An allergy is a sharp reaction of the body's immune system to certain substances (antigens), caused by hypersensitivity to these substances. In fact, it is an attempt by the immune system to protect itself from antigens that are perfectly safe for most people.

Allergies are a real scourge of developed countries and especially big cities. According to various data, it affects from 12 to 45% of people around the world. And one of the most common types is cat allergy. In this regard, two situations are possible:

Don't be in a hurry to part with your pet! First, make sure that the allergy really exists and that it is for a cat: consult specialists, take tests. But even if both are confirmed, it's not necessarily a death sentence for your relationship with your pet-allergic symptoms can be dealt with.

Read more about what to do in such a situation: Treating Cat Allergies

People who suffer from allergies are familiar with the word "hypoallergenic," which means not causing (or almost not causing) allergies. Are there any hypoallergenic cats?

Cat allergies are primarily associated with cat hair, so as hypoallergenic cats come to mind are hairless breeds such as sphinxes. But it's not all that simple.

Breed

Exotic, Scottish and British cats are considered the most allergenic because of their "stuffed" coats with dense, thick undercoat, which are easily and in large quantities spread everywhere. The most hypoallergenic are sphynxes, orientals, Abyssinian and, strange as it may seem, Siberian cats, as well as their mestizos (75% of allergic cats have no reaction to Siberians). Non-breeds do not have such strict specifications, so when choosing among them you are not restricted by breed boundaries either by appearance or behavior.

It has been experimentally shown that white and light-colored cats are less likely to be allergic. Geneticists assume that the concentration of allergenic proteins is related to the saturation of pigmentation.

And here are our light-colored cats. Look into these eyes, they surely will not leave you indifferent.

Length of coat

At first glance, it might seem that it is the cat's fur that causes allergies. But in fact, it only contributes to the spread of the allergen. Therefore, there is no direct correlation between the length of hair and the allergenicity of cats.

Read more: Cat hair allergy: what to do?

Cat allergies over time can be less pronounced or even go away if the immune system becomes accustomed to the constant presence of the allergen. The modern method of treating allergies, Allergen Specific Immunotherapy (ASIT), is based on this principle.

Allergologists advise everyone, before you get a pet, to do allergy testing to find out if you are allergic to the chosen pet. Shelter "Murkosha" offers a simple procedure of such testing in 3 steps:

Once you receive the results of the test, you can be sure whether a particular cat can cause your allergies.

Murkosha is contacted by many people with questions about allergies. We hope that this article will help everyone who is interested to find answers and understand that allergies are not an absolute contraindication for those who want to get a cat. We will be glad to see you among the guests of the shelter any day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Allergy to cats in children: treatment

If you suspect that your baby is allergic to a pet, it is best to consult your pediatrician. He will prescribe the necessary tests for allergies and advise to take antihistamines, drops in the nose, if there is congestion.

Can I get a cat if I have allergies?

Is there hope for an allergic person to adopt a furry pet? Answer: Yes, there is!

Instructions for allergy sufferers: how to get a cat?

Exotic, Scottish and British cats are considered the most allergenic breeds. Cats with white hair also pose a high risk, which has been proven by experience. Therefore, it is better for people suffering from allergies to find a pet among the following breeds that are considered hypoallergenic:

And the best option for an allergic person will be a cat (female) Siberian breed, as well as its mestizos.

Take care of your furry pet and his gratitude will not make you wait long!

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How to get a cat if you are allergic

Doctors interviewed by RIA Novosti do not recommend getting pets for those with allergies and note that the definition of "hypoallergenic animals" exists only "in. RIA Novosti, 02.04.2021

MOSCOW, April 2 – RIA Novosti. Doctors polled by RIA Novosti do not recommend allergy sufferers to own pets and note that the definition of "hypoallergenic animals" exists only "among the people," but they hope that the method of allergen treatment currently under study will prove to be good and will allow people suffering from the disease to keep cats at home in the future. Fiction or realityThe concept of hypoallergenic animals exists only among people – if a person has no reaction to a pet, he takes it for the absence of allergy, which may appear at any time, said Mikhail Kostinov, MD, professor, immunologist and allergologist. Only to some dogs there will be (reaction – ed.) more, to others less. Everything depends on what provoking substances that are released from this dog, will be in smaller or larger quantities," he explained.D., allergist-immunologist Elena Timoshina agrees with him, who in turn clarified that allergies in humans most often causes the protein of the epidermis, epithelium, animals – the upper layer of skin. "There is protein, and on this protein human immune system reacts as the enemy, for it is a foreign substance. That is, people think that this is an allergy to wool, in fact, it is not. Most epidermal allergies are allergies to epidermal protein. Slightly less common are allergies to biological fluids of animals – saliva, secretions of genital glands, but these are nuances, such patients are much less, "- she said.Also, the expert noted that such allergies are sometimes expressed in a weak degree, because a person who has no regular contact with animals can meet them in a guest, in the zoo, although initially his tests showed a low titer of antibodies. "Such minor and short-term contact is not enough for the immune system to build up a large number of antibodies. Accordingly, there are no or minimal clinical manifestations. But as soon as a person gets an animal and contact with it becomes permanent, for the immune system of the allergic person it means that there is an enemy near him all the time, which must be fought against. Further a person develops an allergic reaction to the animal, because the number of antibodies increases in proportion to how often a person comes into contact with him, "- she emphasized.In addition, Timoshina pointed out that options when a pet lives in one room and is not allowed to where a person sleeps, does not work, because this allergenic – it rises in the air, no matter where the animal is. "And even after a thorough cleaning of the room after the animal allergen remains in the apartment of three months There is polyvalent sensitization (increased sensitivity to many allergens – ed.), which will additionally occur to house dust or to flowering. That is, a constantly present allergen gives "chances" that allergies to other allergens that were not there before may arise here," he stressed.Also, according to Timoshina, constant contact with his pet may indeed form a less strong reaction than to other people's allergens, which the person encountered for the first time, but this effect is not curative. "Because as soon as a person leaves for vacation, spend two weeks without a pet, returns, everything begins with a new force. That is, you can't expect that some amount of time will pass and the animal allergens will dissolve. They won't. Because in order to form immunity, it must enter the body in huge doses, and in nature there is no such dose," she explained.Treatment with allergensKostinov said that allergologists do not recommend getting other animals if there is already an allergy to any of them, as for the allergic person any irritant that meets him a lot, can cause a reaction. "It is clear that there are people who can not live without animals. In such cases, we go to treatment with allergens. This is called pathogenetic treatment or ASiT – allergen-specific immunotherapy, when this allergen is introduced into the body and gradually produce a body", – he specified.Now, as noted Timoshina, this method is at the stage of development and will apply to cat allergens. "Another question, what indications for this type of treatment – will it be for everyone or only for those who for professional reasons must come into contact with animals. That already depends on the instructions that the Ministry of Health will approve. But there is hope for allergy sufferers," she concluded.

Can a cat allergy appear over time?

Allergy to animals develops mainly in childhood. It is common in asthmatics and is often accompanied by a reaction to mites. If the child did not develop symptoms of animal allergy before the age of 14, the likelihood of it occurring as an adult is reduced, but it cannot be completely ruled out.

The development of the disease begins after the first contact with an allergen, to which the body's immune system produces antibodies. It can take a long time from the moment of repeated contact until signs of an allergic reaction appear. Symptoms of allergy usually develop within minutes of human contact with epithelial particles or cat hair, but if there is low sensitivity to the irritant or a small amount of it, they appear after a few days.

Allergy to a cat can also occur after several years of life with a pet under the same roof. In this case it is important to make sure that the cause is an animal, especially for people with cross-allergies, since they may have an immune response to allergens of a similar chemical structure to which they did not react before. You can find this out with an allergy test.

Are animal allergies hereditary?

Animal allergies are not inherited, a child can only inherit a predisposition to them, which does not mean that the disease will necessarily manifest itself. According to studies, if one parent has an animal allergy, there is a 25% chance of passing it on to the child. If both parents suffer from allergies, this risk increases to 80%.

Cat allergy symptoms can be managed by taking antihistamines recommended by your doctor. They come in the form of tablets, which are taken once a day. The therapeutic effect occurs in an hour and lasts a day. When a heavy runny nose accompanied by itching in the nose, nasal sprays with corticosteroids or vasoconstrictor drops are prescribed. If you have any allergies, you should first consult an allergist, so as not to harm your health.

Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the allergy. The only way to get rid of it is to remove the irritant, i.e. the cat. Although this is the most common recommendation, not all owners are ready to part with their pet. In this case, compliance with measures aimed at reducing exposure to the allergen will be the best solution to the problem:

• Do not let the cat into the bedroom;
• Do not kiss or touch the cat's face. Wash your hands every time you pet the cat;
• Allocate a separate room for the cat to help limit the spread of allergens throughout the apartment;
• Use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing) air filters in vacuum cleaners, air conditioners and ventilation systems. They can effectively capture and remove the smallest particles of allergens such as cat saliva, hair and dander from the air;
• Wipe off dust and damp mopping daily. It is advisable to protect your face with a cloth mask during this time;
• Get rid of carpets, curtains, and other items that accumulate dust. It is advisable to put covers on upholstered furniture, which should be washed regularly;
• Get a humidifier. Keep indoor humidity at 40%. This way the allergenic particles don't float around in the air, but settle on the floor;
• if the pet is tolerant of water, bathe at least once a week with a special shampoo that does not dry the skin;
• Comb the cat's hair regularly and wash its litter box daily. It is better to leave these procedures to a member of the household.

Why tests are important

It may be that the cat or dog had nothing to do with it at all. It can be caused by house and library dust, bed mites, perfumes, detergents and dishwashing detergents, building and decorating materials, plant pollen, mold, and even oatmeal. Sometimes it is triggered by skin contact with dry food or toilet fillers. It is also worth analyzing if the reaction occurred at the same time as the animal came into the house. After all, even in this situation, it is possible that this event simply coincided with the first manifestation of allergy to something else (read alsoAllergies: where they come from, what they are and whether you can get rid of them forever).

For example, the diagnosis will show that the allergy was caused by alder flowering – then it is sufficient to simply take antihistamines during this period. Usually the ailment manifests itself in the form of pollinosis, seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

In what other situations is the test important? It should be taken if you are prone to allergies and are just going to get a pet. You should not give up on the idea just because you already had a bad experience living with a cat or dog as a child. Allergic reactions change as you get older, and over time the problem may go away on its own.

Pets cannot make a person allergic. On the contrary, those who grew up in a house with cats and dogs are slightly less prone to allergies of various kinds. Unfortunately, people go to doctors for advice less often than they should, and when symptoms appear in themselves or a child, they often make a decision without a diagnosis.

How animal allergies arise

A common misconception is that pet allergies are caused by pet hair. But, in fact, it is caused by a protein that a cat, dog, or other animal (such as a hamster, ferret, or decorative rat) excretes with saliva, urine, and dander. It spreads easily with fluff, particles of dead skin, and circulates through the air, becoming attached to dust particles.

When the protein gets on the mucosa, the human body mistakenly recognizes it as a danger and starts producing IgE antibodies, which are detected in the blood, and then allergy symptoms appear. Sometimes the first reaction passes quickly, the immune system "understands" that there is no danger, the person adapts and stops reacting painfully to their pet. However, this does not exclude the possibility of getting allergies from contact with other animals.

Alice Breen, Choochie (6 months old), Basta (3 years old) and Drogan (5 months old)

I have lived with cats all my life and have never had a hint of allergies. Five years ago, I suddenly developed asthma. I had periodic attacks (reaction to dust, cats, birds), but to give up the animals did not even think. I tried different treatment options: medications, alternative medicine. Eventually my body coped with allergens and I have not had any attacks for a year and a half already. My lifestyle has not changed much since I got asthma: the cats are allowed to come into my bedroom and lie wherever they like. The only thing is that to help my body continue to cope with allergens, I started paying more attention to the frequency and quality of cleaning.

Marina Tarasova and Semyon (10 years old)

I have a long history of allergies. Even as a child it was enough for me to pet a cat, and I started sneezing, coughing and crying. One way or another there were always animals in the house. With the advent of my adult cat, Semen, in order to reduce the concentration of allergens, I began to air the apartment more often and do wet cleaning.

Attempts to set rules: no jumping on the bed, no sleeping on things – were unsuccessful, and eventually I gave up the bans.

Allergies, of course, did not go anywhere, I learned to live with them: if I "kiss" Semyon, I immediately take a pill to control the symptoms, wash my hands more often. Give it away if my allergies worsen? That was not even a thought. Our Semyon is older than our first child and has long been a member of the family.