Cat Allergy Information for Pet Cat Lovers

Cat Allergy

One of the usual pets in every home is the cat, this is because many people find it easy to take care of. Likewise, it is considered as a very sweet animal. However, all cat lovers must be cautious because cats may cause allergies to us humans especially to a number of allergic individuals.

Cats contain a substance called glycoprotein, secreted by their sebaceous glands, which is the main cause of allergen of cats. This can be found in the fur of the cat, in its urine, saliva, hair roots, and pelt. The worst is that cat allergens are very tiny, about ten times smaller than dust particles, are airborne for almost a few months and can be carried on clothing, and different stuff exposed to cats.

An allergic individual exposed to cats and their allergens may suffer some symptoms such as reddening, swelling and watering of eyes, sneezing, itchiness of the nose, skin, ears, and some other parts of the body, may increase skin rashes, conciseness of breathing and some endure asthma.

One perfect preventive measure to avoid cat allergy is to remove cats in your home. If you cannot get rid of cats, you can reduce the allergen in your homes by avoiding the use of soft upholstered furniture. You should also off limit your cats especially on your living rooms and bedrooms. There is also a study, which shows that washing cats in a regular basis reduces its allergen.

An individual who suffers from cat allergy should always keep away from cats, and should frequently follow what is being advised by physicians, because some people who tend to disregard physician’s advises may cause more bad effects on them.

All About Pet Dogs And Dog Allergy

By: Charlene J. Nuble -

Dog Allergy

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or AAAAI estimates that about 10 million pet lovers or pet owners in the United States are allergic to animals’ fur.

More and more households in the country are adopting or sheltering a pet dog, which is considered man’s best friend even from the time of the ancient civilization.

Dogs are canines that are perceived as intelligent and trainable among all other animals. We see dogs everywhere, in the movies, in cartoons, in the television (remember Lassie?), and even in high-security areas like malls. In the latter case, dogs are trained to sniff bombs, drugs and other illegal substances in the surroundings.

The world is a ‘dog eat dog world’ and it can be even found truthful if you are allergic to dogs.

Dog allergies and cat allergies in similarities and contrast

However, there are more reported or diagnosed cases of cat allergies than dog allergies all throughout the world because cats are more inclined to spread their danders through their habitual and constant grooming or bathing session by rubbing saliva all throughout their body.

Dog allergy can be found in people with specific allergies to dog furs and those who have history of asthma. Asthma is another reaction triggered by exposure to allergens or allergy-causing substances.

Modern science and recent findings indicate that people who were exposed to either cats and dogs while they were infants will unlikely develop cat or dog allergy. It is because their immune system will get accustomed to the two animals’ danders at an early stage.

Also take notice that people who have developed cat or dog allergy grew up in households where there were no cats or dogs around. Start asking now, or likely, begin by looking at yourself or somebody you know. The assumption is accurate, right?

Symptoms of dog allergy

Just like in any other form of allergy, symptoms or manifestation of dog allergy include wheezing, coughing, itchy and/ or teary or watery eyes and constant sneezing.

Severe dog allergy attacks can be indicated by difficulty in breathing, which is similar to a severe asthma attack. If left untreated, the person’s life could be in danger.

But remember, treatments for asthma and other allergies, including dog allergy are only treatments or relievers. They are not meant and they can not ensure long term cures.

Allergies are not curable, they are only treatable. Hence, dog allergy if successfully treated will reoccur if the person or the patient exposes himself again to dog fur or danders.

Treatment and avoidance

The best treatment is always prevention. As they say, an ounce of prevention is far better than pounds of cure. So it is in the case of dog allergies.

To treat dog allergies, the patient will have to be advised that he should avoid getting near or cuddling dogs. Through that, dog allergy can be successfully controlled or curtailed.

But if that basic prevention measure is ineffective, the patient will have to take either antihistamines, decongestants or corticosteroids. Antihistamines are the common drugs taken during asthma or other allergy attacks.

Decongestants decongest breathing areas or tubes in the body by reducing swellness of nasal tissues thus relieving breathing.

Corticosteroids on the other hand, are drugs that reduce or eliminate inflammation of organs or tissues in the body that may have resulted from the onset of the dog allergy.