|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

Eczema and Cat-Dander Allergy

If you have allergies or asthma, chances are you may suffer from eczema, an itchy skin irritation that can make you very uncomfortable and render you vulnerable to infections. One of the many triggers for an eczema flareup is animal dander, which gets everywhere--in the air, on soft surfaces and on you when you come in contact with the animal. Some people are more sensitive to cat dander than other types of animal dander. You can minimize your chance of a dander-triggered eczema flareup.

  1. Eczema

    • Also called atopic dermatitis, eczema is the result of an oversensitive immune system. When your skin comes in contact with an allergen or irritant, you may break out in red, itchy, dry or blistered patches. If you scratch them, the patches tend to spread and you may even make them bleed, which can make you vulnerable to infection.

    Cat Dander

    • All furry animals have dander--microscopic particles of dead skin and hair that become airborne and stick to surfaces. Dander of any kind can be an allergen, but allergic reactions to cats can be particularly severe. The protein Fel D1 is present in cats' saliva with which they groom themselves, and in their sebaceous glands, which secrete the oils that keep their coats soft and shiny. The allergen from the saliva gets on the fur, making the dander especially potent. When this gets on an allergic person's skin, it can be very irritating and trigger an eczema flareup.

    Avoidance

    • It's impossible to completely avoid cat dander even if you don't have a cat and never go anyplace where cats live, because dander is airborne and can travel on surfaces. If you know their dander triggers eczema flareups, however, you can minimize your exposure to cats and to their environments, including their beds, blankets, cat furniture, litter boxes, toys and brushes.

    Cleaning

    • If you do live with a cat, keep her out of your bedroom. Vacuum every day with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. Have another member of the household wipe the cat weekly with a damp cloth; wear gloves if you have to do this yourself.

    Treating Your Eczema

    • Avoid hot water, which leeches the protective oils from your skin. Your doctor may recommend oral antihistamines and topical corticosteroids to control flareups, or immunotherapy (allergy shots) to help prevent them.

Allergies - Related Articles