How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Allergic to Cats

About 15 percent of the U.S. population reports an allergy to cats or dogs, with cats being particularly problematic for many, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergic reactions to pets can take up to two years to develop, says Dr. Karen Serrano of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So parents often don't notice a pet allergy until the toddler years. If you own a cat and your toddler chronically struggles with a runny nose, cough, congestion and rashes, a cat allergy could be the cause.

Instructions

How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Allergic

• 1

  Recognize the symptoms of cat allergies. Usually these are itchy eyes, a runny nose, asthma-like breathing symptoms, a rash or red, itchy skin.

• 2

  Understand that toddlers with cat allergies might appear to have frequent colds. The main difference is that allergies last year-round, whereas colds are seasonal.

• 3

  Remove the pet from the home for an extended period of time. It can take up to six months after the trigger is removed for allergic symptoms to subside, acordng to Serrano.

• 4

  Clean the home, all bedding and all clothing thoroughly while the cat is not in the home. Dander, which is what causes the allergy, can remain in the environment long after the cat is removed, and it will continue causing the allergic reaction.

• 5

  Enlist the help of an allergist to professionally diagnose the allergy.