Symptoms of a Cat Allergy in a Toddler

While adults are usually pretty clear on what types of things they are allergic to, it can be much harder to determine a toddler's allergens. This is because toddlers are constantly interacting with their world in such a way that they are frequently far more likely to ingest unusual things, rub things on their bodies and stick odd combinations in their eyes. At the same time, they cannot communicate as effectively as an adult can. If you suspect that your toddler has a cat allergy, you will need to track his behavior carefully. In addition, there are certain red flags that characterize cat allergies that you can pinpoint to help determine if your toddler is allergic to your pet.

Function

• Cat allergies are usually a result of a human reaction to cat saliva or cat dander (dead skin). These irritants can cause a wide variety of symptoms. However, they do not usually affect humans, except when they come into direct contact with the allergens. If your cat has the run of the house and your toddler appears to have allergy symptoms--like red, itchy eyes; a runny nose; or respiratory complications--it is likely that the cat-related allergens could be causing them. However, if the cat is an outdoor cat and seldom if ever comes into contact with the indoors of the house, this is far less likely to be the cause.

Significance

• Allergic reactions can be more severe in toddlers, because they are small and more susceptible to health problems than older children and adults. A cat allergy is often triggered by the presence of the animal itself. If you notice that your toddler struggles to breathe; sneezes or coughs excessively; or simply becomes red-faced and starts crying when the cat is in the room, all of these point to an allergic reaction. Conversely, if the allergy is extremely severe, the baby may actually become much quieter, but he will still be fussy because he is struggling to breathe.

Identification

• Of course, the best and surest way to pinpoint a cat allergy in a toddler is with an allergy test. This should only be conducted by a licensed physician. If you suspect an allergy, work with your pediatrician to identify and treat it immediately. However, in addition to classic allergy symptoms, toddlers may develop a red rash on their hands, arms, legs and feet due to rubbing these portions of their body on things that have also been in close contact with the cat.

Misconceptions

• While it is fairly common for people of all ages to experience allergic reactions to cats when they are in the vicinity, toddlers can actually suffer from the symptoms when cats are farther away than would be problematic to an older child or adult. For this reason, if your child has symptoms when your cat is not nearby, you cannot assume that the cat is not the culprit. Toddlers are far more sensitive to cat-related allergens than older humans. Also, they are far more likely to get these allergens on their clothes than older children, because they spend so much time close to and on the floor.

Prevention/Solution

• It is nearly impossible to prevent your toddler from developing a cat allergy, since these reactions are largely genetic. However, keeping the baby away from the animal and making sure that you use HEPA air filters in all rooms of your house can keep the symptoms down. You will also need to keep the animal off the furniture and away from anything that the toddler interacts with regularly, such as a sofa or a bed. If your toddler's allergies are not particularly severe, a doctor may recommend a nasal rinse as a treatment and giving it some time. Often, allergies can be outgrown, or at least become much less of a problem. However, in the interim, your toddler may suffer respiratory issues if you decide not to find a new home for your cat.

Warning

• If you suspect that your toddler has a cat allergy, have her tested right away. Continuing to expose her to the cat allergen without taking preventive steps can tax her immune system and make her more susceptible to colds and other illnesses. Finding ways to alleviate the issue can only begin once you are certain about the root cause of the allergic reaction.