About Cat Allergies

Unfortunately for cat lovers, a relatively high percentage of people are allergic to cats. Cat allergies can range from extremely mild ones to more severe varieties and the spectrum of symptoms varies significantly depending on the severity of the allergic reaction to the cat dander.
Dander, which is the source of most of the allergens, is essentially comprised of small flecks of skin and particles of fur that are shed from the cat's body daily.

Misconceptions

• Cat allergies are not a laughing matter. Those with severe allergies to cats can develop chronic illnesses such as sinus infection and respiratory disorders when exposed to cats for prolonged periods of time. It is true, however, that cat allergies are generally not life-threatening to the sufferer.
  Another misconception is the fact that an allergy to cats means that the person in question will necessarily be allergic to all other animals, or to dogs. This simply isn't the case. A person can be extremely allergic to cats without having any other allergies whatsoever.

Risk Factors

• The main risk factor for developing cat allergies is prolonged exposure to cats. Usually an individual who hasn't been exposed to cats previously will not exhibit and symptoms of a cat allergy when exposed for the first time. After the person's immune system registers the cat dander as an allergen, however, the next exposure to cats can cause a serious reaction with extremely unpleasant side effects.

Effects

• When an affected person's body reacts to a cat allergy a number of symptoms can arise. Itchy skin and eyes is often the first symptom with coughing and sneezing also frequent. Those who have more severe cat allergies may also begin to wheeze and to have difficulty breathing. For those who are exposed to cats for a long time and who have cat allergies, a chronically sore throat may develop and frequent illnesses may occur that are exacerbated by the cat allergy.

History of

• Traditionally speaking there has been very little that a person with cat allergies can do about it other than the act of simply avoiding cats altogether. In recent years, however, more and more treatment options have become available. Those with less serious cat allergies can often treat their symptoms by using over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestant products. For those with more serious allergies, on the other hand, allergy shots and prescription medicines can make a marked difference.

Function

• The function of allergic reactions, such as those to cat allergies, is actually a very important part of how the human body's immune system protects it from disease. When the body believes that its being attacked by a foreign invader it releases histamine to jumpstart the immune system defenses.
  During a cat allergic response, the body identifies the cat dander as a dangerous substance and it reacts by releasing histamine. This is what causes all of the unpleasant effects of the allergic response.