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Cat Allergies in Young Children

Young children may develop allergies to cats. There are a wide range of symptoms that may result from the allergy and there are a number of treatment options available---medical and otherwise.

  1. Symptoms

    • Sneezing, red and itchy eyes (that might swell) and a stuffy or runny nose are very common. Coughing may result along with raspy breathes or wheezing and severe reactions may cause asthma attacks.

    Allergen

    • While it's possible a cat's fur is the allergen, research has shown it is actually a protein, Fel d 1, in the dander and saliva that is usually the problem. Most cats spend a large amount of time grooming themselves, and they bathe by licking their fur. When the saliva dries, it can flake off and circulate through the air.

    Medical Treatment

    • A pediatric allergist will be able to determine if it is a cat allergy and recommend a course of treatment, such as antihistamines or allergy shots.

    At Home

    • Washing the cat's bedding, vacuuming rugs and upholstered furniture with allergy vacuums, High-Efficiency Particle Arresting (HEPA) air cleaners, allergen reducing furniture polish and solutions that you can apply directly to your cat's fur may minimize the allergens.

    Choice of Cat

    • Hypoallergenic breeds of cats are available.

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