How to Know If a Child Is Allergic to Cats

Cat allergies are all too common. In fact, many people have the condition and don't even realize it. They may blame symptoms on pollen or seasonal changes. When it's your child, however, you are more aware of her physical well being. Any little sneeze or discomfort makes you feel uncomfortable. If you suspect your child is allergic to cats, this article can help you find out if your hypothesis is true. Here you will learn the truth about cat allergens and how to tell if you child is allergic to them.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Check your child about 15 minutes after first being exposed to a cat. Allergies typically appear between 15 minutes and 40 minutes after exposure. If you own a feline yourself, however, this is almost impossible to detect since clothing usually has allergens on it throughout the day. Itchy eyes is one of the easiest things to spot because you can physically see it.

• 2

  Watch for a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezes when your child plays inside. Most pollen allergies only occur when the person goes outside. Pet fur, dander and feces allergies occur most often indoors.

• 3

  Recruit someone to pet sit your cat for a couple of weeks. This is the first step to rid your home and your family's clothing of all cat debris. It will not, however, solve the problem because furniture, carpeting, air ducts, curtains, and anything else you can think of still contains allergens for some time.

• 4

  Wash your clothing and your child's clothing. You don't have to do the entire wardrobe right away--just enough for a couple of weeks, to see if your child is allergic to cats.

• 5

  Go on a trip with your child. Get away from all possible cat allergens. A few days isn't enough for the body. It literally takes at least a week to see any results. If your child is allergic to cats, the itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose should go away towards the end of your trip and return when you get home with your cat.