Cat Allergy

Cat allergy is the most common pet allergy and up to 40% of asthma sufferers are sensitive to cats.

A tiny protein particle, the "Fel d 1" allergen, is found in the cat's skin flakes and saliva. This is deposited on the fur by the cat licking itself. It is shed into the air and can be deposited on the walls and clothing in the home. The cat allergen may remain airborne for months due to its small size. If breathed in by the allergy sufferer, it will lead to an allergic reaction within minutes. These allergic reactions usually include itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, asthma and itchy skin rashes.

In some studies it has been shown that over 80%of asthmatic children whose home contained a cat at the time of their birth and during the first year of their life, will develop a cat allergy. While less than 40% of asthmatic children whose homes contained either no cat or a cat after the first year of life will develop a cat allergy. The cat allergen is much more likely to cause sensitisation than that of the dog. The cat allergen can also cause allergies by being brought into homes where no cats live, for example on a person's clothing. This has been noted to occur quite commonly in the school class-room setting.

Asthma and Airborne Allergens in the Home

Of all the inhaled allergens that affect indoor air quality, dust is the most common. More specifically, the culprits are dust mites and their waste products. Dust mites, pet dander, and pollen are common allergens that cause seasonal rhinitis, commonly known as "hay fever." To learn more about these allergens and how to control your symptoms go to Airborne Allergens.

Pet Problems: Cat Allergy and Other Offenders

Cat dander, as well as animal saliva, urine and excrement are recognized as common causes of allergic reaction. However, the animal fur itself is not the problem; it is merely the carrier of common allergens such as dust mites, pollen and mold.

Although cat allergy is very common among asthmatics, dogs, too, have been known to cause allergic symptoms. Bird feathers and droppings are also common sources of allergens. In addition to cats, dogs and birds, other small animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils may be problematic.

Even outdoor pets, farmyard animals, animal feed and bedding can cause problems. Horses, cows, goats, and poultry can all harbor potent allergens.
 

Practical Solutions for Pet Allergies

Removing pets is not always a practical option. Current statistics report that over seventy percent of U.S. homes have a dog or cat in residence. This poses something of a dilemma for asthmatics. So, what can be done about pet allergies if exposure to pets is unavoidable?

The common recommendation for decreasing allergic asthma symptoms is a course of immunotherapy shots. On average, treatment continues for at least three years, with symptoms and medication usually decreasing after approximately six months of weekly injections.

Also, if your asthma is allergy-induced, you'd be wise to consult an allergist-immunologist for advice on medications that are appropriate for the treatment of specific animal allergies, such as cat allergy. Typical treatments may include nasal sprays, decongestants, or antihistamines. More information on the options available for treating allergies is available through the Allergy Treatment Tool.

SOURCE:

Pet Allergy (Allergy Society of South Africa) Copyright Allergy Society of South Africa. Witten by Dr Adrian Morris http://zingsolutions.com/ALLSA/pet.htm#cat

Asthma Linked to Cat & Alternaria Mold Allergies

By Robin Lloyd, LiveScience Senior Editor, Sept. 29, 2007

More than 50 percent of the current asthma cases in the U.S. are the result of allergies, especially to cats, according to a new National Institutues of Health (NIH) study.

Asthmatics, people with allergies and doctors alike have long debated possible connections between pets, dust, ragweed, mold, fungus, foods, cockroaches, traffic exhaust, smog, pollen, trees blooming, leaves falling ... and wheezing attacks, which can be terrifying and life-threatening.

The lack of consensus can be maddening for those who stay up at night with kids gasping for breath, wondering what can be done. Some parents have wondered if children diagnosed with asthma, and medicated for the condition, don't actually have an untreated allergy instead.

The new research shows that 56.3 percent of asthma cases can be attributed to atopy, or allergies, which result from gene-environment interactions and can be measured by a positive skin test to substances in the environment, said Darryl C. Zeldin, a senior investigator at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the NIH.

Cat allergens were found to account for 29.3 percent of the asthma cases, followed by the fungus Alternaria at 21.1 percent and White Oak at 20.9 percent. White Oaks are long-lived trees native to eastern North America and found as far west as Texas and Minnesota.

"This study tells us that allergy is a major factor in asthma," said Peter Gergen of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (also part of NIH), lead author of the study available online today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "But this study also tells us that thee are many people who get asthma who don't have allergies. We need to do more research to understand what is causing the asthma that is not related to allergies."

Other allergens were tested, such as ragweed, dustmites, Russian thistle, Bermuda grass, peanuts, perennial rye and german cockroach, but only cats, the fungus and white oak were positively and independently associated with asthma.

"Sensitization to cat appears to be a strong risk factor for asthma in this study," Zeldin said. Some research suggests that exposure to cats early in life may protect children from allergies, but if children have cat allergies or get asthma-like symptoms, parents should consult their physician about whether to get rid of pets.

About 10,500 individuals were tested for their link to atopy, or allergies, as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Study, a national representative sample of the U.S. population.

"This study confirms that the environment plays a major role in the development of asthma," Zeldin said. "Given the complexity of this disease it won't be easy, but if we can prevent or reverse atopy, we could reduce a large proportion of asthma cases."