Cat Allergy Symptoms
 | "Over the years and in various other situations, my symptoms elevated to bad asthma, itchy skin and rashes in connection with cats." |
Over time Michael has probably had all of the main cat allergy symptoms that I've ever read about. For those of you who suffer for the company of your feline friends, you should know that it is the cat's saliva - not the hair or mites - that is the cause of the problem.
Similar to the situation with cat flea saliva (which is the most allergenic substance known to man) cat saliva is actually the thing to be aware of. Hygiene is very important when you deal with cats. Even the smallest amount of saliva can lead to symptoms.
Remember that if you go and sit on the sofa or lie in bed without changing your clothes and washing up that you are essentially bringing the cat with you. You could potentially be spreading the allergen all over the house though cross-contamination. The next time you sit on that sofa you can expect to experience some allergy symptoms.
Much of this can be avoided by washing your hands after 'hands only' contact with a cat. If you were cuddling the cat or they were rubbing up against your skin or clothing, a shower and change of clothes is advised.
The cat allergy symptoms that Michael's had have changed over the years:
Red, itchy, or swollen eyes:
In the beginning he just had itchy eyes. He sometimes says that he has the feeling that there is a cat hair his eyes, but upon inspection, none has ever been found. These kinds of symptoms can drive a person crazy, but upon leaving the company of a cat or a home where there is a cat, the symptoms should subside.
Reddened areas on the skin:
This is a newer symptom for him. Cats like to rub on people's legs and such and sometimes they can catch you by surprise or when you don't want to be rubbed on.
If you develop any type of skin rash, always wash your skin with soap, even if you only had little contact. To avoid a rash altogether, change your clothes and shower after contact with a cat. If your allergy is severe enough, you may get a rash no matter what but these steps will help to reduce the effect.
Runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing:
He definitely has these symptoms routinely. Sneezing just means that your nose is irritated and leads to a greater production of nasal mucus, which will overflow the sinuses. This will therefore manifest as a runny nose and nasal congestion. In addition, the mucus membranes will swell due to the irritation, which can also feel like a nasal congestion.
Post-nasal drip:
This is basically a runny nose that is draining into the throat. There is more mucus than can be contained in the sinuses. So, when you lie in bed the mucus will drain into the throat rather than come out your nose. This can irritate the throat (sore throat), the vocal cords (hoarse voice) and even the upper respiratory system (which can lead to a cough).
Itching and hoarseness in the throat:
This mainly arises from an irritation of the throat due to excessive mucus production in the sinuses. It can be a part of post-nasal drip.
Coughing and wheezing:
Usually appears in connection with post-nasal drip, but also with Asthma.
Asthma:
This symptom can be very serious so take precautions not to let your body get to that point. Some people even have inhalers prescribed by their doctor for their asthma. If you or your children have asthma, be smart about your contact with cats.
If you already know that you are prone to asthma, don't do dumb things like rubbing your face against a cat, or letting their fur get anywhere near your face. Sometimes they will try to pat your face with their paw so stay alert. Enjoy their company from a distance. If your allergy allows, you may be able to get away with petting them once in awhile but that doesn't mean you should be napping with them.
If you feel an asthma attack coming on, get away from the cats immediately and spend some time in fresh air. Try to stay calm and don't panic. If their hair has gotten on you, you'll want to remedy that as soon as possible.
Frequent bronchitis:
Post-nasal drip can lead to a self-infection of the upper respiratory tract with bacteria from the mucus of the nose. You will get yellow mucus if it is a bacterial infection.