Cat allergy is a particularly severe form of allergy that can affect patients even if they are not in contact with the animal.
The best-known cat allergen is known as Feld1 and can be found in the animal saliva, but also in its urine.
What is cat epithelium allergy?
«The cat allergen persists long after the animal has been removed.»
The most common symptoms
Reddened itchy eyes, tearing
Clogged itchy and runny nose
Sneezing, dry cough
Difficulty breathing, wheezing
In symptomatic individuals, manifestations may affect the eyes (conjunctivitis), the nose (rhinitis with sneezing, itching, runny nose and nose obstruction) and the bronchi (coughing, wheezing, asthma attacks). The allergen is small and very volatile and can be passively carried by clothes and hair, so it can be found in many environments such as schools, offices, friends’ houses even if the animal is not present. Its characteristics also make it particularly risky for the bronchi, where it can easily penetrate, causing symptoms of increased reactivity (coughing, exertion hissing or exposure to irritants), but also real asthmatic crises, sometimes serious. Period of exposure to allergens: all year round.
Useful information
Siberian and Norwegian cats are thought to be naturally lower producers of the major allergen Fel d1.
This may make them more tolerable by allergy sufferers, provided that the allergy degree is not very high and the symptoms are not serious.
In general, female and castrated cats produce less Fel d1.
Short guide
- Recognize symptoms
- Find out and investigate
- Consult a specialist doctor
- Start a treatment path