Help For Cat Lovers With Allergies | Covenant Allergy and Asthma

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, about 30-40% of children and young adults with asthma are also allergic to animal dander–and cats are the frequent offender. Generally, when we talk about our allergies, we talk about avoidance as the first defense. But what about those people who genuinely adore their feline friends? Is there no hope?

Covenant Allergy and Asthma knows that every allergy and asthma case is different, but if you love cats, you should know that some cat owners do effectively manage their allergy to the beloved family pet. While there are no total guarantees, there are steps you can take to make cat ownership a reality.

First, let’s talk treatments for your symptoms. Common treatments are often used in synergy and may include:

Antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin or cetirizine Zyrtec
Corticosteroid nasal sprays including Flonase or mometasone Nasonex
OTC decongestant sprays, saline spray, or neti pots
Leukotriene inhibitors like Singulair
Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots
Herbal supplements such as butterbur
Acupuncture
Probiotics

Before you bring a new pet home, talk to your doctor or allergist. They can work with you to develop a plan of action, which might include any of the following:

Removing all other allergens from your home.
You want to get rid of as much existing allergens like mites, dust, and mold. Cat dander likes to cling to the soft materials of curtains, drapes, furniture, rugs, and carpets. Consider alternatives wherever you can–blinds instead of curtains, leather furniture instead of soft fabric covered pieces, hard flooring over carpeting.

Begin to visit with cats.
There are lots of ways to gradually increase your exposure to cats. You can visit a friend’s home where there are pet cats. You can visit a pet shelter or pet store. You might even attend a local cat show if one pops up in your area. When it comes to actually handling the cat, it helps to know the feline is fed and relaxed. Your doctor can talk to you about the steps here, but it’s wise to take your allergy medication about 30 minutes before the meet and greet. Keep the first visit to 10 or 15 minutes and try another visit in a week or two, and bump the time up to 30 minutes.

If you have asthma or allergies which have gotten in the way of your cat ownership dreams, taking a more deliberate and multifaceted approach to treatment and exposure may be the ticket to making it possible for you to enjoy your own pet cat. We certainly recommend immunotherapy, which for some can provide total relief. The process is worth the results! For further information about the ways we might help you, visit our website today.