Cat Allergy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Cat allergy is the most common form of widespread pet dander allergy. Its symptoms include watery eyes, sneezing and allergic skin reactions, but severe asthma attacks can also occur. The most important step in therapy is to provide immediate relief to the patient. This consists of avoiding any contact with allergens, for example the cats in case of cat allergy.

What is a cat allergy?

Cat allergy and other animal hair allergies together form the third most common form of allergy in Germany, after pollen and house dust mite allergies. Approximately ten percent of the population is affected. Those who suffer from a cat allergy react to the animal proteins found in the animals’ hair. Allergens can also be found in the skin, saliva, sweat or feces, and in the case of cats, also in the vomited hairballs. It is important to know that animal hair itself does not cause allergies, only the proteins that settle in them. Basically, all saliva-producing animals can cause allergy, which is why affected individuals should not keep pets and avoid contact with wild animals. The exact cause for the frequency of cat allergies has not yet been found, but it is suspected that cats have a comparatively strong urge to groom.

Causes

The cause of cat allergy is a misregulated immune system. It initiates, as in all allergies, the so-called exuberant defense reactions when the body comes into contact with animal hair or other substances. The substances that trigger this reaction are called allergens. Cat allergy represents an immediate allergy, which is initiated by immunoglobulin E and is directly related to contact with allergens. The immune system forms antibodies against the immunoglobulins, which bind to the mast cells and stimulate the body to release inflammatory messengers. These messengers, including histamines, trigger acute inflammatory reactions. The question of the heritability of the allergy tendency could not be clarified so far. What is certain is that some cat allergy sufferers suffer from a genetically anchored tendency to hypersensitivity reactions of this allergy type.

Symptoms, complaints and signs

Symptoms of cat allergy can occur in the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Since the allergens are inhaled through the air, the first signs of a cat allergy usually appear through the respiratory tract. Here, milder symptoms are often mistaken for a cold. The symptoms range from a slight scratching in the throat to a constant coughing irritation to severe coughing fits. In addition, the throat and pharynx may become inflamed. A stuffy or runny nose and frequent sneezing can also be symptoms of a cat allergy. In extreme cases, asthma attacks and shortness of breath can occur. The conjunctiva of the eyes is also irritated by the allergens. The result is watery, itchy or burning eyes. Often the eyes are reddened or swell. Likewise, the skin of the affected person may react to the cat allergens. In this case, mild redness and swelling to very itchy skin rashes with large pustules form. Often the symptoms occur on the hands and arms, i.e. the areas that have come into contact with the cat. The symptoms appear differently in each person. They depend on how severe the allergy is. The length and intensity of contact with the cat also play a role.

Diagnosis and course

Cat allergy may be present from childhood, but may not be noticed until later in life. Without treatment, cat dander allergy worsens to life-threatening asthma attacks. This makes diagnosis and later treatment problematic, because many affected people do not see their own pets as the cause or do not want to give them up. All the more important for the diagnosis of the animal hair allergy is an exact observation of the symptoms and their time of occurrence. The allergist treating the patient must know when and where the allergic reactions are noticed, so those affected should keep an allergy diary. Only if there is sufficient suspicion of a cat allergy, these allergens can be considered in a prick test. To confirm the result of the skin test, a detailed blood test for antibodies is performed prior to treatment of cat allergy.

Complications

As a rule, a cat allergy does not lead to any particular complications or discomfort as long as contact with cats is avoided. Possibly, this can limit the daily life of the affected person. In the worst case, cat allergy causes asthma attacks or severe sneezing when in contact with cats. The affected person then continues to suffer from watery eyes and shortness of breath. In addition, the skin may turn red and there is a strong cough. In the further course, the cat allergy can also lead to various inflammations of the eye. In most cases, the diagnosis of cat allergy is made by the patient himself. In many cases, this allergy cannot be treated causally, so the affected person must avoid all contact with cats. In this case, there are no further complications or discomforts and the life expectancy of the patient is not reduced by this allergy. In some cases, the symptoms can be limited with the help of sprays and other allergy medications. Likewise, so-called desensitization can be performed if contact with cats is desired or cannot be avoided.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the affected person experiences sudden health complaints in the presence of a cat, a doctor should be consulted. To clarify the cause, tests are needed to prove an allergic reaction. In case of running nose, increased sneezing or sneezing attacks, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If there is a blocked nose, redness of the eyes, skin changes, itching of the face or coughing, these are indications of a cat allergy. If the voice is hoarse, breathing is disturbed or breathing is difficult, the affected person needs help. The mucous membranes swell and thus obstruct the windpipe. In severe cases, the affected person is threatened with anaphylactic shock. If acute respiratory distress develops or there is a loss of consciousness, an emergency physician must be alerted. Until the emergency physician arrives, first aid measures must be initiated and breathing must be ensured. For some affected persons, contact with people who keep cats in their private household is sufficient. Even the first contact with these people or physical proximity can lead to the triggering of symptoms. A doctor should be consulted in time to avoid a life-threatening situation. If open wounds appear due to the itching, sterile wound care should be initiated. If this cannot be ensured, a visit to the doctor is necessary, otherwise pathogens may enter the organism.

Treatment and therapy

The most important therapy of an animal hair and cat allergy consists in the avoidance of allergen contacts. For cat allergy sufferers, this usually means that they cannot keep cats and they must separate from their pets. The next step after separation must be thorough cleaning of all furniture and clothing. This difficult step is the only insurance against the severe, life-threatening course of the allergy. If allergy sufferers rarely meet the triggering animals or if the allergy is very weak, the doctor prescribes drug therapy against the symptoms of cat allergy. Antihistamines, adrenaline sprays and glucocorticoids relieve the acute allergy symptoms, which is why they are especially recommended before visiting cat owners. If skin irritation occurs, special anti-allergic skin care products can provide relief. Some patients report successful desensitization to cat dander allergy. However, attempting desensitization is associated with the risk of an increased allergic reaction.

Outlook and prognosis

The prognosis for cat allergy is unfavorable. Once a cat allergy has been diagnosed, it is usually a lifelong condition with an unchanged diagnosis. The symptoms remain constant over the lifespan or may even have an increasing character in severe cases. A spontaneous healing is not to be expected with a cat allergy. So far, the possibilities of conventional medicine, alternative or natural remedies only lead to a temporary and not a permanent recovery. The patient experiences freedom from symptoms by taking measures on his own responsibility. This includes avoiding the proximity to cats completely.It is also necessary to avoid environments where cats have been and contact with people who have been in contact with cats. Even the transfer of cat hair into the immediate environment of the affected person, can trigger allergic reactions. If medical treatment is used, a temporary relief of the symptoms can be achieved. Even with a long-term therapy or the regular intake of medication, no continuous relief of all occurring complaints is achieved. In the event of an unfavorable course of the disease, the affected person experiences anaphylactic shock. This represents a life-threatening situation and can be fatal without immediate intensive medical care. Likewise, there is a possibility that the organism will develop a chronic disease such as asthma.

Prevention

Since the causes of cat allergy are not sufficiently understood, the allergy cannot be prevented. However, some measures can be taken to prevent the development of symptoms. These include avoiding contact with the animal, thoroughly cleaning the apartment and taking antihistamines before visiting pet owners.

Aftercare

Allergies, like cat allergy, usually persist throughout life. Follow-up care aims to ensure that patients can cope with everyday life without problems and that complications do not occur. On the other hand, doctors cannot prevent a recurrence. Cat allergy is usually not cured and is permanent. Knowledge regarding triggers takes place during the initial diagnosis. The patient is told to avoid contact with cats. Certain pieces of furniture are also susceptible to animal hair and trigger the typical symptoms. They must be cleaned thoroughly. The patient is responsible for these preventive measures. Scheduled follow-up controls in the medical sense do not exist. In addition, medication for prevention and acute problems can provide relief. The attending physician can prescribe appropriate medication as part of a long-term treatment or for acute problems. This temporarily reduces the risks. The only exception to the persistence of cat allergy is the approach of hyposensitization. However, this therapy is extremely lengthy and its success is not always satisfactory. If this treatment was chosen, a final cure can be achieved. Patients then do not need follow-up care because they are free of symptoms. As is known, there is no longer a clinical picture.

This is what you can do yourself

Cat owners who suffer from a cat allergy do not necessarily have to give up their four-legged friend. Depending on the severity of the allergy, it is often already sufficient to pay increased attention to hygiene and cleanliness in the household. Cat hair and other residues should be removed regularly – daily vacuuming and weekly washing of pillow and bed covers is mandatory. Cat owners should also set up a retreat that the pet is not allowed to enter. Ideally, contact with the cat should be reduced somewhat to reduce allergic reactions. In the case of pronounced defensive reactions, it may still be necessary to take medical measures such as hyposensitization. A proven alternative from naturopathy is intestinal rehabilitation, in which the defenses of the intestinal flora are strengthened. Also a classical purification can weaken the allergy. A widespread procedure is also the autologous blood therapy, which improves the general allergy readiness in the body. Sometimes a cat allergy is also based on psychosomatic causes. Discussions with appropriate medical specialists help to identify and eliminate the triggers for the defensive reaction. In any case, appropriate measures should first be discussed with a doctor in order to avoid complications.