How Do Allergy Shots Work
Allergy shots, or allergy immunotherapy, is basically like a vaccine. A vaccine contains a small dose of virus and exposes to your body so that your body gets used to it. Similarly, allergy shots contain a small dose of the thing youre allergic to so that your body doesnt freak out and starts to consider it a friend, not a foe, upon exposure.
The difference between a regular vaccine and allergy shots is that you have to gradually increase the dose of the allergy shots for your body to start building immunity around it. This is so that when youre constantly exposed to it in high doses like at home around your cats if you have cat allergies, your body doesnt react to the cat dander.
Vacuum And Dust Regularly
Vacuuming and dusting will help keep cat dander in your living space to a minimum and they dont have to be time-consuming chores! Try dusting methods that trap particles and use a HEPA filter on your vacuum cleaner and replace it appropriately. Otherwise, cleaning can kick up cat dander into the air and make your allergies worse.
Choose The Right Furniture
Big news:
You are possibly sitting on a hotbed of allergens while reading this post!
Let me explain:
Fabric sofas or armchairs trap a lot of allergens.
To top it off they are difficult to thoroughly clean.
So what can you do about it?
Well, keep kitty off the furniture
Sounds easy enough, right?
But if that doesnt work:
Cover upholstered chairs with towels and sheets so you can wash them on a regular basis.
Or even better, go for leather and vinyl as upholstery choice.
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See Your Doctor For Cat Allergy Treatments
If other practices dont help your cat allergy symptoms, go and see your doctor. There are prescription options for people that suffer from severe cat allergies. First, there may be prescription antihistamines that can be more effective than over-the-counter antihistamines. Second, a doctor may suggest immunotherapy, a series of shots designed to lessen allergy symptoms by reducing your sensitivity to a particular allergen. Though expensive and time-consuming, allergy immunotherapy can be incredibly effective. Expect two to five years for the entire process, with multiple doctor visits per month. This is a process really meant for the most severe of allergy sufferers, not someone who just gets the sniffles.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Pet Allergy
Cat and dog allergens can land on the membranes that line the eyes and nose. Reactions include swelling and itching of the membranes, stuffy nose and inflamed eyes. A pet scratch or lick can cause the skin area to become red. It is common to get itchy eyes after petting an animal then touching your eyes.
If allergen levels are low or sensitivity is minor, symptoms may not appear until after several days of contact with the pet.
Many airborne particles are small enough to get into the lungs. For some, this exposure can cause severe breathing problems. Highly sensitive people can begin coughing, wheezing and have shortness of breath within 15 to 30 minutes of inhaling allergens. Sometimes highly sensitive people also get an intense rash on the face, neck and upper chest.
Contact with a cat can trigger a severe asthma episode in up to three in ten people with asthma. Cat allergies also can lead to chronic asthma.
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How To Get Rid Of Cat Allergies: 10 Ways To Beat Cat Allergies
Are you allergic to cats but want one? Cat Allergies are the most common kind of allergies and almost half of the American population tests positive for this allergy according to NIAID. It is one of the annoying types of allergies if you are a cat lover. When you are playing with your feline companion, you should get tears of joy instead cat allergies make you cry, sneeze, itchy, rashes and runny nose. Cat allergies include severe coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, asthma and breathing problems. If you are searching for a solution to your cat allergies, dont worry we are here to help you.
Here are the tips about How to get rid of Cat Allergies:
Rid Your Home Of Other Allergens
If you’re considering bringing a new pet into your home, first rid your home of as many other allergens as possible such as mites, dust, and mold. Most airborne allergens cling to soft material such as curtains and drapes, upholstery, and floor coverings. Here are common ways to clear your home of allergens:
- Substitute blinds for window coverings. If you rent, and can’t get permission to switch them, keep the curtains washed and frequently vacuum the drapes.
- If possible, replace overstuffed upholstered furniture with leather.
- Eliminate decorative scented candles, potpourri, and plug-in air fresheners, all of which can exacerbate allergy symptoms.
- Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with wood or tile floors. Otherwise, thoroughly vacuum carpeting regularly.
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Are Allergy Shots Safe Are There Any Risks
For the most part, allergy shots are safe. But because youre exposing your body to that very thing your body is allergic to, you could react to it. Surprise, surprise! Youre required to stay at the doctors office for half an hour after the shot each time to make sure you dont react.
In the area you got the shot, youll see redness and swelling.
There is a rare life-threatening risk of anaphylaxis, which is low blood pressure and trouble breathing. It usually shows up within 30 minutes of the allergy shots but sometimes could take longer for the symptoms.
If Youre Allergic To Cats But Want One Discover How You Can Be Allergic To Some Cats And Not Others If Cat Allergies Go Away With Exposure And How To Have A Cat When Youre Allergic
Being allergic to cats is quite common among humans, with many people suffering symptoms such as sneezing, itchy skin, watering eyes, coughing and wheezing whenever a cat is nearby.
Sadly this can prevent caring cat lovers from owning a cat of their own, or even worse, result in them having to give up a beloved pet to charities such as Cats Protection.
If you do own a cat when youre allergic, it can still affect your ability to form a close bond with your pet, as you try to maintain a safe distance to keep the sneezing at bay.
However, a cat allergy doesnt necessarily mean you cant get a cat. Theres a lot of confusion around the exact cause of the symptoms and how to reduce their effects, but once you know the facts, there are lots of things you can try.
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What Is Contact Allergy And How Is It Treated
Contact allergies are the least common of the four types of allergies in cats.
“They result in a local reaction on the skin from contact with an allergic substance.”
They result in a local reaction on the skin from contact with an allergic substance. Examples of contact allergy include reactions to shampoos, flea collars, or certain types of bedding, such as wool. If the cat is allergic to such substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact. Removal of the contact irritant solves the problem. However, identifying the allergen can be challenging in many cases.
Living With Cat Allergies: Cleaning
Once you have a cat, diligence around the house is one of the keys to limiting allergies.
- Wipe down smooth surfaces in the home regularly. Microscopic dander can stick to any type of surface and is there even if you don’t see it.
- Use a vacuum with a filter and steam clean carpets often. Restricting the cat’s access to carpeted rooms will also help.
- Frequently wash any bedding or blankets that your cat sleeps on.
- Designate specific rooms, like the allergic person’s bedroom, as cat-free zones.
- Consider replacing upholstered furniture. Cloth-covered chairs and sofas can retain a lot of allergens and be difficult to clean. Either keep the cat off of upholstery or consider investing in wood, plastic or leather furniture that is easy to wipe clean.
- Take down your curtains. Like upholstered furniture, curtains can be a magnet for cat hair. Consider replacing them with blinds or other coverings that are easy to clean. If you decide to keep your curtains, launder them regularly.
- Invest in a HEPA filter. These can be attached to your furnace or air conditioner, or purify the air from a freestanding unit. Whatever model you get, their job is to reduce small particles in the air.
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Green Cleaning Products For Removing Allergens
Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a basic, in-your-pantry, cheap, green cleaning solution. Either full strength or mixed with water, vinegar can help clean laundry, can be used to wipe down glass, clean venetian blinds, and so much more. For only a few dollars a gallon, vinegar is one of the cheapest, easiest, and safest cleaning products you can invest in. Always have some on hand.
Baking soda. Baking soda is a cheap, green, safe cleaning product that can also get rid of pet odors. Sprinkle it over kitty litter to get rid of cat urine odors, mix it with water and brush your teeth with it to get rid of tooth stains, or clean any general household mess. Pop open a container to leave in the fridge, by the kitty litter, or near the garbage. Or just leave some in the pantry for future cleaning use. You can never have too much baking soda around.
Seventh Generation brand.Safe to use around kids and pets, these non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and environmentally sensitive products are great for cleaning around the home. Seventh Generation products include everything from feminine hygiene products to household cleaners. Find products to clean glass, stone, tile, laundry, and more. Relatively inexpensive, Seventh Generation cleaners can be found in most grocery stores and .
How To Get Rid Of Cat Allergies In House
Lets be clear upfront. Avoidance is the best treatment but its not the only solution. There are many ways you can deal with cat allergies or at least curb down on the symptoms. Some methods are on the controversial side so skip the one youre not comfortable with. Remember, ignorance is not an option and you should never wait it out and hope for the best.
- Coughing/ Wheezing
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Ok So I Made The Mistake Of Putting A Money Tree In My Veileds Enclosure
However, unlike the money tree, the jade plant is actually toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, stomach irritation and difficulty to swallow. The only problem is buying the jade tree by mistake, which is poisonous if your cat eats the leaves. The pachira insignis, or money tree plant, is hardy and easy to grow, even if your thumb is not as green as youd like. It is not recommended for planting in areas where cats live because it contains cyanide, a poison that can harm cats if ingested. Some believe that money trees remove toxins from the air while others think there isnt enough research to support those statements. Many people are allergic to oak pollen, and because the trees are common in residential areas and parks, there can be a ton of it floating through the air.
Money trees are toxic to cats. So before you go out and buy a money tree, do a little digging to get reference pictures of the safe money tree and the more dangerous jade plant. It can be a little harmful though if your cat ingests the leaves. It is not recommended for planting in areas where cats live because it contains cyanide, a poison that can harm cats if ingested. The pachira insignis, or money tree plant, is hardy and easy to grow, even if your thumb is not as green as youd like.
How Cat Allergies Develop
If you do suffer from cat allergies, you’re far from alone. In fact, people are twice as likely to be allergic to cats than they are to dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But how do people develop cat allergies in the first place?
Your immune system works every day to find and destroy foreign substances . Some people’s immune systems are more sensitive than others. The immune systems of cat allergy sufferers react to what are essentially harmless microscopic proteins that have been released by your cat in her dander , saliva and urine.
Many people believe pet hair is to blame, but pet hair alone is not an allergen. Hair can, however, collect pet dander and allow it to be distributed willy-nilly throughout your house when your cat sheds. It can collect on furniture, bedding and carpets, and can even last a long time simply suspended in the air.
Some people are lucky enough that they eventually develop an immunity to cat allergies. While this is certainly possible, allergic reactions may also worsen with more exposure. It’s also possible that someone who has never suffered an allergy to cats before can develop one. If you suddenly find yourself sneezing, wheezing or sniffling when you are around your cat, you might want to ask your doctor to test you for an allergy.
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Current Cat Allergy Treatments
If avoiding cats isnt possible, or you just really, really want a cat despite an allergy, Blaiss recommends at a minimum to never allow the cat inside your bedroom, where you spend about eight hours a day.
Products such as antihistamines, nasal steroids and asthma medications can provide some relief. But medications treat symptoms, not the cat allergy itself. To do that, you need immunotherapy, which is given as shots in an allergists office.
Immunotherapy retrains the immune system to tolerate more cat protein without reacting. Typically, patients go to an allergists office for weekly injections with small amounts of cat protein during a buildup phase that lasts for several months. Thats followed by monthly maintenance injections for three to five years.
Research shows that cat immunotherapy can reduce symptoms in many people, and that the results last. But some people react to the injections, while others quit because of the inconvenience of as many as 80 injections in all.
A lot of people quit before three years. There really is a need to get the duration of it down, says Dr. Harold Nelson, an allergist at National Jewish Health in Denver.
How Many Allergy Shots Do You Need To Get
Typically, youd get small doses of the allergen, with gradually increasing doses every 2 to 4 weeks for 12 months. Then once your body is well-equipped to take on the cat dander without reaction, you will get a dose of the allergy shot ever 3 to 5 years thereafter to do a similar treatment all over again.
As you can see, its quite a commitment. When the doses start increasing, you need to get several shots at one visit. So if you hate needles, this definitely aint for you. You might be looking at around 100 shots in total throughout your immunotherapy journey. Most people purportedly stop going because its so time-consuming.
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Causes Of Allergies In Cats
There are many things that cats can be allergic to and most are readily found in and around our homes. In some situations, this can make it difficult to eliminate the cause of a cat’s allergies.
- Pollens: Tree, dust, grass, weed, mold, and mildew pollens can all cause allergies in cats. These environmental allergens are difficult to control.
- Food: Food allergies are the third most common type of allergies in cats. There are many types of food that a cat can be allergic to but animal proteins such as chicken, beef, dairy, fish, and eggs are the most common culprits.
- Fleas: A common cause of allergy in cats, flea bites cause cats to have irritating allergic reactions including hair loss, redness, and itching. Even indoor only cats can have fleas.
- Medications: Cats can be allergic to flea medication, shampoos, and other medications.
- Cleaning products: Detergents, floor cleaners, and disinfecting sprays can all cause allergies in cats.
- Perfume: Strong perfumes and colognes can be irritating in their own right but some cats actually have allergies to them. Inhaled allergens are common causes of allergies in cats.
- Smoke: Just like other inhalants, some cats are allergic to cigarette and other types of smoke.
- Various surfaces: Fabrics, rubbers, and plastics are all types of surfaces that a cat can be allergic to. Some beds, food dishes, and floor mats may be problems for cats that have allergies to these specific surfaces.