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What Can You Catch From Your Cat?
Humans have successfully lived with cats for thousands of years.
Overall, cats are extremely safe pets to own, and they rarely transmit
diseases to humans. You are much more likely to contract a disease from
your friends and family members than you are from a cat. Diseases that
can pass from animals to humans are called zoonoses. There certainly are
diseases cats can transmit to humans such as giardia, rabies and
ringworm.
It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the human
population may be allergic to pets. Humans who are allergic to cats can
experience a range of signs, from sniffling and sneezing to life
threatening asthma. Many
cat owners know they are allergic to their pet, but they believe the
benefits of cat ownership far outweigh the discomfort of the allergy. An
allergy is a reaction to a substance that is not inherently harmful. In
an allergic reaction, this means the immune system makes antibodies and
triggers histamine release. This combination produces an inflammatory
reaction.
How do you know it’s the cat?
If you experience watery eyes, sneezing, sore throat or congestion every
time you are around a cat, chances are you are allergic to cats.
However, if you have cats and are having an allergic reaction whenever
you’re home, it doesn’t necessarily mean the cat is the culprit. You may
be allergic to dust or mold or the houseplant on your windowsill. Some
allergists assume that if you have a cat and are experiencing allergic
symptoms, you must be allergic to the cat. But the only way to know for
sure is with allergy testing. Some people’s allergies worsen over time.
Others are only sensitive when exposed to a large dose of an allergen
For example, you might be able to tolerate living with one cat but have
a terrible time when you go over to a friend’s home where there are four
cats. Unfortunately, there are no cures for allergies. Avoiding the
allergen
is the best way to prevent problems. However, allergies to things like
dust and trees and grass which can never be removed from your
environment can usually be easily managed. Allergies to cats can often
be
managed as well.
There are some ways to make life easier for an allergic
person. If you are allergic, you should:
• Wash your hands every time you touch a cat. If you touch your face
before you wash, you’re asking for trouble.
• Change clothes after playing with a cat, or have a robe or smock that
you wear when you’re interacting with a cat.
• Consider wearing a face mask and protective glasses when playing with
your cat.
• Avoid touching cats in the areas where they have the most oil glands,
such as the chin, cheeks, between the shoulder blades and the base of
the tail.
• Never allow cats in your bedroom.There is nothing worse for an
allergic person than to place their face into a pillow full of dander.
• Consider using a HEPA filter unit or air purifier to knock allergens
out of the air.There are also special vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters.
• Wipe the cat down with a damp rag or use a commercial anti allergy pet
solution daily or weekly, so that loose allergens are removed.
• Have the cat professionally groomed and well brushed out
regularly.This will limit allergens on top of shedding hairs.
• If possible, have just one cat. More cats mean more allergens.
• Carpet, decorative pillows and draperies can trap allergens, so
consider replacing them with tile, washable materials, and blinds or
shutters.
People can work with their allergists to find
treatments that help relieve the symptoms of cat allergies. Allergy
shots and antihistamines are commonly used. There are several
antihistamines that can be taken
regularly without side effects or drowsiness. Research is being
conducted today that is looking at other ways the production of
antibodies and release of histamine can be stopped in allergic
individuals. In the future,
there may be better options for controlling allergies to cats.
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What Can You Catch From Your Cat?
Humans have successfully lived with cats for thousands of years. Overall, cats are extremely safe pets to own, and they rarely transmit diseases to humans ......