Allergies to Pets
When I was
born my parents had two cats, and at age four, I got a kitten of my own.
Many years later after two of the cats died, I got another kitten, and
after a few more years my old cat died. Then I adtoped two more adult
cats from the shelter, and now I'm back to three cats. The point is,
I've had cats my entire life. Now suddenly I find out I'm
allergic to cats according to an allergy blood test. Not only that but on
their scale of 0 to 6 I was a 4. The lady said 6 is highly uncommon so a
4 is fairly significant. My question is, what exactly is cat dander? Does
it come from the saliva or the fur? And would the ionic air filter from
Sharper Image reduce the dander, or is it something completely
unavoidable? How effective are allergy shots? I refuse to part with any
of my cats (or my dog for that matter, I was also told I'm allergic
to dogs (3), sheesh, they might as well tell a child they're allergic
to candy, toys, and amusement parks).
Allergies are reactions of the immune system to a foreign protein. Animals and humans can develop allergies to any foreign protein substance. Allergic reactions can occur to food eaten, objects in contact, injected medications or inhaled allergens. Most human allergies to pets result from contact or inhaled allergens.
Contact allergies occur when a pet's nails or fur touches the human skin. The immune response of the skin reacts causing hives or red bumps that itch. Inhallant allergies occur when the air picks up dander, or dead skin and hair, and this is breathed in by the person. The person's respiratory system reacts to the foreign protein invasion, causing red eyes, sneezing and runny nose.
Not everyone has allergies, and allergies are treated by human doctors in many ways. Anti allergy medications can be purchased over the counter, or stronger prescription anti allergy medications can be obtained from a doctor. These medications tell the body's immune system not to over react to foreign proteins. The immune system can also be trained by going through a series of allergy shots. These injections inundate the immune system with the allergen causing it to become used to the foreign protein.
Frequent bathing of pets definately helps reduce the stray hair and skin particles, and will help in any allergy. Some people are allergic to cat litter and not the cat, so changing the liltter may help.
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