What is Allergy To Cats?

Allergy to cats can either pose a minor inconvenience or major risk to human health. It is often characterised by breathing difficulties and irritations to the respiratory pathway. Since cats are common household pets, people often come in contact with cat allergens that can be easily found in their saliva and urine. However, cat allergens are quite ubiquitous, so even people who do not have cats at home can still have cat allergen in their house. Cat allergens are very small and can be carried on clothes, circulated in the air, settled in furniture and bedding, and stays behind in the environment carried on dust particles. Our bodies mistake harmless things, like cat dander, for foreign components, and attack them. The symptoms of an allergy are the body's response towards the allergen. They can range from mild to severe, depending on an individual's sensitivity and the level of exposure to allergens. Those variables may also influence how quickly symptoms develop after exposure, which may occur within minutes or hours upon contact. Highly sensitive people can develop symptoms, including breathing problems or a rash, within minutes of touching a cat or entering a house with a cat. People with asthma are more prone to developing allergy flare-ups and attacks. Some people may also develop a rash or hives after being scratched by a cat.

How It Affects Your Body

An allergy is how the body reacts when coming into contact with foreign substances such as cat allergens. The common symptom observed is typically swelling around the infected area, causing inflammation.

Signs and Symptoms