Cat-Choo! Practical advice for those with cat allergies
So you're allergic to cats? Me, too. Fortunately, there's a lot we can do to reduce the irritation.
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What causes the allergic reaction is a protein secreted by the cat's pores and tongue. The protein occurs in dander, those white flakes that appear in the cat's coat. They may look like dandruff, but they are not. Cat dander is the natural by-product of healthy skin sloughing off dry, dead surface cells.
The departing dander gets hung up in the cat's coat along with old hair that's been shed. Brush or comb the cat once a week, more often in shedding season, and you will significantly reduce the cargo of allergens that kitty is carrying.
In addition, once a week, wipe the surface of the cat's coat with a clean washcloth wrung out in warm water. That removes protein deposited when the cat grooms herself with her tongue.
Doing those two things - not necessarily at the same time - is enough to capture most of the protein at the source. It is a rare cat that doesn't learn to love being gently groomed and wiped. It's reminiscent of the mother cat's lovingly caring for her kits.
I recently watched a local man grab a paper towel when one of his cats came in sopping wet. The cat got her anti-allergy wipedown as she enjoyed the luxury of being toweled dry.
If your eyes start to itch while you are grooming a cat, don't rub them. Stop grooming, wash your hands and splash water on your face. You've reached your limit of exposure to the allergen. Try grooming in stages, not all at once.
All of us need to head for the sink when we finish pet grooming. The objective is to wash off dander that has been stirred up and settled on our hands and face.
The dander is only briefly airborne. With gravity's help, it settles down. You'll find the mother lode of it on your cat's favorite places to groom and sleep. Dander is hard to see, but it keeps company with easy-to-find cat hair.
Vacuum each of the cat's favorite resting spots thoroughly. Then top each one with a folded blanket or a mat. Shake out the protective covering a couple of times a week and throw it into the washer at week's end. Fleece throws are great dander-grabbers and dry with just a short spin.
Once a week, vacuum or mop all the floors to collect any dander and cat hair that has landed on them. Wipe off or vacuum shelves and window sills used as kitty seats. Using the vacuum cleaner attachments, go over upholstered furniture. That routine, which doesn't have to be completed all at once, will collect random fallout.
People who are allergic to cats often have other allergies. Those frequently include sensitivity to dogs, house dust, mold and pollen. The total amount of exposure to the full spectrum of irritants sets off the allergic reaction. Many of us have seasonal allergies, peaking in the spring when tree pollen fills the air and in late summer when wild plants and grasses are doing their thing. At those times, I get a lot of relief by frequently washing my hands and face and by using a saline nasal spray.
Both over-the-counter products and prescription drugs help many people. There are doctors and other health-care professionals willing to help you find appropriate answers short of, "Get rid of the cat."
For lots of good information about allergies and how to reduce your allergic reaction, search the Internet under "Allergic to Cats."
And just for the record, there's been a lot of hype about development of supposedly hypoallergenic cats. Their cost is astronomical and the cats are not completely allergen free.
It isn't true that shorthairs are less irritating than longhairs or that the hairless breeds won't make you sneeze. All cats have skin and shed dander.
It is true that tomcats, males who have not been neutered, trigger more severe allergic reactions. That is because testosterone stimulates production and of the allergy-causing protein.
But that's easy to fix. No pun intended.
• Linda Daniel has spent her life in the company of cats, most of whom simply showed up at her door. She's a believer in spaying and neutering to reduce the number of homeless cats. She can be reached at lindadaniel@gci.net.