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<h2 id="h-how-to-treat-cat-allergies">HOW TO TREAT CAT ALLERGIES</h2>
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<p>Avoiding the allergen is best, but when that's not possible, the following treatments may help:</p>
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<ul>
    <li><strong><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/antihistimines" target="_blank"
                rel="noreferrer noopener">antihistamines</a>,</strong> such as diphenhydramine (<a
            href="https://www.healthline.com/health/cdi/benadryl">Benadryl</a>), loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine
        (Zyrtec)</li>
    <li>corticosteroid nasal sprays such as <strong><a
                href="https://www.amazon.com/HealthA2Z-Fluticasone-Propionate-Compare-Ingredient/dp/B082DMRQRK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&amp;keywords=flonase&amp;qid=1604091096&amp;sr=8-4-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzREpXOVU1NjdJQlBEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDAwMzM5MzVFMVVRUTRDREhDOCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTUzODYwMlFaNVc1V002V0FMRSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=petloversnews-20&amp;linkId=1e9b0af4885bddc8493d857913ca2b0e&amp;language=en_US"
                target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fluticasone (Flonase)</a></strong> or <strong><a
                href="http://<iframe style=&quot;width:120px;height:240px;&quot; marginwidth=&quot;0&quot; marginheight=&quot;0&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot; frameborder=&quot;0&quot; src=&quot;//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ss&amp;ref=as_ss_li_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=petloversnews-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B076216K2V&amp;asins=B076216K2V&amp;linkId=33e5283ea8715b23396bb6947261e6ec&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&quot;></iframe>"
                target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mometasone (Nasonex)</a></strong></li>
    <li>over-the-counter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/decongestants" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>decongestant sprays</strong></a></li>
    <li><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/cromolyn" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>cromolyn sodium</strong>,</a> which prevents the release of immune system
        chemicals and may reduce symptoms</li>
    <li><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/allergy-shots"><strong>allergy
                shots</strong></a>&nbsp;known as immunotherapy (a series of shots that desensitize you to an allergen)
    </li>
    <li>leukotriene inhibitors, such as montelukast (Singulair)</li>
</ul>
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<p>Due to&nbsp;<a
        href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requires-boxed-warning-about-serious-mental-health-side-effects-asthma-and-allergy-drug"
        target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>the risk of severe mental health side effects Trusted
            Source</strong></a>, montelukast should only be used when other allergy treatments aren't available.</p>
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<p><strong>Buy <a href="https://amzn.to/2qM5MZH">Benadryl</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2F1I2pk" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener">Claritin</a>,</strong> or<strong> <a
            href="https://www.amazon.com/HealthA2Z-Fluticasone-Propionate-Compare-Ingredient/dp/B082DMRQRK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=D0KCHA8Q1L79&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=flonase&amp;qid=1604097043&amp;sprefix=Flonase,undefined,251&amp;sr=8-4-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQTA3VzRVU0VBNUNYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjg1MzYyMkxIQTQ4Uk9JTUE1NCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUExMDMwMDY2TTU2NlVYRjFQRFlMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=petloversnews-20&amp;linkId=c4ab684b2c632e71f63845f79236c376&amp;language=en_US"
            target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flonase</a></strong> now.</p>
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<h3 id="h-home-remedies"><strong>Home remedies</strong></h3>
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<p>Nasal lavage is a home remedy for symptoms of cat allergies. Salt water (saline) is used to rinse your nasal
    passages, reducing congestion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/postnasal-drip" target="_blank"
        rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>postnasal drip</strong>, </a>and&nbsp;<strong><a
            href="https://www.healthline.com/symptom/sneezing" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener">sneezing</a>.</strong> Several&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2vtvLur"
        target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>over-the-counter brands</strong>&nbsp;</a>are available. You
    can make salt water at home by combining 1/8 teaspoon of table salt with 8 ounces of distilled water.</p>
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<p>According to<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/allergies">National Institutes of
            Health Trusted Source</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/butterbur-treatment"
            target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">butterbur</a></strong>&nbsp;(an herbal supplement), acupuncture,
    and probiotics may improve the symptoms of seasonal allergies. However, research is limited. It’s not clear how
    effective these products would be specifically for pet allergies. Herbal remedies that show potential benefits are
    those that share a similar action in the body compared to traditional medications.</p>
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<h3 id="h-best-air-purifiers-for-cat-allergies"><strong>Best air purifiers for cat allergies</strong></h3>
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<p>High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are one of the best defenses against cat allergies. They reduce
    airborne pet allergens by forcing air through a special filter that traps pet dander, as well as&nbsp;<a
        href="https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/pollen" target="_blank"
        rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>pollen</strong>, </a>dust mites, and other allergens.</p>
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<p><a href="https://amzn.to/2HwJrtk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Shop for HEPA air
            filters</strong>.</a></p>
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<h3 id="h-cat-allergies-in-infants"><strong>Cat allergies in infants</strong></h3>
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<p>There is ongoing debate among scientists whether infants who are exposed to animals at a very young age are destined
    to develop allergies, or if the opposite is true. Recent studies have come to conflicting conclusions. A
    2015<strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://doi.org/10.1111/pai.12369" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a></strong>&nbsp;found that exposing infants to cats and dogs at home is
    associated with a higher risk of developing allergies during the first four years of the child’s life.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, a 2011<strong>&nbsp;<a href="http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03747.x" target="_blank"
            rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a></strong>&nbsp;found that babies who live with cats, especially during
    the first year of life, develop antibodies to the pet and were less likely to acquire an allergy later.</p>
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<p>A 2017&nbsp;<a href="http://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-017-0254-x" target="_blank"
        rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>study</strong>&nbsp;</a>found that cats and dogs may provide a benefit by
    exposing babies to certain healthy bacteria early in life. The study concluded that babies exposed to a cat or dog
    in the home during pregnancy may have fewer problems with allergies in the future than babies who weren’t exposed.
</p>
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<p>Your doctor will be able to answer questions you may have about your baby and your cat. For children who are
    allergic, removing fabric toys and stuffed animals and replacing them with plastic or washable ones may help relieve
    symptoms.</p>
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<h3 id="h-reducing-cat-dog-allergies"><strong>Reducing Cat &amp; Dog Allergies</strong></h3>
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<p>Avoidance is best to prevent the allergies in the first place. But if you discover you’re allergic to your cat, there
    are other options than getting rid of your pet. Consider these strategies for reducing your symptoms.</p>
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<ul>
    <li>Keep the cat out of your bedroom.</li>
    <li>Wash your hands after touching the cat.</li>
    <li>Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstered furniture. Wood or tiled flooring and clean walls help reduce
        allergens.</li>
    <li>Select throw rugs or furniture covers that can be washed in hot water, and wash them frequently.</li>
    <li>Cover heating and air-conditioning vents with a dense filtering material such as cheesecloth.</li>
    <li>Install an air cleaner.</li>
    <li>Change the filters on air conditioning units and furnaces frequently.</li>
    <li>Keep the humidity level in your home at around 40 percent.</li>
    <li>Vacuum weekly with a&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2HLVMYl">HEPA filter vacuum</a>.</li>
    <li>Use a face mask while dusting or cleaning.</li>
    <li>Recruit a nonallergic person to regularly dust the home and clean the litter box.</li>
</ul>
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<h3 id="h-when-to-see-a-doctor"><strong>When to see a doctor</strong></h3>
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<p>Some signs and symptoms of pet allergy, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are similar to those of the common cold.
    Sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a cold or an allergy. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks,
    you might have an allergy.</p>
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<p>If your signs and symptoms are severe — with nasal passages feeling completely blocked and difficulty sleeping or
    wheezing — call your doctor. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath rapidly worsens or if you are
    short of breath with minimal activity. If you have a severe cat allergy, Talk to your Doctor!!!!</p>
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<h3 id="h-what-if-i-want-to-keep-my-pet">What If I Want to Keep My Pet?</h3>
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<p>Removing the pet from the home is often the best treatment. However, if you still want to keep your pet, there may be
    some strategies to reduce exposure.</p>
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<ul>
    <li>Remove your pet from the bedroom. You spend from one-third to one-half of your time there. Keep the bedroom door
        closed and clean the bedroom aggressively. You might consider using a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom.</li>
    <li>Animal allergens are sticky. So, you must remove the animal's favorite furniture, remove wall-to-wall carpet and
        scrub the walls and woodwork. Keep surfaces throughout the home clean and uncluttered. Bare floors and walls are
        best.</li>
    <li>If you must have carpet, select one with a low pile and steam clean it frequently. Better yet, use throw rugs
        and wash them in hot water.</li>
    <li>Wear a dust mask to vacuum. Vacuum cleaners stir up allergens that have settled on carpet and make allergies
        worse. Use a&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.aafa.org/certified" target="_blank"
                rel="noreferrer noopener">vacuum with a CERTIFIED&nbsp;asthma &amp; allergy
                friendly®&nbsp;filter</a></strong>&nbsp;if possible.</li>
    <li>Change your clothes after prolonged exposure with an animal.</li>
    <li>Forced-air heating and air-conditioning can spread allergens through the house. Cover bedroom vents with dense
        filtering material like cheesecloth.</li>
    <li>Adding an air cleaner combined with a&nbsp;<strong><a
                href="https://www.aafa.org/certified">CERTIFIED&nbsp;asthma &amp; allergy friendly®&nbsp;filter to
                central heating and air conditioning</a>&nbsp;</strong>can help remove pet allergens from the air. Use
        an air cleaner at least four hours per day. Another type of air cleaner that has an electrostatic filter will
        remove particles the size of animal allergens from the air. No air cleaner or filter will remove allergens stuck
        to surfaces, though.</li>
    <li>Washing the pet every week may reduce airborne allergens, but is of questionable value in reducing a person's
        symptoms.</li>
    <li>Have someone without a pet allergy brush the pet outside to remove dander as well as clean the litter box or
        cage.</li>
</ul>
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<p>Medically reviewed by <a href="https://www.healthline.com/medical-team">Judith Marcin, MD</a> on August 21, 2017 —
    Written by Michael Kerr and Rena Goldman &amp; AAFA (Asthma And Allergy Foundation of America</p>
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