The Doctor is In

I distinctly remember my personal experience with cat allergies when I was 6 years old and my parents took me over to a friend’s house who had a very cute tabby kitten. Within 15 minutes I was sneezing my head off, felt like I wanted to scratch my eyes out and then developed a large swollen bottom lip. I have since avoided any exposure to cats as much as possible and was even a little reluctant to go see the musical “Cats” when it first came out!

Cat allergy symptoms 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, as some highly sensitive people can develop breathing problems or rashes within minutes of touching a cat or entering a house with a cat.

Cat allergies are common, and contrary to popular belief, it is not the fur or hair that causes the reaction. The allergens are proteins found in the cat’s saliva, urine and dander, which are dried flakes of skin that are very small particles and can remain airborne for at least 30 minutes after disturbing it in a room. This is why the cat does not even have to be in the room with you for you to have this reaction.

If you are not sure that you are allergic to cats, it’s always best to get tested. This can be done either with a skin prick test where a small amount of cat allergen is put under the skin to see a reaction or a blood test. It is a good idea to test, as sometimes the results are surprising, and what you think is a cat allergy is actually an allergy to grass or weeds that the cat rolls around in. (In case you are also wondering, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic cat.)

The treatment for cat allergies includes antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, both of which are relatively safe, and most are over the counter. The older generation of pills like Benadryl can cause sedation, and the newer ones like Claritin, Zyrtec or Allegra are less sedating. These pills are safe to use on a regular basis, but common side effects include headache, sore throat and nausea.

It is best to avoid taking the combination of antihistamine with a decongestant like Clarin-D or Zyrtec-D as long-term use can cause high blood pressure, anxiety and insomnia. Nasal sprays like Azelastine (an antihistamine spray) and Flonase (a nasal steroid) can also be helpful. Using a HEPA filter in the house can also help reduce exposure to the allergens.

Another option if you want to continue dating the cat person would be to see an allergist to see if you are a good candidate for allergy shots. This process, called immunotherapy, is an effective treatment of cat allergies by building a tolerance over time through gradually injecting increasing doses of the allergen and may take five to six months. Then, it may be possible to try taking the cat out of the bag.

Have a question you want to see answered by Dr. Raskin in a future edition of the Post? Send it to mypost@palipost.com for consideration.