How To Build Immunity To Cat Allergies
Allergies are an immune response to a foreign substance. The reactions vary depending on the type of allergen, but they can range from mild sniffles to life-threatening reactions. Cat allergies are common and often cause sinus congestion and sneezing when petting your feline friend or living with him in your home. You may also experience eye irritation, skin rash or hives if you’re allergic to cats.
Take antihistamines.
- Antihistamines are a class of drugs that block the effects of histamine, an important chemical in the allergic response. Some antihistamines can be purchased over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. These medications may help you cope with allergies to cats by blocking the action of histamine and reducing symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose. They may also ease hives caused by contact with your cat or its saliva.
- Choose an OTC antihistamine if you have mild allergies to cats or if you experience symptoms occasionally when around them (for example, on holidays when your family brings their pet). If you’re allergic to cats but only react when they’re licking you or sitting on your lap for extended periods of time, then an OTC med could probably treat those symptoms too without causing any side effects.
- However, taking this type of medication isn’t recommended for people who suffer from severe symptoms like wheezing due to cat dander exposure because it can lead to asthma attacks or even death if used incorrectly (for example, treating both seasonal allergies and asthma at once).
Get immunotherapy shots.
If your allergies are severe and you’ve done everything listed above, immunotherapy shots are a good option for you. The shots involve a series of injections given by a doctor in his or her office. They’re not painful and don’t cost much money—but they’re not a long-term solution, either.
While the shots can help control symptoms and reduce exposure to allergens, they won’t get rid of them entirely. In addition, they may cause side effects like headaches or fatigue while you’re getting them.
Despite these drawbacks, immunotherapy is an effective treatment for people who don’t want to give up their cat but still want relief from their allergies.
Use a nasal spray.
A nasal spray containing a corticosteroid can help reduce nasal inflammation and swelling. Find one that’s labeled as “for allergic rhinitis” (hay fever).
It’s important to use it regularly, even if you don’t feel like your allergies are bothering you. Use the spray at least twice a day for the first week, then once or twice daily after that. You may need to continue using the nasal spray for up to 2 weeks after symptoms improve, but most people find relief within 2 days of starting treatment.
If you’re allergic to the medicine in this type of medication, your doctor will likely prescribe an alternative treatment instead.
Try a steroid cream.
Steroid creams are effective at reducing inflammation, but they can be difficult to obtain. They’re available over-the-counter in most countries, but the strength of the steroid depends on the country you live in. Some countries have a limit on how much cortisone can be contained in one tube, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right amount for your condition.
Side effects from using steroid cream include thinning skin and stretch marks, acne breakouts and skin discoloration (yellowing), as well as muscle weakness or fatigue due to reduced blood flow. These side effects may not be bad enough for you to stop using it immediately—but if you experience any discomfort while applying this medication then stop immediately! Steroid creams should only be used for short periods of time because they can cause serious allergic reactions once discontinued; this means that if used regularly then some form of treatment will probably need to continue after stopping treatment with steroids.*
- Source: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/cat-allergies
Use a decongestant.
Decongestants work by reducing the swelling of the nasal passages, which makes it easier to breathe. They are not recommended for long-term use and can be bought over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor.
Apply a warm compress.
A hot compress can help reduce inflammation and swelling, which in turn may help you breathe easier. To apply a hot compress:
- Soak a washcloth or towel in boiling water, then wring out the excess water.
- Place the damp cloth over your face and eyes at least 15 minutes twice daily while sitting up or lying down (do not keep your head back). Do not use on broken skin or if you have any other health problems. If it’s too hot, gently remove it—you want to feel warmth but not pain.
- Apply ice packs to your eyes after taking off the compresses for 10 minutes every few hours; tilt your head forward so that gravity can drain water out of the eye sockets.
Rinse your nose with saline solution.
Rinse your nose with saline solution. Saline nasal rinses help clean out allergens and irritants, reducing the symptoms of allergies. You can buy over-the-counter rinse kits that contain saline solution and a neti pot (a small teapot-like container used to deliver the solution), or you can make your own by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water.
- How often? Use this rinse once in the morning and once at night before bed for 2 weeks. If it helps your symptoms, continue using it until they go away for good—most people will only need a few months’ worth of rinsing before their symptoms subside completely.
- What to expect: After rinsing your nose, you may notice some mucus or residue left behind; don’t worry—this is normal! You should also expect some mild discomfort during the first few times you try this method; as with any new activity, it takes some time for your body to adjust its response to what’s happening inside its various systems (in this case, your immune system). But overall, most people find that using saline solutions helps clear up their cat allergies faster than other methods alone would have done so on their own.”
Though there is no cure for cat allergies, there are many ways to control and manage your symptoms.
While there is no cure for cat allergies, you can manage your symptoms by taking steps to reduce them.
- Get shots: If you’re allergic to cats and want to be around them, the first step is getting immunotherapy shots. These are injections that contain small amounts of allergenic proteins from cats and other animals. These shots will help desensitize your body over time, so that it becomes less sensitive to the allergens and less likely to react in an allergic way when exposed.
- Use nasal sprays: Another option is nasal spray medications like Flonase (fluticasone propionate), Nasacort Allergy 24HR (mometasone furoate), or Rhinocort Aqua (budesonide). They work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages so that they don’t react as strongly when exposed to allergens such as those from cats’ saliva or dander (tiny bits of skin shed from their bodies). The most common side effects are nosebleeds and headaches; if these occur try taking breaks between uses until they go away.
- Try steroid creams: Topical steroids such as Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Cream or Desoximetasone Cream might also help alleviate symptoms such as itching, swelling, sneezing and watery eyes associated with cat allergies – though again not all people respond well enough due how strong topical steroids can be at reducing inflammation levels on their own without any other support treatments being used alongside it
While there is no cure for cat allergies, there are many ways to manage and control them. In this article we discussed some of the most effective treatments available, including immunotherapy shots and medication. If you’re still struggling with your symptoms after trying several different options or if you want some additional advice about which treatment would work best for your situation, please contact a doctor or allergist who specializes in treating patients with cat allergies.
