Allergic to cat hair but want to raise a cat, what to do?

Cats are one of the most beloved pets in the world. With their independent, cute personalities and excellent hunting abilities, cats have captured the hearts of many people. However, for those who are allergic to cat hair, deciding to raise a cat is not easy. Cat hair allergy is a fairly common health problem and can cause many unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing or even difficulty breathing. So how can you raise a cat while still limiting the effects of allergies? Let’s find out in this article!

Allergic to cat hair but want to raise a cat, what to do?

Cat hair allergy is not directly caused by cat hair but by proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine and skin cells. These proteins can fly into the air when cats lick their fur or when the fur falls out, causing irritation to people with sensitive skin.

When these proteins enter the body of an allergic person, the immune system reacts by producing chemicals such as histamine, causing allergic symptoms. These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of each person’s allergy, including:

Sneezing, runny nose

Itchy and watery eyes

Difficulty breathing or wheezing

Coughing, itchy throat

Red rash, itchy skin

Cat hair allergies can occur immediately or after a period of exposure. In particular, for people with a history of allergies or asthma, symptoms can be more severe.

Despite being allergic to cat hair, many people still want to keep cats because of their love for them. Cats bring a feeling of warmth and relaxation, while also improving the owner’s spirit. If you are a cat lover but have allergies, you can still have a cat by taking some measures to minimize the effects of allergies.

Some cat breeds may be less hypoallergenic than others. This does not mean that they are completely hypoallergenic, but they can at least help reduce the unpleasant symptoms. Hypoallergenic cat breeds include:

Sphynx cat

Sphynx cats are a hairless breed, so they do not shed like other breeds. However, they can still cause allergies because their skin secretes allergens. However, because they do not have hair, the amount of allergens will be less, if you clean them regularly, owning a Sphynx cat can reduce the risk of allergies.

Balinese cat

Balinese cats have long hair, but they produce less Fel d 1 protein (the protein that causes allergies) than other breeds. This helps reduce the risk of allergies in sensitive people.

Russian Blue Cats

Russian Blue cats have short, thick coats that shed little. Studies show that they produce less allergenic proteins, which helps reduce allergy symptoms for their owners.

Cornish Rex and Devon Rex Cats

Both of these breeds have short, smooth coats, and they produce less allergenic proteins than other breeds. In addition, their fur also sheds very little.

While these breeds may help reduce the risk of allergies, no breed is completely safe for people with allergies.

If you decide to own a cat despite having allergies, there are some measures to help reduce the risk and reduce allergy symptoms:

What to do if you are allergic to cat hair but still want to own a cat?

Grooming your cat is the best way to reduce the amount of allergenic proteins in your home. Regularly bathing your cat helps remove dirt and allergens from the cat’s body. In addition, daily brushing will help remove loose hair and dead skin cells, minimizing the spread of cat hair into the air.

Regularly clean your house, especially areas where your cat often goes, such as beds, sofas, or areas where your cat sleeps. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to clean up hair and dust in the air. Wash your cat’s blankets, pillows, and other items regularly to minimize the accumulation of allergen proteins.

Limit your cat’s exposure to all rooms in the house, especially your bedroom. This helps reduce the risk of allergies due to long-term exposure to cat proteins. You can also create a separate space for your cat to avoid letting it come into contact with the family’s living areas too much.

There are a number of products on the market that can help reduce the effects of cat dander allergies, including sprays for living spaces, pet-specific cleaners, or vitamins that improve your cat’s skin health. These products can help reduce the amount of allergen proteins in the air.

If you have allergy symptoms, you can use antihistamines or other medications as prescribed by your doctor to help relieve your symptoms. Consult your doctor first

4.6. Strengthen the immune system

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