Within recent years, the domestic cat has overtaken the canine as the most popular house pet within the United States. Cats offer excellent companionship and provide years of happiness to their owners. However, approximately 10 percent of the country's population experience allergies to pets, and cat allergies are twice as likely to occur as are those related to dogs. If you suffer from such issues, you don't necessarily have to give away your beloved feline---there are plenty of options available for treating your cat-induced allergies.
Antihistamines
A simple, effective option for treating your allergic reaction to cats may be an antihistamine product. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cat allergies are due to certain proteins that are found in a feline's saliva and dander. Allergies may manifest themselves in the form of coughing, red and watery eyes and very itchy rashes or hives. Common over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin can help alleviate these symptoms. If these products don't work, you may want to discuss the merits of prescription-strength medication options with your doctor.
Immunotherapy
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) suggests aggressive treatments for allergy sufferers such as allergy shots for individuals that may not be able to avoid regular contact with cats. A series of shots, administered over a somewhat lengthy period of time (up to 3 years in some cases), are given as part of this therapy and are fairly effective at decreasing the symptoms related to cat allergies. Allergy shots of this nature are not recommended for young children. Consult a physician to determine if immunotherapy may be right for you or a family member.
Decongestants
Either over-the-counter or prescription-strength decongestant medications could be viable options for relieving the unwanted symptoms associated with cat allergies. Decongestants help decrease nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels and reducing the amount of blood flowing into your nasal passages.
Prescription Steroids
Some cat allergy sufferers may benefit from using prescription steroids, such as nasal sprays. Steroidal nasal sprays help decrease nasal passage inflammation, and can lead to fewer potential side effects when compared with oral steroids. These types of medications are quite effective as they can combat a larger number of allergy-related symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sneezing and itching.
Energy-Based Allergy Elimination
Energy-based allergy elimination is a more recently developed natural or alternative treatment option for allergy sufferers, including those who suffer from feline-related allergies. These procedures involve accessing acupuncture points and so-called "energy pathways" in the body, with the ultimate goal being the alteration of the body's future responses to contact with allergy-inducing materials. While this is not a medically-recognized treatment at this time, it may be an adequate option for people who are unwilling or unable to take antihistamines and other related drugs.
