Alice White
Around 10% of all Americans are sensitized to pets, with cat allergies coming first. Find out what you can do about it here.
Rules for Everyday Life
The symptoms of an allergy can definitely affect us in everyday life. In the case of a cat allergy, it is especially uncomfortable when you want nothing more than a pleasant coexistence with your house tiger.
In addition to drug and symptomatic treatment options, there are a few other steps you can take to relieve your cat allergy. In the following, we will introduce you to the most important options.
Hygiene
While this point may seem obvious to you, it is important to maintain a clean and tidy living environment. The Fel d1 allergen, emitted by cats, spreads very quickly through the air in the home with fur and flakes of skin.
To keep the effects as low as possible, it is advisable to vacuum the apartment once a day. It is best to use a vacuum cleaner with a bag and filter. This removes the allergens from the surfaces and collects them in the filter. Don’t forget to vacuum textiles such as blankets and pillows. Steam clean all washable surfaces to remove allergens.
The Right Floor Coverings
Carpets and tapestries are real dust and allergen traps and therefore absolutely not advisable if you have an allergy.
Instead, opt for solid, washable floor coverings such as parquet, tiles, or plastic coverings (PVC, linoleum, or vinyl). If the carpet has already been laid in your apartment, you should clean it regularly as a preventive measure.
Clean Air
To purify the air in your home as effectively as possible, you can use an air purifier with a filter. This device sucks the air out of the apartment, filters it, and expels it after cleaning. Thanks to the filter, air purifiers can also remove dirt that we would not notice.
With the help of the air purifier, cat hairs in the air can also be filtered out. However, since the effectiveness has still not been fully proven, it is best to ventilate the apartment for about ten minutes a day.
Avoid Contact with Cat Hair
In the case of a confirmed cat allergy, regular contact with the animal should be avoided if possible. However, if you can’t help cuddling your house tiger, you should always wash your hands and face thoroughly afterward.
The trigger for the allergy is not the cat hair, as is often assumed, but the protein Fel d1, which the animals excrete through their saliva and distribute on the fur. Appropriate hygiene is therefore essential.
Appropriate Care for the Cat
To prevent allergic reactions, you should also groom your cat regularly. Comb the animal outside or ask someone who is not allergic to do so.
You can also bathe your cat and treat it with an antiallergic lotion (once a week). You can find these in the pharmacy, a pet shop, or at the veterinarian. 83% more flakes of skin can be removed when bathing than with simple combing.
If your cat is not going to be bathed under any circumstances, you can rub it with a damp washcloth once or twice a week. There are also special wipes that are particularly effective in removing the allergen from the fur.
Prohibit Access to Certain Rooms
Don’t let your cat into the bedroom. Even if you find it difficult, this is essential for a good night’s sleep. If your cat does sneak into bed, you should wash the bedding at a temperature of at least 60 ° C afterward.
Now you know all the tips and tricks on how you can enjoy everyday life with your house tiger despite a cat allergy. However, this advice is of course no substitute for a visit to the doctor who can prescribe appropriate medication and treatment methods for you.
