Natural Remedies for Cat Allergies in Humans
It’s understandable why there are so many cat owners across the world. After all, who wouldn’t want a fluffy sidekick to goof around with and snuggle in the mornings? Unfortunately, however, studies have shown that more and more humans are developing cat allergies, with as many as 20% of human adults being allergic globally. Whether you’re a new cat owner who’s just found out you have cat allergies, or you’re someone looking to adopt but are worried about your symptoms, there’s good news: there are several natural remedies for cat allergies in humans that you can utilize! These remedies range from simple cleaning habits to certain products you can look to use.
What Are Symptoms of Cat Allergies?
Similar to other allergic reactions, someone’s cat allergy symptoms can present themselves in a variety of ways. These could include, but are not limited to: itchy eyes, coughs, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and rashes. In some individuals, cat allergies can present in even more severe symptoms such as chest pains and shortness of breath.
If you’re unsure about whether you’re allergic, or you’re worried about experiencing these symptoms in the future, then you should look into getting tested for cat allergies. You can ask your doctor or allergist, or you can even take a test at home – both options can be quite simple and affordable! For more information, take a look at our article about getting tested for cat allergies.
What Causes Cat Allergies in Humans?
In order to understand how natural remedies for cat allergies work, it’s helpful to get an idea of what actually causes these reactions in humans. Most of the time, these uncomfortable symptoms arise due to your body’s immune system overreacting to a foreign substance, known as an “allergen”. Specifically, your body treats these allergens as harmful invaders, when they’re actually safe. This mounts an immune response which leads to the production of Immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE), and eventually histamine, which triggers inflammatory responses (such as the symptoms above).
In the case of cat allergies, the main allergen of concern is a protein called Fel D1. These proteins are found in cats’ saliva and are spread when they lick/groom themselves and eventually shed their dander and hair. During grooming, Fel D1 can also become airborne. This is all to say that, contrary to popular belief, cat allergies are due to the spread of cat saliva – not due to cats themselves. As a result, there are certain features and breeds of “hypoallergenic” cats that are easier to deal with for people with cat allergies.
What Are Some Natural Remedies for Cat Allergies in Humans?
In general, one of the best remedies in dealing with allergies is to try to avoid the cause of the symptoms as much as you can. Cat allergies are no different: the best way to avoid these symptoms is to stay away from cats. However, as simple as this sounds, this solution might not be the most feasible for everyone – especially for cat owners and cat lovers.
In the case that you can’t avoid being around cats, there are many other natural remedies for cat allergies in humans.
Improve Household Hygiene
The easiest and most natural remedies for cat allergies in humans include improving laundry habits, dusting more often, and vacuuming more frequently. In particular, regularly washing all of your clothes and linen could significantly reduce the amount of Fel D1 around your living space. This is especially important for surfaces that cats love to groom and shed on, such as your bed sheets and couch coverings. By reducing the amount of cat allergens, you’ll have a better handle on your cat allergies.
Dusting and vacuuming more often and at greater lengths could also reduce the amount of cat allergens in your vicinity. In particular, doing a deep clean every now and then around your cat’s litter box can make a huge difference!
Some cat owners may also opt to purchase an air purifier for cat allergies. In general, air purifiers with HEPA filters tend to be best at filtering for airborne allergens. For more information, take a look at our other article about air purifiers.
Brushing and Bathing Your Cat
Another method of naturally addressing your cat allergies is to help improve your cats’ hygiene as well. Brushing your cat, for instance, is a quick and easy way to get rid of hair buildup, which in turn reduces the spread of cat dander and Fel D1 in the long run. While some cats may not enjoy being brushed, you may find that yours might! In fact, there are brushes specifically made for cats. If you’re interested, Pacagen’s store offers easy-to-use and affordable Pet Brushes exactly for this purpose.
On the other hand, bathing a cat can be very tricky. For the most part, cats are not the biggest fans of water. In the case that your cat doesn’t mind as much, however, bathing your cat can be a great way to get rid of pet dander and Fel D1. Just make sure that the water’s warm and to your cat’s liking, and to only wash them every couple of months (at most) to avoid unwanted skin issues.
Using an Indoor Allergen Neutralizer
One of the most effective ways to address cat allergies in humans is to utilize allergen neutralizers specifically made to improve symptoms. If you’re looking for such an option, using Pacagen’s Cat Allergen Neutralizing Spray is an incredibly reliable way to minimize allergen exposure indoors, while being safe for both people and cats. With just a few sprays, cat allergens on both surfaces and in the air can be effectively neutralized. You can even incorporate such products into your cleaning routine, making for a satisfying finish!
