Cats are great companions, supposed to make you feel better , although sometimes cats can give you a sneezing, tickly throat, red eyes and other nasty symptoms. But even if you have an allergy to cats, it does not mean you will have to stay away from these purring, furry pets. Here are some simple facts that will make your encounter with any feline more bearable and, why not, enjoyable:
1. Better safe than sorry
If you have allergies to pets, you already know that there are certain pills to help you cope with this condition. So rule number one is to always have your antihistamines with you. If you are going to visit someone who has a cat, make sure you take a pill in advance. If you are taken by surprise, take your pill the soonest you can and the symptoms should be easier.
2. Do not go with cats’ preferences
It might sound confusing, but this is about the places cats love most. The softest, most comfortable and covered in fabric places in the house are hot spots for cats. Since they love such places, they spend a lot of time sitting on them and leaving all kinds of allergens behind. So your safest option would be to pick a spot where cats don’t usually sit, such as a hard wood piece of furniture. It might not be very comfortable, but it will prove to be a smart choice.
3. Do not touch the cat or your face
Not touching a cat when you are allergic to it sounds logical, but refraining from touching your face is also important! Even if you are not scratching the furry ball, you can still come in contact with allergens if you are sitting in the same home. So the simplest thing for you to do is to avoid putting your hands on your face and to wash your hands every time you have the chance.
4. Always clean up after an encounter with a cat
If you think you are safe just because you left the house, you might be wrong. Every time when you get home, the first thing you should do is to take off all your clothes and wash them. Hot water and soap will wash out any trace of allergens that otherwise could be brought into your home.
5. If you have one in your home, set boundaries
Regardless the reasons why you are keeping a pet you are allergic to, you can still minimize your symptoms if you set boundaries. Make sure you keep the cat out of your bedroom and pay close attention to the way you handle any air conditioning vents. Cheesecloth can help you minimize the allergens’ spread around the house.
The above is meant to help reduce your sufferance while still enjoying the company of a cat. It can sometimes be difficult to have this pet under your roof when you have an allergy to cats, but this should never be a reason to abandon it!
