Can You Suddenly Become Allergic to Cats?

There are common strategies to help you reduce allergens from cats, such as the following tips:

• Don’t let cats in your bedroom. It’s better to keep this space as dander-free as possible.
• Wash your hands after touching cats to make sure you don’t transfer allergens onto yourself.
• Remove carpets and clean walls frequently. It is easier to keep wooden or tile flooring dander-free. Regular cleaning of walls will help reduce allergens.
• Cover heating and air vents with a filtering material, such as cheesecloth, so that cat hair doesn’t get into the vents.
• Declutter your house to reduce the number of surfaces, corners and crevices on which cat allergens can get attached.
• Install a whole-house air filter, preferably a high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter.
• Change filters on air conditioning (AC) units and furnaces frequently.
• Keep the humidity level in your home at about 40 percent. This makes it difficult for allergens to travel in the air.
• Vacuum weekly with a HEPA filter vacuum.
• Use a face mask while dusting or cleaning to prevent allergens from traveling to your lungs.

Anaphylaxis is a rare but life-threatening allergic reaction, usually caused by things such as insect stings or food items and even pets. It is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that occurs within minutes of exposure and requires immediate medical attention. Without treatment, anaphylaxis can get worse very quickly and lead to death within 15 minutes. 

When someone comes into contact with an allergen capable of causing anaphylaxis, they might experience symptoms such as:

• Face swelling
• Throat swelling and choking
• Weakness or dizziness
• Blue skin
• Rapid or abnormal heart rate
• Inability to breathe due to throat swelling
• Hives
• Low blood pressure
• Wheezing

Fortunately, most pet allergies aren’t typically severe enough to cause reactions like these. They generally come in the form of itchy and watery eyes. In fact, about 30 percent of people with nonspecific allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs.

Treatment options for a sudden onset of allergies usually depend on the symptoms, but may include:

• Finding and avoiding known allergens
• Antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Nasal decongestants

If you have a severe allergy that puts you at risk of anaphylactic shock, you'll need to carry an adrenaline jab (EpiPen) with you at all times.

If your symptoms don’t let up after tackling them with the doctor’s plan, you may want to discuss immunotherapy (allergy shots) with your allergist. Although this course of treatment does not provide an immediate fix, it can dramatically improve your quality of life and be well worth the time and money spent.

An allergy specialist can determine the exact source of your allergic reactions by performing a simple prick of the skin on your arm or back. Allergies are seldom specific to a single agent and many times may be due to coexisting culprits, such as dust mites and pollen.

If your signs and symptoms are severe with nasal passages feeling completely blocked and you have difficulty sleeping or wheezing, please call your doctor. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath rapidly worsens or if you are short of breath with minimal activity.