Apr
30
2010
Are rashes from cat allergies permanent?
Posted by: Alan in cat allergies treatment, tags: allergies, from, permanent, rashes
I have red spots covered in small bumps on my forehead, and on my left cheek due to having allergic reactions to my family’s cats. Are these rashes permanent? Will they go away if I isolate myself from cat fur, and don’t get much exposure to it anymore?
Some other symptoms I have are itchy ears, watery eyes, coughing/sneezing, and runny nose.
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April 30th, 2010 at 9:37 am
No, the rash is not permanent. I am wondering if your allergic reactions are really from the cat. I am assuming that this is an adult cat that has been in the family for some time. It sounds as though your allergies are something new.
I had an allergic reaction once because my dog rolled in a plant covered in pollen. That does not mean that I was allergic to the dog. If you are truly allergic to the cat it will be next to impossible to live in the same household without experiencing your symptoms.
April 30th, 2010 at 10:37 am
They will almost certainly go away if it’s a cat allergy and you keep yourself away from cats. It’s their saliva and dandruff that are the most allergenic, but since they clean themselves by licking, their fur will be covered in cat spit and also really allergenic.
Things to do:
-Keep the cats out of your bedroom.
-Wash all your sheets and blankets in hot water and wash them regularly.
-If you have area rugs in your bedroom, wash them or get them professionally cleaned
-If you have wall-to-wall carpet in your bedroom, steam-clean it or hire somebody to do so.
-Wash your hands after petting or holding the cats.
-Talk to your doctor about taking a daily allergy medication – loratidine (generic for Claritin) is generally effective and has low risk of side effects. (It’s what I take to control my allergies.)
-Consider making an appointment with an allergist. If the symptoms are persistent and bother you, even with medication, it’s worth looking into allergy shots. They don’t cure your allergies, but they often make allergic reactions less frequent and less severe.
-If the cats will tolerate it, some people think that bathing them reduces the allergen burden. My cat hates being bathed, so it’s really not worth it to me.