Allergy to cats: what causes it, what it can be confused with and how to treat it

Surely everyone has a friend or a friend of a friend who is allergic to cats. Contrary to popular belief that the human body reacts to animal fur, this is not true. It's all because of the protein, which is found in microscopic particles of the pet's skin, saliva and urine. As the cat walks around the house, washes its fur and plays with different objects, particles of this protein remain everywhere, but mostly on the fur. This is where the myth originated that cat fur causes an allergic reaction.

Symptoms

Different people may experience different symptoms and with different severity. Most often, an allergic reaction manifests itself in the form of:

• Nasal congestion and/or runny nose
• Coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath
• Itching/burning/swelling of the nasopharynx
• Inflammation, swelling of the eyes, lacrimation

Direct skin contact may cause:

• Itching and burning
• Irritation and dryness
• Rash/redness

If the allergen gets into the stomach, which often happens in children, the reaction appears in the form of:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Rashes on the hands: the most common diseases

In order to choose the right treatment, it is important to distinguish one type of allergic dermatosis from another. Therefore, let’s look at the symptoms of skin diseases in more detail:

1. With atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), a rash often appears on the skin of the fingers and hands. The acute period of the disease is characterized by severe itching, redness and swelling of the skin. Itchy spots can come in different shapes and sizes. Without proper treatment, crusts may form at the site of the rash. In the chronic form, symptoms such as dry skin and flaking are observed.[3]
2. Urticaria is divided into several types: immunological, physical, drug and idiopathic. The development of the first two is based on the body’s reaction to external stimuli, including food and household allergens, as well as high or low temperatures, sunlight and other factors. Taking certain medications can trigger drug-induced urticaria. Idiopathic is a rash whose cause cannot be determined.[4] All types of hives present more or less the same way: redness, swelling of the skin and the appearance of itchy blisters.
3. Contact dermatitis often affects the skin on the fingers, especially when coming into contact with harmful substances such as rubber and metal products, household chemicals, cosmetics and perfumes, topical medications, certain plants and insects.[5] The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms. The acute course is characterized by redness of the skin and the appearance of itchy blisters. The chronic form is accompanied by dryness and flaking of the skin, increased skin pattern.
4. Eczema is an acute and chronic inflammatory disease that affects both the upper and lower extremities. It may also affect various parts of the body. As a rule, eczema rashes are symmetrical, accompanied by redness and limited swelling of the skin. Small blisters filled with clear liquid often appear on affected surfaces.[6]

When can signs be deceiving?

The symptoms of cat allergy in children and adults are very similar to a number of other allergic reactions. Therefore, do not rush to give your pet away, because the reason may not be his:

• The reaction can be caused not by the pet, but by its accessories: food, shampoo, litter
• Animals that walk outside can carry particles of pollen or mold on their fur, which are strong allergens.
• A cat can infect its owner with an infection (lichen, scabies mite), which causes symptoms similar to allergies

Therefore, you should not engage in self-diagnosis, but rather consult a doctor. He will prescribe diagnostics (skin tests or blood tests) that will accurately determine the cause of the allergic reaction.

Treatment

If the diagnosis confirms an allergy to cats, then the patient will have to make several important decisions. Treatment for cat allergies primarily focuses on symptom management, general relief, and prevention. It is impossible to completely eliminate the disease and, as with all types of allergies, the key is to eliminate contact with the allergen. Therefore, if a person suffers from allergies, but cannot imagine his life without a pet, then he will have to adjust his lifestyle and constantly take anti-allergy medications.

Due attention will have to be paid to cleaning the apartment. It should be regular. Be sure to use a powerful vacuum cleaner that will remove hair from carpets and sofas.

There is another affordable option - allergy-free cats. There are also hypoallergenic cat breeds. It cannot be said that the secretion of cat protein in animals of such breeds is completely absent. The allergen is released, but in much smaller quantities. Therefore, depending on the degree of sensitivity in some, it may not cause an allergic reaction at all, while in others its manifestations will be insignificant.

Which cats do not cause severe allergies? These include cats with dense, curly hair, for example, representatives of the Cornish Rex breed. Due to the density of the coat, hair loss occurs less frequently and hair does not spread so much everywhere. But fluffy cats with thick undercoat are definitely not recommended for people with a tendency to allergies. They shed easily, causing the fur to spread throughout the room and accumulate on furnishings. Carpets, bedspreads, rugs, pillows and blankets, soft toys and other objects with a soft surface are especially dangerous from the point of view of the accumulation of cat hair.

A minimum of problems awaits owners of Sphynx cats. And to minimize the impact of the cat's secreted protein, they need to be bathed regularly - on average 1-2 times a week.

How is diagnosis carried out?

There are two ways to determine allergies - by blood test and by skin testing. Skin tests can be either superficial: applying the allergen to scratched skin, or injection: injecting it under the patient’s skin. All procedures are carried out under the supervision of an allergist to monitor the patient’s condition.

The skin reaction usually appears approximately 30 minutes after the start of the test. A blood test is used when the age or health of the patient does not allow skin testing. This allows you to minimize risks. The blood test is done over several days.

Causes of allergic reactions on hands

The main triggering factor for the development of allergic dermatoses is single or regular contact with the pathogen. In this case, treatment is aimed at completely eliminating the allergen to which the body is hypersensitive. It is quite difficult to determine, but among the most common causes of hypersensitivity are antigens from plants, animals, fungi, insects, foods, chemical compounds and drugs.

Also, allergic reactions on the fingers and other parts of the upper extremities occur due to:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases. Diseases such as biliary dyskinesia, chronic gastritis and pancreatic dysfunction can trigger the development of allergic dermatitis and contribute to its transition to a chronic form.[3]
2. Violation of the barrier function of the skin under the influence of mechanical, chemical and infectious agents. A broken epidermal barrier facilitates the penetration of allergens through the skin, the development of infection, and causes mild skin irritation.[7]
3. Unfavorable environmental conditions. High levels of environmental pollution lead to an increased susceptibility of the population to allergic dermatoses.[8]
4. Genetically determined factors. If both parents are prone to allergic diseases, the likelihood of developing neurodermatitis and other allergic dermatoses in the child is 70%.[9]

How to live with a cat if allergies are confirmed?

Based on the diagnostic results, it turned out that your body reacts specifically to the cat, but you do not want to part with your pet. What to do? By following a number of recommendations, you can reduce the likelihood of exacerbation of allergies:

• Try to pet the animal less, do not kiss it. After being held, wash it with soap.
• Regularly give your cat water treatments and brush her
• Replace the open tray with a closed one
• Do wet cleaning as often as possible, at least twice a week
• Don't forget to ventilate the rooms several times a day.
• Air washers will help clean the room from flying microparticles
• If possible, remove all carpets, bedding, and soft toys. Put things in the closet immediately

These rules will help you get along with your tailed friend in the same house. But their observance requires care and patience.

Symptoms and signs of allergies in cats

Allergy in a cat is a complex process. It is expressed in the same way in all animals. The immune system begins to actively produce antibodies, trying to suppress the effects of the dangerous element. The aggressor that provokes an allergic reaction can be anything, from food to pollen or dust.

Allergies are often confused with skin diseases, because they have a lot in common. Among the main signs of an allergic reaction are:

• profuse rashes on the skin, accompanied by peeling;
• severe itching (the cat is actively itching, which leads to abrasions, hair loss, and redness);
• frequent sneezing;
• tearfulness;
• formation of edema;
• problems with the respiratory process (wheezing, shortness of breath);
• discharge of mucus from the nose;
• disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system (severe diarrhea, bloating, intense vomiting).

If the immune system fails, even anaphylactic shock is possible. This leads to the death of the animal if you do not call a veterinarian or go to the clinic in a timely manner.

How to get rid of cat allergies?

Unfortunately, this disease cannot be completely cured. You can only reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. And there is a way to do this:

• Take medications - this option is suitable for those who do not have a cat at home, but have contact with the animal at work, at a party, or on the street. Antihistamines, aerosols, and nasal sprays can help relieve symptoms and prevent attacks.

All these treatment methods are prescribed by a doctor after diagnosis. You should not self-medicate; it is better to turn to professionals. Thus, at the AllergoCity clinic, qualified doctors - allergists and immunologists - conduct consultations. Patients are received daily, including weekends and holidays. Our specialists make home visits, where they conduct an examination, give advice, prescribe treatment and can even take tests.

Publications in the media

Allergy to pets: features of diagnosis and treatment

Allergy to pets is a pressing problem of modern allergology and clinical immunology: every year foreign scientific journals publish 3–5 original articles devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this phenomenon in patients with allergic diseases. Scientists attribute the increase in the prevalence of allergies to pets to three main reasons: a significant increase in families with animals at home (30–80% in Europe and the USA); close contact of a person with agriculture/agribusiness and his professional activities. Of no less importance is the significant increase in the number of rodents everywhere.

In Russia, targeted scientific studies of allergies to pets have not been carried out, only an article by Gusareva E. S. et al. received wide publicity in foreign literature [1]. The authors were the first to report in an international scientific journal data on allergic sensitization in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) living in Siberia (Tomsk and Tyumen): it turned out that the majority of them - 57.3% - had sensitization to a major cat allergen; other important allergens were house dust mites and dog allergens (30%). A recent joint study by Finnish and Russian scientists found that in Russia (Svetogorsk), the risk of developing atopic asthma in schoolchildren aged 7–16 years was significantly associated with the presence of cats at home and contact with them in postnatal and early age, while in In Finland (Imatra), children were more likely to have contact with dogs, and this factor was preventive in the development of asthma [2]. However, according to the researchers, constant exposure to pet allergens from an early age increases the risk of asthma.

Is the expected chain correct: “allergen exposure ® sensitization ® atopy ® allergic disease”? Analysis of numerous literature data shows that this is not always the case.

Scientists draw attention to the need for a correct methodological approach in studying such aspects of allergies to pets, such as the influence of the level and duration of exposure to animal allergens (including in utero) on human health/disease outcome, and hereditary predisposition. No less important is the question of the relationship between exposure to animal allergens and the development of specific sensitization; One should also take into account the level of allergens in public places and homes where there are no cats, for example, but there may be a sufficient amount of their allergenic proteins that can cause clinical symptoms in sensitized individuals. Finally, issues of identifying and confirming allergies to pets require clarification. After all, it is known that the diagnosis of any allergic disease is highly probable with a proven connection between the medical history, the presence of symptoms, when there is exposure to allergens, and positive allergy tests (in vivo and/or in vitro). It is clear that the doctor must have highly sensitive tests, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, the ability to prescribe effective therapy to the patient.

Let us briefly present some features of the epidemiology, therapy and prevention of allergies to pets according to our own and foreign data. Let us remind you that it is necessary to distinguish between such concepts as the effect of early/late or constant/irregular exposure to allergens, the influence of allergen exposure on sensitization, sensitization as a risk of developing allergic diseases, etc. However, we do not intend in this article to conduct an in-depth review of the above issues.

Pet Allergy Clinic

As is known, allergy symptoms can appear within 5 minutes after contact with a pet; as a rule, they increase over time and reach a maximum after 3 hours. Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity reactions occur in sensitized individuals in the form of such clinical manifestations as allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctival syndrome; on the skin side - urticaria (urticaria) at the site of contact with the animal, itching, skin hyperemia. In sensitized individuals with asthma, as a rule, inhalation of animal allergens can cause cough, shortness of breath, and bronchospasm within 20–30 minutes; sometimes the hypersensitivity reaction occurs in a delayed manner - a decrease in bronchial patency begins in patients after 3-4 hours. Rarely (in 2% of cases) asthmatic symptoms are observed without combination with nasal symptoms.

The appearance of clinical allergy symptoms is not always associated with direct contact with a pet and does not linearly depend on the concentration of allergens: in particular, the clothing of cat owners is a means of transferring the main allergen (Fel d 1) to an environment where there are no cats. Even in this case, an attack of asthma may develop in sensitized people. Passive transfer of cat allergens is also possible through the hair and shoes of cat owners. Cat allergens are found on airplanes, buses, schools and kindergartens. There is an opinion that the gender, number and type of cats plays a role.

What is an allergen?

The most powerful allergens are cat allergens. To date, more than 12 cat allergens have been described. The so-called major allergen - Fel d 1 m protein - is found on the skin and epithelium of the skin, as well as in the secretions of the sebaceous glands, urine, but not in the saliva of cats. More than 80% of patients with cat allergies have IgE antibodies to this particular glycoprotein. Due to its small particle size (3-4 microns), Fel d 1 is easily airborne and, if inhaled, causes coughing/wheezing in sensitized individuals. Males have a higher Fel d 1 content than females or castrated males. About 25% of people with cat allergies are also sensitive to feline albumin, Fel d 2, which is found in their serum, dander and saliva; 12% are sensitized to urine.

People with IgE sensitization to Fel d 1 are cross-allergic to other animal species (Siberian tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard), as well as dogs and horses. A cat-pork syndrome has been described, possibly mediated by a cross-reaction between the serum albumins of these animals. There are also cases of exercise-induced anaphylaxis after eating pork or beef.

The main dog allergens - Can f 1 and Can f 2 - are isolated from dog dander and hair. Animal dander is not only hair, but also a complex complex of other allergens. So, to diagnose dog allergies, it is important to identify three allergens: dander, epithelium and serum albumin. Animal epithelium for diagnostic purposes is obtained by scraping the epithelial layer of the skin.

Prevalence of pet allergies

The most common domestic animals that cause allergies are cats and dogs; cases of severe allergic reactions have been described after contact with rarer animals.

In the general population, ~15% of Swedish residents aged 20–45 years are allergic to cats, and in the majority of them, exposure to cat allergens causes clinical symptoms of AD. In Turkey, Pakistan and Cyprus, where traditionally few families keep cats at home, there has also been an increase in the number of patients with allergies to pets.

In 2007, we found that ~30% of Moscow schoolchildren (age 7–18 years) had a positive allergy history; including 6.6% indicated symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and more than half of them reacted with the appearance/intensification of allergy symptoms after contact with pets (mainly cats) [3].

Among patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma, an extremely high prevalence of sensitization to epidermal allergens is reported: according to various foreign authors, more than 60–70% [4].

According to Guseinova E.A., out of 130 patients with respiratory allergies (BA, allergic rhinitis) living in Kolomna, 46.7% of children and 42.8% of adults showed sensitization to epidermal allergens (cat). We also identified a high incidence of allergies to pets among children with asthma in Moscow. In particular, 84% of children aged 4–18 years suffering from asthma had various clinical manifestations of allergies after contact with a cat and/or dog (

). It should be noted that in 14 families (20.6%) parents continued to keep animals at home (a cat in 12, a dog in 2), despite children diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis being allergic to them.

In 26 children with asthma, we studied the hereditary burden of allergies to pets (mother, father, other family members) and identified such a connection in 50% of cases, mainly on the paternal side (

).

Features of diagnosing allergies to pets

To diagnose allergies to pets, skin prick tests (prick test, abroad) or prick tests (in Russia) are used. Cat hair allergen is used as a standard allergen for skin testing in Russia. According to the instructions, epidermal allergen from cat hair is a water-salt solution of protein-polysaccharide complexes isolated from animal hair and dander. Note that abroad, for this purpose, they mainly use an extract from the “cat epithelium” (dog), as well as the dander of these animals.

It is believed that with a papule diameter of 6 mm on the cat epithelium, there is a high probability that the patient can be diagnosed with an allergy to the cat [5]. There is usually no need to test intradermally.

The determination of specific IgE antibodies to animal allergens is of important diagnostic value, especially in all cases where there are contraindications for skin testing. It has been proven that these tests are practically comparable, in particular in 100–94% of cases when comparing the PharmaciaCAPsystem test system and cat epithelial skin tests [6].

Other tests (nasal/bronchoprovocation test with feline epithelium or environmental exposure chamber tests) have scientific interest and aim to study the pathogenesis of diseases, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of therapy.

IN

A comparative description of the prevalence of sensitization to cat allergens according to skin tests using an allergen from cat fur and epithelium (Allergopharma) in parallel in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis is presented.

As can be seen from the presented material, the diagnostic significance of the allergen from the cat epithelium is significantly higher than that of the cat hair allergen (in particular, positive results were obtained in 55% of patients with asthma, while sensitization to cat hair was detected in only 11% of them). This fact should be taken into account when diagnosing cat sensitization in patients. Correlation rank analysis (Spearman, Kendall, gamma correlation method) did not reveal a correlation between these two diagnostic tests (p = 0.262; p = 0.153, p = 0.153).

How is it possible to effectively treat pet allergies?

There is evidence that sensitization can develop in response to exposure to even low levels of allergens. To reduce the risk of developing an allergic disease, the patient is recommended to exclude/reduce contact with the allergen (direct, passive).

All patients with allergies to pets should be considered at risk for developing a severe allergic reaction (deaths from asthma attacks have been described after resuming contact with pets). According to foreign scientists, the best recommendation for all patients with such allergies is to completely avoid contact with animals if possible.

A study was recently conducted in Germany in which scientists directly linked the presence/absence of animals at home with the level of education of parents of sick children.

Physical methods aimed at reducing the content of animal allergens in the air are absolutely not justified: it has been established that after washing cats, the Fel d 1 level returns to its original level within 24 hours [7].

Recently, a unique drug for the treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis, Nazaval, was registered in Russia. This is a microdispersed cellulose-based powder, which, after spraying, forms a transparent gel-like protective layer on the nasal mucosa, lining the nasal cavity. This creates a natural barrier against the penetration of aeroallergens (pollen, epidermal allergens of animals and birds, fungal, insect and cockroach allergens, chemicals, bacteria and viruses) and pollutants into the body. Studies have shown that Nazaval is an effective and safe means of preventing and treating allergic rhinitis in adults, children and pregnant women [8]. For patients with allergies to pets, the drug should be prescribed before expected contact, as well as for preventive and therapeutic purposes, 1 instillation 3 times a day for a long time. Given the fact that the arsenal of topical drugs for the treatment of allergic rhinitis includes only a practically wide range of hormones, Nazaval may represent an important alternative to these drugs in terms of safety.

In the treatment of allergies to pets, all antiallergic drugs are used, including antihistamines, as well as leukotriene receptor antagonists. Abroad, allergy vaccination with cat epithelium (less often with dog allergen) has been successfully used for more than a decade [9]. In the international consensus document on specific immunotherapy, the effectiveness of treatment with cat allergen is assessed according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine as level 1a [10]. Recently, reports have appeared assessing the effectiveness and safety of allergy vaccination with recombinant cat allergen.

Conclusion

Clinical practice shows: doctors (and patients themselves) underestimate the importance of sensitization to animal allergens, and measures to prevent exposure to animal allergens are insufficiently applied. In addition, to correctly interpret diagnostic results, it is necessary to use more informative tests and methods. Therapy for such patients also requires correction taking into account the achievements of modern allergology and clinical immunology.

Causes of allergies

An allergy is a response of the body's immune system to particles that are perceived as dangerous and harmful. There is an opinion that an allergic reaction is provoked by animal fur, but this is a misconception. In fact, a molecule called Fel d1 is responsible for causing allergies. It is a protein that can be found in saliva, sebaceous and anal glands. Lovers of cleanliness, cats and cats, often and diligently lick themselves, spreading protein not only over their fur coat, but also over all objects they touch.

A hypersensitive reaction occurs even to a small amount of hair that has settled on home furniture, since there is a sufficient amount of allergen on it. Fluffy just needs to rub a little against your clothes, as tiny particles of dead skin, which are also saturated with allergic substances, have already settled on it.

Prognosis and possible complications

The disease cannot be cured, so all treatment comes down to eliminating allergens and stopping the symptoms that arise. In the absence of drug therapy, a furry allergy sufferer’s immunity suffers and internal pathologies develop. He becomes more vulnerable to viral infections, and his attacks can become chronic.

Of particular danger is bronchial asthma, which occurs in severe and acute form. It causes respiratory failure, which can be fatal if oxygen levels are too low.

With the right diet and lifestyle, the cat will feel the same as a healthy animal - without experiencing discomfort or suffering.

Clinical researches

La-Cri products are clinically proven effective. For example, clinical studies have proven the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of the products. The products are suitable for daily care of children's skin with mild to moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients.

La-Cri cosmetics, according to research results, are recommended by the Russian Union of Pediatricians.

Sources:

1. Schneiderman Paul, Grossman Mark, Differential diagnosis in dermatology. Atlas, Binom, 2021.
2. Molochkova Yulia Vladimirovna, Dermatology. Brief reference book, GEOTAR-Media, 2021.
3. Sukolin Gennady Ivanovich, Clinical dermatology. A short guide to the diagnosis and treatment of dermatoses, Notabene, 2017.