I have cat allergies
I do, I’ve mentioned it in other posts, and here it is again, I’m allergic to cats. Yet I happily allow my cats to sleep with me. In fact, I’m happier when they do. So, is sleeping with your cat if you have cat allergies a bad idea? Apparently, yes.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America claim that almost 10% of Americans are allergic to pets, and cats, unfortunately, are the main culprit. The reason for that isn’t due to cat fur, it’s about dander.
Cat dander consists of microscopic pieces of dry cat skin which become airborne, landing on bedding, curtains, carpeting, and other surfaces, including humans’ skin and clothing. Cat dander particles are tiny, about 1/10th the size of dust mites. Dry skin particles wouldn’t be particularly allergenic except for a factor known as Fel D1.
Fel D1 is a glycoprotein found in the cat’s sebaceous glands under the skin, and to a lesser degree in cats’ saliva, and urine. When a cat grooms his coat, the Fel D1 present in his saliva lands on the cats’ skin and hairs, and, combined with the Fel D1 from the sebaceous glands, creates a sort of “double whammy” to allergy sufferers.
Cat dander is small and lightweight, so it can be airborne for hours. Also, it’s a sticky protein, so it clings to clothes, skin, carpets, bed linens…
Here are some tips to help minimize dander, the source of our cat allergies
- Use allergy covers on your mattress and pillows.
- Wash your sheets at least once a week
- if you already have carpeting (wood flooring is preferable) vacuum often
- use an allergen-proof vacuum cleaner bag or a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filter.
- steam cleaning your carpet periodically is especially helpful.
- get an air cleaner with a HEPA filter for your bedroom
- Open your windows: ventilation will air out dander in your bedroom
our cats love sleeping with us, and by adhering to these suggestions, I love it too!
