Allergies to Cat Urine

If you find yourself wheezing up a storm whenever you're near a cat's litter box, his urine could be the culprit. Cat allergies are generally triggered by the presence of Fel-D-1, a protein found in cat fur, sweat and saliva, as well as urine.

Allergens in Cat Urine

The protein in cat urine that triggers allergies is microscopic. As a result, people in close proximity to cat pee are able to inhale it into their noses or lungs. If your immune system is extremely sensitive, you may experience a response to these typically innocuous proteins.

Potential Signs of Cat Allergies

Possible indications of cat urine allergies in people include:

Wheezing
Coughing
Sneezing
Eye irritation
Eye redness
Nasal congestion
Itchy nose
Runny nose
Face or chest rashes
Breaking out into hives

These symptoms are signs of cat allergies in general, whether from dander, saliva or urine.

Protection From Cat Urine

Protect yourself from the potential dangers of the allergens found in cat urine by placing litter boxes in parts of your home that don't have any carpeting. Clean litter boxes no less than once daily. If your cat ever urine marks or has an accident, thoroughly clean up the mess without delay. Purchase cedar sawdust or pine litters, too. These woods are excellent for ammonia neutralization and soaking up fluid.

Cat Allergy Management

If you think that you're allergic to cats due to the symptoms you experience when you're around cat urine, visit an allergist for a skin-prick test. If you are allergic, your doctor may recommend management options such as allergy shots, oral antihistamines, bronchodilators, antihistamine eyedrops and steroid nasal sprays. She may decide which treatment is best for you by assessing your symptoms. If cat allergies keep making your nose run, for example, steroid nasal sprays may be optimal. Lifestyle changes can also often help reduce allergic symptoms to cats. Some examples of these include:

Regular home vacuuming
Bathing your cat regularly
Investing in a HEPA cleaner for your residence
Restricting your cat's access to your bedroom
Washing your hands after touching your cat

Tips

Cat urine soiling can result in allergens that linger for years and years at a time. If a cat urinated on your furnishings, carpeting or flooring and the mess was never properly cleaned up, there could be minimal allergens remaining even if the animal no longer resides in the house.

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