Cat Allergen Health Concerns

Are you sensitive to cat allergen? Watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing are symptoms you may be all too familiar with. But did you know that cat allergen could lead to worse health problems than allergic reactions?

According to statistics published by EHS Services in 1999, some 200,000 emergency room visits occur each year due to allergen exposures. These include allergens from dust mites, molds, cat and other animals. Cat allergen is the most common and dangerous. Researchers have found twelve distinct allergy-causing proteins in cats. The most significant is Fel d 1 (Felis domesticus allergen 1). These allergens are responsible for both bronchial hyperactivity and chronic inflammation.

Not only is it very potent but it's also found in high concentrations. One Japanese study reported that Fel d 1 commonly occurred in concentrations 160 times greater than dust mite allergens.

Many of those emergency room asthma episodes can be blamed directly on the common house cat. The unfortunate reality is that some of these asthma episodes end in unnecessary deaths. What if you don't have asthma? Are there health concerns you should consider? What if you don't own a cat?

How great is Your Exposure Risk?

The level of cat allergen in homes varies widely. Homes with cats may have levels of Fell d 1 as high as 578 ng per cubic meter of air. Even homes without cats have been found with as much as 88.5 ng per cubic meter air.

The level in homes without cats is explained by the prevalence of Fel d 1 in society and its "sticky" ability to be picked up by clothing, hair, or just about any surface. The non-cat owner picks it up during daily activities and returns home to contaminate their residence.

Researchers are uncertain about the level that results in sensitization but levels in the 1 to 8 micrograms per gram of dust are considered sufficient. Given widespread cat ownership and the ease with which Fel d 1 is carried by their owners almost everyone is exposed to levels high enough to cause allergy.

How You May Become Allergic

It is possible for you to develop a cat allergy even if you aren't now. On average, 10% to 20% of persons are sensitive to cat allergen. Among those with cats in their homes cat allergies can run as high as 80%.

It may take as long as two years for allergies to develop. Tobacco smoke or other irritants accelerate sensitization. They also make the allergy worse by working in combination with cat allergen. Should you remove the cat from your home, it can take another six months for symptoms to subside.

Special Concerns for Children

Infants exposed to cat allergen develop allergies to cats three times as often as those not exposed. Tobacco smoke increases the onset of these allergies and aggravates symptoms.

Children who have cat allergies are likely to develop a more severe asthma than children who are not allergic to cats. Allergies to pollens are also aggravated by cat dander exposure.

Children have been shown to suffer from reduced academic performance because of allergic reactions. In 2000, children lost an estimated 2 million school days due to allergies and the side effects of allergy medicines.

While not all the lost school days can be blamed on cats, cat allergies are generally considered the most significant and so much of the blame for lost school days can be laid at their four paws.

Effects of Cat Dander Particle Size

The particle size of cat dander and allergen particles is also a concern. Many of these particles remain suspended in air for hours after being disturbed. The only effective methods of removal are ventilation or a HEPA filter air purifier that provides several air exchanges per hour. A high quality HEPA filter air purifier also improves overall air quality.

With most below 5 microns, cat dander and allergen particles are considered lung-penetrating particles. It has been shown that one of every five cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the result of elevated levels of particulates in the under 10 micron range. In fact, every 10 microgram increase in these airborne particles is associated with a 12% increase in SIDS.

Chest x-rays of those exposed long term to allergenic micro-particles such as cat dander have found nodules in the lung tissues. Chronic bronchial inflammation from regular exposure allergens can cause lung tissue scarring and reduced lung function. This damage is permanent and speaks for complete avoidance of cat allergen and dander.

What Can You Do About Cat Allergen?

This is just a sampling of the health problems stemming from cat dander and cat allergen exposure. The best way to eliminate these health threats is to remove cats from your home. This is especially important for any who are predisposed to cat allergy.