Is Cat Dander Giving You The Sniffles? Prevent This Problem With These Easy Tips

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Cat allergies are a common problem for millions of people around the world. While for some, it is restricted to sniffles and the occasional headaches, it is often more severe for others. Cat dander is airborne and can be carried quite far from its source. So, even if someone does not own a cat, a reaction may be triggered if there are other cats in the vicinity. Dander sticks to everything, which means that getting rid of cat dander can be quite a task

The allergic reaction to cat dander is triggered by a glycoprotein Fel D 1 which is secreted by a cat's sebaceous glands, saliva and is present in little amounts in its urine. This Fel D 1 is also present on the microscopic bits of skin that is attached at the end of cat fur. To prevent allergies, you have to make sure that your house is free of cat fur, saliva and cat urine.

You can reduce the allergens by washing all the walls and ceiling with hot soapy water. This is recommended before you even move into a house in case the previous owner or any neighbor has cats. If necessary, get the house painted. Vacuum the house with a HEPA filter fitted vacuum cleaner, especially the crevices such as windowsills, drapes and baseboards as these are places where dander tends to get trapped. Carpets are especially susceptible to dander and should be steam vacuumed regularly and cleaned periodically by professionals. The same should be done with upholstery. If possible, use vinyl or leather covers for furniture as woven fabrics trap more dander.

Beds can be covered with anti-mite sheets to reduce dander accumulation. The furnace filters should be cleaned every three months. A great way to go about this is by using a cheese cloth as it offers additional filtering. You should always dust with a wet cloth since dry dusting will scatter dander and may aggravate allergies. Since cat urine has traces of Fel D 1, try using a dust-free kitty litter, as well as gloves and a facial mask while cleaning the litter box.

Unfortunately, the struggle to remove cat dander is rarely successful. You can reduce it, but it is nearly impossible to eliminate it completely. However, with proper cleaning, allergies can be successfully kept at bay. It is for this reason that if you are planning on getting a kitten, it is always a good idea to check if any members of your family have a history of allergic reactions to cats.

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