Cat Allergies Interesting Facts And Myths!
Cats have held a mystical reputation for thousands of years and, while, for the most part, we no longer believe them to hold magical powers, there is still a huge amount of information, misinformation and even myths, circulating about all things cat including plenty on issues such as cat allergies.
Fact:
It has been estimated that approximately 2 to 10 percent of the worlds population is allergic to cats with varying degrees of severity and, of these numbers, approximately 40% of those suffering from asthma and other respiratory issues, have demonstrated a higher vulnerability;
Myth:
Cat allergies stem from the fur or hair that is shed by your pet.
This is false. Cat allergies can be directly linked to the Felis domesticus protein that is released through a cats saliva and skin. Every time your cat grooms itself, it is releasing this allergen, which floats through the air making it incredibly easy to come in contact with;
Fact:
Unfortunately, it usually takes a few days to a few weeks to determine whether you or anyone in your family is truly allergic to cats. This means that simply holding a cat or kitten for a few minutes is NOT a true measure of what may occur in the future you should not base yourself on this type of test if you are planning on adopting a cat.
Myth:
Short haired cats and certain types of breeds are considered allergy free breeds.
Since cat allergies are not caused by cat hair or fur, adopting or owning a cat with long or short hair does not really change the situation. Additionally, there currently are no cat breeds that can fully guard against allergies. There are, however, some breeds that produce less Felis domesticus protein and these, may be a good idea, for those with mild allergy symptoms.
Fact:
Some people have reported allergy symptoms increasing and others have reported marked decreases in symptoms after long term exposure to cats. Determining the long term effects of allergy symptoms, caused by cats is extremely difficult, as there does not appear to be any set standard, when it comes to the severity of the reaction and whether it will grow worse, remain the same or increase.