Do you sneeze the moment a cat walks into the room?  Does your ankle itch after a cat
has rubbed up against your skin?  These are just two of the many common afflictions
seen with presence of a cat allergy.  A cat allergy can be frustrating and at times
devastating.

A cat allergy can stem from a host of reasons.  Some individuals are allergic to cat saliva. 
If a cat were to lick your wrist you might see a case of hives erupt.  Another example is if
you were to pet a cat that had just bathed himself.  Cats often clean themselves by licking
their entire body.  The saliva from the cat is present on their hair.  It is then transferred to
your hand.

Moments later you notice your eye itches, so you rub it.  You have just transferred the cat
saliva to your eye.  Within minutes your eye swells up as if someone had punched you in
the eye.  The more you rub it, the more it itches.  It is a viscous cycle.  Take some
Benadryl immediately.  The antihistamines will help to squelch your allergic reaction.

Cat hair and dander can also pose a problem to those with a cat allergy.  Petting a cat
transfers allergens to your hands and body.  The obvious thing to do is not pet the cat. 
However, this will not always solve the problem.  There may be cat hair and dander on
the chair you sit in.  Leaning and rubbing up against this hair can cause irritation and an
allergic reaction as well.

It is important to have antihistamine medication on hand if you are going to near a cat. 
Some individuals may have an extreme cat allergy.  This person should carry an
epinephrine shot with them at all times in the event that they sink into anaphylactic
shock.  It is better to be safe then sorry when it comes to a cat allergy.

If you believe that you might suffer from a cat allergy then avoid a cat filled environment
at all times.  If you must be in an environment that contains a cat make sure to keep the
environment clean to minimize the amount of cat dander.  Consult your physician for
further recommendations.

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