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Tell If You Have Cat Allergies - Watch for initial allergy symptoms. Your eyes might swell and itch, while your nose drips or gets congested. You might also sneeze or cough.
Observe your skin for any irritations. Scratching or licking can cause redness on your skin. Also look for a rash on your upper extremities, which can develop in highly allergic individuals, according to the AAFA.
Take an allergy skin test to determine if you're allergic to cats. An allergist will prick your skin and apply animal proteins to your skin. If you're allergic to cats, your skin will develop itching and a bump.
Undergo a blood test which can screen for specific antibodies that cause allergies. Blood tests are necessary when you can't have an allergy skin test, usually due to medication interactions.
Up to 30 percent of people have allergic responses to cats and dogs, with cat allergies being more common, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Cats shed dander which can trigger allergies. Pet hair can also contain other allergens such as pollen. When you develop an allergic response to a cat, your immune system tries to ward off what it considers a foreign invader. Proteins from a cat's saliva or shed skin can cause a reaction, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms.
by eHow
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Tell If You Have Cat Allergies
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