Do antihistamines stop pet allergies

Pet Allergy

How common are allergies to pets?

Cat and dog allergy is common, especially in people who also have allergic asthma or hay fever. It is also possible to be allergic to other types of animals including those with hair (fur), feathers or even scales, including:

• Rabbits
• Rodents such as guinea pigs, mice and hamsters
• Birds
• Horses
• Reptiles, such as iguanas
• In addition allergy to pet bedding (straw, shredded paper, moulds ) is a possibility

What causes pet allergy?

Pet allergy is caused by the protein in a pets saliva, urine or dander (shed skin particles). Cats and dogs produce multiple proteins with the potential to cause a pet allergy. It is commonly thought that the hair causes symptoms, however it is the pets dander that is mainly responsible. This is spread when pets shed their hair or feathers or groom themselves. Cat allergen is found on the skin and fur and is due to their sebaceous and salivary glands: when a cat licks itself the allergen is transferred onto the hair. Dog allergen is found mainly in the hair, dander and saliva. The main source of allergen for rodents, such as mice, is in their urine.

Allergic signs and symptoms are seen in people whose immune system mistakenly recognises pet dander, saliva, or urine, as a harmful substance (allergen) and, as a result, produces IgE antibodies as a defence mechanism. On further exposure to that pet allergen, allergic signs and symptoms may be seen as an allergic reaction.

Pet hair itself can also act as a carrier of other airborne allergens: pollen, house dust mite and mould, which can cause allergic symptoms in individuals with hay fever, asthma, or eczema. Pet dander alone can also be an allergic trigger in these allergic conditions. Having a cat or dog allergy is also a risk factor for the development of allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Exposure to pet dander in the environment

It is possible to develop an allergy to an animal or pet at any time, even where that animal has previously been a pet, or where a pet does not live in your home. Workplace exposure can occur for occupations such as vets, farmers, and laboratory scientists.

Pet allergens can also be found in schools and public places where they have been transferred on clothing and shoes from pet owners. Exposure to cat allergen in schools can exacerbate symptoms in asthmatic children with cat allergy.

Cat allergen is particularly persistent and can remain in homes long after a cat is no longer there. Pet dander can become airborne as hair is shed by grooming and collects on furniture and other surfaces.

Horse allergy is an important problem even in a young urban population. It causes a wide range of allergic symptoms from urticaria (rash) to respiratory problems. This type of allergen can also be carried on clothing with the dander being transferred.

Hypo-allergenic pets

There is no such thing as a truly non-allergic dog or cat.

Signs and symptoms of a pet allergy

Allergic symptoms of a pet allergy can be mild, moderate or severe, depending upon the individuals sensitivity and level of exposure. They can start within minutes of exposure or can be delayed (late phase response) and include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Breathing difficulties
• Wheeze
• Watery, red, itchy eyes
• Skin rash/Hives
• Eczema flare
• Anaphylaxis

Diagnosing a pet allergy

Identifying allergic triggers is an important part of managing an allergy.

If you suspect pet allergy it is important to discuss this with your GP or Health Professional, especially if you have other allergic conditions such as asthma, rhinitis or eczema.

Your GP/Health Professional may refer you for allergy testing to confirm or exclude a pet allergy. This can be done by a blood test for specific IgE to the suspected animal and/or by skin prick testing. Referral to an allergy specialist may be needed. Allergy testing before getting a pet for people without any symptoms of allergy is unhelpful. This is because subsequent exposure may still lead to allergy in a person who has previously not been allergic to pets.

Practical advice on reducing animal dander exposure

Using a combination of the following pet allergen control measures may help to reduce symptoms and control existing allergic symptoms that are triggered by pet allergen.

Inside the home:

• Keep pets outside if possible and always out of the bedroom
• Do not allow pets to sit or sleep on soft furnishings such as sofas, cushions, or beds
• Wash pet bedding regularly on a hot wash
• Remove horse-riding clothes before entering the home. Bag and wash them and shower after riding
• Using an air purifier may help reduce indoor airborne allergens

Outside the home:

• Avoid contact with relevant animals
• If possible avoid visiting homes/areas where pets live
• If exposure is likely, try taking an antihistamine beforehand and use your prescribed preventative treatment for asthma / rhinitis. Avoid touching the pet or being in the same room
• Wash hands after touching or being licked by a pet
• Washing and grooming pets regularly (by a non-allergic person) may help reduce allergen shedding.

By cleaning:

The aim of these recommendations are to reduce the amount of allergen in the air and environment, including on surfaces, soft and hard furnishings and the floor.

• Damp dust as often as possible to help keep pet dander (as well as dust mites and other allergens) to a minimum
• Clean carpets using a vacuum (but it must be one with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter and wash hard floor surfaces with hot, soapy water
• Wash soft furnishings like duvet covers, curtains, cushions, soft toys on a hot wash cycle
• Super- heated steam cleaning has the potential to disrupt allergens so that they no longer cause symptoms
• Clean animal cages outside and replace any bedding or litter that has urine on it.

Pet allergy management and treatment

1. Avoid the pet or animal where possible
2. If this is impossible or insufficient then medication to help alleviate the symptoms can be used after advice from a Health professional (GP or Pharmacist). Medicines include:

• Non-sedating antihistamines
• Antihistamine nasal sprays
• Eye drops
• Nasal sprays
• Asthma inhalers
• Allergen barrier balm

1. In moderate to severe pet-induced allergy, allergen-specific immunotherapy may be appropriate. This requires initial GP assessment then referral to allergy/immunology specialist. It is unlikely to be NHS funded.

The 5 Best Antihistamines For Cat Allergies

The 5 Best Antihistamines For Cat Allergies

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

The best antihistamines for cat allergies reduce symptoms while leaving you clear-headed and feeling energetic.

Thats why Ive chosen Allegra 24-Hour gel caps as the best antihistamine for cat allergies. The active ingredient relieves allergy symptoms without making you feel sluggish or causing other side effects. The gel caps are easy to swallow and get positive customer reviews.

At A Glance: Best Antihistamines For Cat Allergies To Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. Youll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Antihistamines For Cat Allergies

Overall Best 1. Allegra Allergy 24 Hour Gel Caps	Runner Up 2. Claritin Non-Drowsy 24-Hour Relief Reditabs	Best Affordable 3. GoodSense All Day Allergy Cetirizine HCl Tablets	Best Eye Drops 4. Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops	Best For Instant Relief 5. Zyrtec 24 Hour Allergy Relief
Active Ingredient 180 mg Fexofenadine Hydrochloride	Active Ingredient 10 mg Loratadine	Active Ingredient 10mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride	Active Ingredient Ketotifen	Active Ingredient 10 mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride
Appropriate for Ages 12 years and older	Appropriate for Ages 6 years and up	Appropriate for Ages 6 years and up	Appropriate for Ages 3 years and up	Appropriate for Ages 6 years and up
Format Gel caps	Format Tablets	Format Tablet	Format Eye Drops	Format Small Tablets
Key Strength Non-drowsy	Key Strength Quick-dissolving tablets eliminate the need to swallow a pill	Key Strength A fast-acting antihistamine at a great price	Key Strength Targets eye itchiness without side effects	Key Strength Fast-acting formula
Cost per Dose $0.41	Cost per Dose $0.32	Cost per Dose $0.04 to $0.33	Cost per Dose $0.42	Cost per Dose $0.58

The question here isnt which antihistamine is best for people who are allergic to catsthe question is which antihistamine is best for you.

Every body reacts to antihistamines differently.. Some people might get drowsy on Allegra and others might love Benadryl, but its hard to predict which antihistamine will work best for you until you havetaken it and see how you react.

To make the search easier for you, this guide explains the differences between popular antihistamines and explores which types work best for unique needs.

How Do Antihistamines For Cat Allergies Work?

All cats secrete potentially-allergenic proteins in their saliva, urine, and skin. At roughly 1/10th the size of a dust allergen, these microscopic particles are invisible and tenacious. They become airborne and hide in the environment for up to 6 months after a cat has passed through.

Most people can come into contact with these proteins without having any problems, but for 5-10% of the population, exposure to them triggers cold or flu-like symptoms that include sneezing, itchy eyes, sore throat, coughing, and a runny nose.

The immune system and a chemical called histamine are responsible for these reactions. When the body comes into contact with something it perceives as an irritantlike Fel-D1 proteinsit releases histamine, an organic compound present throughout the body and concentrated in the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.

When histamine attaches to histamine receptors in the body, it initiates the itchiness, redness, and other symptoms associated with an allergic reaction.

As inverse agonists, antihistamines bind to histamine receptors, effectively creating the opposite effect of histamine.We can divide antihistamines into two groupsthe old generation and the new generation.

The older generation of antihistamines was developed in the 1940s. These antihistamines are not selective about which receptors they target and cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning that they are very likely to cause drowsiness.

Types of old generation antihistamines for cat allergies:

• Chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)

The next generation of antihistamines entered the market in the 1980s. These second-generation antihistamines cross the blood-brain barrier much less than older antihistamines, making them less sedating.

Types of new generation antihistamines for cat allergies:

• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• Fexofenadine (Aller-ease, Allegra)

As long as you choose a non-drowsy product that doesnt contain acetaminophen, all of these antihistamines are safe for both occasional and frequent use. They are appropriate whether you use them once a year when visiting a cat-owning friend or every day while living with a cat of your own.

Our Top Picks For The Best Antihistamines For Cat Allergies

Now that you have a better understanding of how we came to our top picks, youre probably eager to see them!

Here are our top 5 picks for best antihistamines for cat allergies:

Overall Best

Product Info

• Active Ingredient: 180 mg Fexofenadine Hydrochloride
• Appropriate for Ages: 12 years and older
• Format: Gel caps
• Key Strength: Non-drowsy
• Cost per Dose: $0.41

Pros

• Fast-acting formula provides allergy relief within an hour of dosing
• Continues to minimize allergy symptoms for 24 hours after you take the capsule
• Gel caps are easy to dose and swallow
• Extraordinarily non-drowsy

Cons

• One of the more expensive antihistamines on the market

If feeling sharp is your top priority, fexofenadine is the antihistamine for you. Researchers have noted that this drug is consistently the least sedating of the new-generation antihistamines. Its grogginess-free performance has made it a recommended product for airline pilots and others in safety-critical occupations.This antihistamine is available in both gel caps and traditional tablets, but the gel caps are easier to swallow. The fast-acting formula will start to provide relief within an hour after you take the gel cap. It continues to work for 24 hours after dosage, relieving sneezing, itchiness, runny nose, and fatigue associated with cat allergies.Fexofenadine was originally only sold under the brand name Allegra, but generic versions have been available since 2011. If price is a priority, you might consider the generic versions from Target, Walmart, and other stores.

Runner Up

Product Info

• Active Ingredient: 10 mg Loratadine
• Appropriate for Ages: 6 years and up
• Format: Tablets
• Key Strength: Quick-dissolving tablets eliminate the need to swallow a pill
• Cost per Dose: $0.32

Pros

• One of the top-rated and most trusted antihistamines on the market
• A non-drowsy product
• Quick-dissolve tablets are easy to take
• Highly effective for cat allergies and other allergies
• Moderate price

Cons

• Some people experience drowsiness after taking loratadine

Our top pick is an effective crowd favorite, but it doesnt work for everyone. If you dont find the antihistamine for you on the first try, you may have to sample a variety before settling on a product for long-term use.This loratadine-based product is recommended by Amazon as the best antihistamine on the market. Loratadine was developed in the 1980s and was originally intended to be the first-ever non-drowsy antihistamine.Claritin gets good customer reviews and is generally regarded as a non-drowsy, side-effect-free product that provides relief without weighing you down. One dose relieves itchiness, sneezing, and other symptoms for 24 hours.Instead of traditional tablets that you swallow whole, these are Reditabs that dissolve in your mouth. This makes them ideal for people who cant swallow pills.Though most customer reviews are positive, some people experience a variety of side effects.

Best Affordable

Product Info

• Active Ingredient: 10mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride
• Appropriate for Ages: 6 years and up
• Format: Tablet
• Key Strength: A fast-acting antihistamine at a great price
• Cost per Dose: $0.04 to $0.33

Pros

• Non-drowsy for most users
• Affordable
• Most people find it highly effective in relieving cat allergy symptoms

Cons

• May not be as effective as its name-brand equivalent

This generic antihistamine is made with cetirizine hydrochloride, the active ingredient in Zyrtec. The antihistamine is known for rapid relief with minimal drowsiness. Though generally regarded as a non-drowsy antihistamine, cetirizine causes drowsiness in about 15% of users.Each tablet provides 24 hours of relief from sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms associated with cat allergies.Though the product receives generally positive reviews, some customers say that its not as effective as its name-brand equivalent, Zyrtec.

Best Eye Drops

Product Info

• Active Ingredient: Ketotifen
• Appropriate for Ages: 3 years and up
• Format: Eye Drops
• Key Strength: Targets eye itchiness without side effects
• Cost per Dose: $0.42

Pros

• Proven to relieve eye itchiness for up to 12 hours
• Doesnt contain vasoconstrictors
• Is safe for kids and adults ages 3 and up
• Non-drowsy with virtually no side effects

Cons

• Only addressed eye itchiness and no other allergy symptoms

If your primary cat allergy symptom is itchy eyes, you might consider using eye drops as a complement or alternative to your traditional antihistamines. These drops are 0.35% ketotifen fumarate, an antihistamine that helps to relieve itchiness for 12 hours. Unlike many antihistamine eye drops, Zaditor doesnt contain a vasoconstrictor and is safe for kids and adults ages 3 years and older.The drops wont stop a runny nose or clear congestion, but they appear to do an excellent job of soothing itchy eyes.

Best For Instant Relief

Product Info

• Active Ingredient: 10 mg Cetirizine Hydrochloride
• Appropriate for Ages: 6 years and up
• Format: Small Tablets
• Key Strength: Fast-acting formula
• Cost per Dose: $0.58

Pros

• Fast-acting formula
• One of the most trusted, effective products on the market
• Works for 24 hours after each dose
• Non-drowsy with minimal side effects

Cons

• Expensive
• Makes some people feel drowsy

This fast-acting antihistamine is one to keep in your bag in case you find yourself in a cat-inclusive home and need rapid relief. The antihistamine works faster than fexofenadine and continues to provide relief for 24 hours after each dose.Youll need to take it a couple of times before it starts working really well. Zyrtec says that it works hard during the first hour and harder the next time you take a dose.The active ingredient, cetirizine hydrochloride, is a relatively non-drowsy antihistamine, though it comes with a slightly higher risk of drowsiness when compared to fexofenadine.

Final Thoughts

Antihistamines are the best way to get rapid relief, but controlling your cat allergies is best achieved with a mix of treatments.

In addition to antihistamines, your treatment options include nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, leukotriene inhibitors, and, for long-lasting correction, allergy shots.

And you can do more than treat yourself. If you have a cat in your household, you can also treat him and the environment. Using an air purifier can reduce the number of allergens that remain airborne in your home, and its also worth checking out the Kittyexpert blog to learn and become mindful of the side effects of secondhand smoke on cats.

Regularly bathing your cator asking someone else to take on the chorecan also help to reduce the amount of allergenic dander he distributes. Products such as Allerpet/c can be applied to your cats fur to help reduce the reactivity of your cats dander.

And finally, Purina has developed a new cat food called Purina Pro Plan Live Clear, which neutralizes the Fel d1 proteins in cats saliva and fur.

Was this article helpful?

Let us know what you think.