How Long Does It Take Otc Allergy Medications To Manage Symptoms
When used appropriately, OTC allergy medications such as antihistamines and decongestants can start to relieve symptoms within 15 to 30 minutes. Corticosteroid nasal sprays may take 6 to 8 hours to begin working and may take several days to a couple weeks until they reach their maximum effect.
Its important to understand your symptoms and select the best medication for you.
Cat Allergy Supplement Guide
You can also buy cat allergy supplements and natural, holistic remedies, including the ones we have reviewed above. These tend to be milder than prescription medication and offer some relief from the symptoms of allergies.
- Liquid A liquid supplement usually comes in a bottle with a dropper or spray. The liquid can be added to food or, in rare cases, it can be given directly to the cat by spraying in their mouth.
- Pill Pills are the traditional means of delivering medication to cats and other animals. Smaller pills with no smell or taste can be secreted in a small piece of meat or inside a pill Larger pills may need to be ground down. Alternatively, you can use a pill popper to effectively and safely fire the pill down your cats throat.
- Spray A spray is usually a topical solution and is applied to irritated or itchy skin areas. These are relatively easy to apply, although your cat may not like the sound of the applicator.
- Foam A foam is another topical solution. In most cases, you apply it directly to the affected area of the cat and then rub it or dab it in. Some foams may need to be lathered up before being applied.
- Powder A powder can be added to food or to a food-based treat before being given to your cat. The texture of powder means that your cat may recognize its existence and avoid it, but it is more difficult to avoid powder than it is to avoid a pill.
Allergy Shots For Severe Pet Allergies
Allergy shots are small doses of the pet allergen, over a period of time, which then lets the immune system see the allergen in small doses, says Ratika Gupta, MD, allergist/immunologist and the other co-author of What? I Could Be Allergic to That?Dr. Gupta recommends allergy shots as the best line of defense against severe pet allergies.
Also known as immunotherapy, allergy shots are supervised by your immunologist or allergist. This can essentially be considered a cure for allergies, Dr. Gupta says. However, they require a time commitment and can be expensive.
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Skip Having A Drink With Dinner
Drinking any type of alcohol increases blood flow to the linings of your nose and can make nasal allergy symptoms worse, notes Dykewicz. Also, if youre someone who has year-round nasal issues, including frequent congestion, this scenario can be complicated by alcohol. When seasonal allergies hit and youre already feeling congested, skip the beer or wine to avoid worsening your allergy symptoms.
What Causes Cat Allergies
About 10% of the U.S. population has pet allergies and cats are among the most common culprits. Cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. But contrary to what you might think, it’s not the fur or hair that’s the real problem. People with cat allergies are really allergic to proteins in the cat’s saliva, urine, and dander .
How do these tiny proteins cause such a big allergic reaction in the body? People with allergies have oversensitive immune systems. Their bodies mistake harmless things — like cat dander — for dangerous invaders, and attack them as they would bacteria or viruses. The symptoms of the allergy are the side effects of your body’s assault on the allergen, or trigger.
Keep in mind that even if you don’t have an actual cat allergy, your cat can still indirectly cause your allergies to flare up. Outside cats can bring in pollen, mold, and other allergens on their fur.
And what about so-called “hypoallergenic” cats? While some breeds — like the “hairless” sphinx — are said to be less likely to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than others, any cat has the potential to cause problems. This is true regardless of its breed, hair length, or how much it sheds. So if you know that you or another family member is allergic to cats, getting one — no matter what the breed — is not a good idea.
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Best Medicine For Cat Allergies 2020
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So, youre a cat lover who just happens to be allergic to cats. Its a disaster!
Since we know that giving up your beloved feline friend is not an option, the only option is to find yourself some of the best medicine for cat allergies out there.
You can have your cat and pet it, too! Just check out our list below if youre in need of some allergy medicine that will allow you to enjoy the company of your cat without any allergic reactions.
Can You Live With A Pet If You Are Allergic
Dr. Gupta says that while no cat or dog is hypoallergenic, it may be possible to have a peteven if you have pet allergiesif youre absolutely set on the idea. In addition to the immunotherapy that she recommends, she also suggests the following:
- Purchase a HEPA filter
- Clean floors regularly with a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner
- Dont allow your pet to sleep in the bedroom with you
- Give your pet a bath once per week
Chances are if youve fallen in love with your pet before you discovered youre allergic, youll likely want to find a way to keep your four-legged friend around. It will take more work and likely be more expensive, but it is possible to have a pet even if youre allergic.
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Cat Allergies In Infants
There is ongoing debate among scientists whether infants who are exposed to animals at a very young age are destined to develop allergies, or if the opposite is true. Recent studies have come to conflicting conclusions. A 2015 study found that exposing infants to cats and dogs at home is associated with a higher risk of developing allergies during the first four years of the childs life.
On the other hand, a 2011 study found that babies who live with cats, especially during the first year of life, develop antibodies to the pet and were less likely to acquire an allergy later.
A 2017 study found that cats and dogs may provide a benefit by exposing babies to certain healthy bacteria early in life. The study concluded that babies exposed to a cat or dog in the home during pregnancy may have fewer problems with allergies in the future than babies who werent exposed.
Your doctor will be able to answer questions you may have about your baby and your cat. For children who are allergic, removing fabric toys and stuffed animals and replacing them with plastic or washable ones may help relieve symptoms.
Avoidance is best to prevent the allergies in the first place. But if you discover youre allergic to your cat, there are other options than getting rid of your pet. Consider these strategies for reducing your symptoms.
Why Do Pet Allergies Cause You To Sneeze Anyway
First of all, its important to understand what causes your allergy flare-ups. Dr. Hong says that its actually a protein in the saliva, urine and feces of these pets that were allergic to. It gets on their fur and skin, she adds, explaining how it spreads so easily.
As for why some pets may bother you more than others, its because certain proteins last longer than others. Cat protein can last up to four months in your home environment, Dr. Hong explains, while dog dander can linger for shorter periods of time.
That doesnt mean a dog wont make you sneeze and wheeze. One of the reasons is that all of these proteins can linger in your home. They get attached to couches, any sort of cloth surfaces like rugs and carpets and other upholstery and they stain and linger there, she says.
Dr. Hong says one other thing to be aware of is that theres no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. Even hairless cats arent 100% hypoallergenic. Even if they dont shed fur and spread dander everywhere, theyre still shedding the protein were allergic to.
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How Much Do Otc Allergy Medications Cost
OTC allergy medications vary significantly in price, according to our analysis. Costs ranged from around 25 cents for an antihistamine tablet to nearly $20 for a months supply of nasal spray.
Our Best OTC Allergy Medications for Adults and Children ranking didnt include the vast number of generic versions with the same active ingredients as many brand name products. Generic products are held to the same FDA regulations as brand name products, making them just as effective as their brand name counterparts but at a lower price.
If you find that Claritin, for example, is an antihistamine that works for you, you may want to consider a generic version of loratadine as a more affordable alternative.
Cat Allergy Medication Prices
Inexpensive: These cat allergy medications cost between $0.10 and $0.50 per dose. This doesn’t mean the medication is less effective, just that it’s available in a generic form, which brings the cost down.
Mid-range: At the middle of the price spectrum, you can expect to pay between $0.50 and $1 per dose. This includes some more expensive generics, as well as brand-name drugs.
Expensive: The costliest cat allergy medications cost between $1 and $4 per dose. These are usually brand-name medications that are still under patent and therefore not available in more affordable forms.
If your cat is diagnosed with a flea allergy, it’s important that you keep up with preventative flea treatments that kill fleas before they can bite.
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Put The Humidifier Away
If youre allergic to dust mites, using a humidifier may make your allergy symptoms worse, especially if you use one in your bedroom. Humidity promotes the growth of dust mites, Dykewicz explains. The best thing for treating allergies from dust mites is dry air. So if you suspect a dust mite allergy, stop using your humidifier and see if your symptoms improve.
How Long Do Allergy Symptoms Last
Allergy symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to several months depending on whats causing them and how theyre treated. For some people, allergy symptoms only appear at certain times of the year but may last for a few months called seasonal allergies. For others, they can be year-round called perennial allergies. People with seasonal allergies usually refer to the times when they experience symptoms as allergy season.
Seasonal allergies tend to be most troublesome in the spring and fall. Depending on where in the U.S. you live, spring allergy season can start as early as February and last into the beginning of summer. On the flip side, fall allergy season usually lasts from August to October, with mid-September being the roughest time.
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The 7 Best Allergy Medicines And Why Theyre So Effective
Searching for the best allergy medicine on the market? Browse our top picks, and order OTC meds for allergy relief directly from Gopuff
Allergies are seldom easy to tame. Many allergens, from pollen to dust mites, are tough to avoid altogether, even if you stay indoors as much as possible during allergy season.
The good news? A massive variety of over-the-counter allergy medication is now readily available to help with everything from runny noses triggered by pet dander to sinus headaches caused by seasonal allergies.
To help you decide when you should use what, weâve tallied up some of the best allergy medicines on the market.
Causes Of Feline Allergies
Cats can have a range of different allergies, so it’s important that your cat be properly diagnosed by a vet and receive the relevant treatment.
Food: Although it isnt very common, cats can suffer from food allergies. The most common culprits are meat proteins, such as beef, chicken, turkey, and fish. Food allergies can present as gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, or as skin irritation and itchiness, so they’re not always simple to diagnose. Vets tend to recommend an elimination diet when they suspect food allergies, starting with a single protein the pet hasnt had before and adding more in gradually to see which ingredient or ingredients are causing issues. Once you know which foods your cat is allergic to, you can simply cut these foods out of your feline friend’s diet with no need for medication.
Contact: These allergies are caused by substances your cat comes into physical contact with. They generally show up in the form of itchiness and skin irritation. Common causes of contact allergies include flea medications, certain types of cat litter, or even some materials, such as wool. In most cases, you can identify the cause of the contact allergy and get rid of it from your cat’s environment. However, feline allergy meds are useful when you can’t find the source of the allergy or it isn’t something that’s possible to remove.
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The 6 Best Medications For Cat Allergies
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If you have cat allergies it doesnt mean you have to miss out on owning a cat or visiting friends with one. Cat allergies are fairly common and affect up to 25 percent of people who also have other types of allergies.
There are several known causes for allergies related to cats. The two most common causes involve the dander when fur is shed, and a glyco-protein that is secreted by the cats sebaceous glands, transmitted by their saliva, and transferred to the fur when grooming.
In this article we reviewed the best medications for cat allergy sufferers as well as their pros and cons.
Contents
Additional Treatments To Consider For Cat Allergies
- Allergy shots Cat lovers who suffer from allergies can benefit from weekly injections that increase in potency for six months, followed by 3-5 years of monthly maintenance injections. This method is very effective, but may cause skin reactions.
- Use an air purifier In rooms you share with your cat, clean the air with an air purifier that has a HEPA-certified filter. HEPA filters reduce airborne pet allergens by forcing air through a special filter that traps pet dander, as well as pollen, dust mites, and other allergens.
- Bathe your cat While bathing your cat in the tub sounds terrifying, wiping your furry friend down with a wet towel daily can help lower his allergens.
- Cat-free room Chose a room, preferably your bedroom to keep your cat out of. Dust and vacuum that room thoroughly and make an effort to keep your door closed.
- Try medication For those looking to make medicine a part of their daily routine, oral antihistamines can help keep cat allergies under control. Intranasal corticosteroid spray and antihistamine eye drops are also options that can help.
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The Causes Of Allergic Reactions To Cats
If asked point blank, most of us would assume that an allergic reaction to cats is caused by exposure to the fur. You might be surprised to learn that your body is usually having an adverse reaction to proteins that are found in a cats dander, saliva and urine. For the record, dander is tiny, dried flakes of skin that you can get on your hands when you pet a cat.
You can be exposed to these proteins either by petting a cat or having one lick your hand. When your body comes into contact with the proteins, your immune system will attack them just like it would any other unwelcome visitor such as a virus or bacteria. The symptoms that you experience are simply the result of your body reacting to a foreign substance.
It should be noted that people who experience allergies of any kind have over active or overly sensitive immune systems. This condition can cause your body to overreact to substances that would otherwise be harmless, like these proteins emitted by your kitty.
One other potential cause of cat allergies could be directly related to the fur. If your cat is spending a good deal of time outside, then it is possible that its fur is collecting pollen and other allergens that are then being tracked back into your house. So it may be possible that you are not actually allergic to your cat but that your cat is carrying other allergens around on its coat.
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Leave Your Shoes And Pollen At The Front Door
You can carry quite a bit of pollen into the house after youve been exposed to it by exercising or working outside. If you dont take off your shoes as soon as you come into the house, you may be tracking pollen into every room. The same goes for your clothes. Its not necessary for everyone, but if seasonal allergies like hay fever are particularly troublesome for you, change your clothes as soon as you come in and throw them in the wash to keep allergy symptoms from following you home, Dr. Dykewicz advises.
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