Avoiding Contact

• The most important factor in cat allergies is exposure to the cat and its dander. Therefore, the person in the household suffering from the allergies should limit contact with the cat. For instance, the cat should be prohibited from entering the area where the person sleeps. The cat also can be encouraged to spend more time outdoors and less time in the house. House guests who own their own cats will carry the allergens in on their clothing and should be kept out of cat-free areas as well. If someone is allergic to cats, he should not have cat-care duties, such as cleaning the litter box, and should avoid touching, hugging and kissing the cat.
  
  

Preventive Measures

• In addition to avoiding contact, preventive measures also can be taken to reduce the cat allergens present in the house. Start by eliminating drapes and carpets, as these harbor large loads of dander. Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood floors if possible, and get rid of, or clean frequently, ceiling fans, which collect and then scatter allergens. As often as possible, clean carpets with a HEPA vacuum and wash down hard surfaces for which vacuuming is not effective. Purchase allergen-proof pillow and mattress cases, and wash bedding in hot water once a week to help remove the dander. Furthermore, you can buy Allerpet from your local veterinarian, which can be sprayed in the air and wiped on the cat to reduce the allergens.
  
  

Medications

• While you should take preventive measures first, you also can use medications to manage allergy symptoms that persist. Allergy shots are the most drastic options. They have a 65 percent success rate with cat allergies, which is better than the 20 percent rate for dog allergies. Yet, they don't always work and, even if they do, it can take years. Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can reduce allergy symptoms but sometimes cause grogginess. Lastly, steroids in the form of nose sprays often are prescribed by doctors for those who suffer from cat allergies. A combination of these medications combined with preventive measures may, in the end, be effective enough at controlling cat allergies that the cat can stay.