Allergic reaction to cats dander

[fergygreen]

I suffer severe reactions to cat dander but have come to realise that these reactions only occur when I have been in contact with ginger (orange) coloured cats. I am wondering if anyone else suffers from reactions to certain coloured cats.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Cat allergen, the allergy causing material from cats, is not cat hair, but rather a protein present in the dander and saliva of cats. These allergens become airborne as microscopic particles, which when inhaled into the nose or lungs can produce allergic symptoms.The color of the cat is due to its genes and if you are allergic to orange colored cats then it is not due to their color but due to their dander or saliva.

In case of cat allergy,avoidance of cats is the best preventive measure.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.Kind regards.

[ihj]

Hello Fergygreen,

I was wondering if you have the sneezing sensation but are unable to cmplete the sneeze. I've never owned a cat until last year when I adopted a kitty. She is one year old now and I am suffering what I believe to be some Allery symptoms but I am not able to complete the sneeze. I wonder if the cat has anything to do with it.

[fergygreen]

First I sneeze then get tightening in the throat and itching inside my mouth which develop into very frightening episodes. I do suffer from multi chemical sensitivity, which produses anaphylaxis reactions also and cats cause the same type of symptoms.

[ihj]

Thank you for your response. I wish you the best of luck.

ihj

[Tammy2009]

There is more variation between particular cats then between coat colour/type.  However, on average they is more dander in male cats (remember on average and how significant is still to be decided).  

Genetics of cats: orange tabby colour is sex linked and thus most of the organge tabbies around are males.  Therefore, it could be a consequence of them being males and have slightly higher dander when compared to other cats.  Also how many orange cats have you reacted too?  Two or ten?  Anything less than 5-6 cats I would probably blame on consequence.

[fergygreen]

I have only reacted to one ginger cat but have spoken to three other people who are allergic to ginger cats. Two of my sons have male cats and I can stay at their homes and not experience any reactions.