skin allergy to cats?

Anyone know if it is possible to develop an allergy to cats over time? And if it can take the form of a slight, skin-based reaction? Over the past few days all of the tiny cat scratched on my body (and there are a ton; I have two kittens) have become red, inflamed and itchy. Agh!

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, it is clear that you are allergic to pets, your body has got sensitized to them and hence subsequent reactions to exposure are spontaneous and can be more severe. Cat allergen can stay in the air for longer time.

Best way of management would be avoid further exposure. You need to keep the cat away from you. As for symptoms are concerned anti histaminics can be taken whenever there is attack.

I suggest you to undergo skin allergy test. I suggest you to consult dermatologist for further management.  Take care and regards.

[msdeezee]

I went to Urgent Care because it was so alarmingly itchy and sudden and they DXed scabies, which I really honestly doubt (my live-in partner has no symptoms and the itchy scratch marks are only in places where my cats would have scratched me, and don't look typical). I treated with permethrin anyway just in case and am deep cleaning my house (which is fine because it would probably reduce allergens anyway). The doc also prescribed steroids and an antihistamine, which seems to help.

I am a diehard cat person and don't foresee myself distancing myself from my kitten. Since I only seem to have skin sensitivity, is there a danger in risking another itchy scratch attack? The only reason I got scratched so much in the first place was that my other kitten (who is now dead and gone due to a fatal illness) had such bad balance in his last few days that he dug his claws in whenever he got up on my lap and such.

Basically my question is whether an isolated attack like that indicates the possibility of developing more severe systemic symptoms if I continue exposure.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, there wont be severe reaction and you need to take a primary care of scratch/wound which includes washing the area thoroughly, applying the antiseptic etc. Regards.