For some reason, I don't have much of a problem with cat hair, like it just causes itchiness after several hours, but if a cat licks me, I quickly break out in hives.
this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2025
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My girlfriend has the same issue. Her doctor told her she was allergic specifically to cat saliva, and since they groom themselves with their tongues their fur has little bits of saliva on them, which triggers a less intense reaction than direct cat licks.
That makes sense, it’s usually not the hairs that people are allergic to. It’s a protein in their saliva, urine and skin flakes. Hairs could be covered with saliva and/or skin flakes, so in that sense I guess people might still react to the hairs, but a naked cat can trigger an allergic reaction too.
Several years ago I had no idea I had developed a cat allergy. The way I found out? Stopped by the apartment before a first date for a woman who had over a dozen cats. Didn't stay there long before realizing my eyes were swelling shut lol. Let's just say I took that as a sign to:
- Avoid being inducted into crazy cat lady harem
- Begin allergy shots.
I struggle with this and yet will still accept face snuggles with my kitty.
Do antihistamines work?
Man, the struggle is real! I often wonder is this just like...a E Asian thing or what? Cause SE Asians can chill with tigers and not have allergic reactions.
I know Germany-Germans who are allergic to cat hair. Though that doesn't mean that east asians can't have a higher prevalence than europeans.
So many people I have known over my lifetime have no pets at all, because a majority of their family is allergic to them. This is for sure a biased statement, but I swear to god it's been the norm.
Thoomp