Air Purifier Systems and Cat Allergies

Many of our customers who grew up with cats are surprised to find that they have trouble with them from an allergy perspective later on in life. They obtain cats, grow to love them, and then discover that their continually running noses may be symptomatic of a cat allergy. In a lot of cases, pet cats in our youth spent more time outside and less time lying all over the furniture than they do today. Houses weren’t so tightly built in previous decades and they breathed more. Today, especially in very urban areas, cats spend virtually their entire lives inside and their dead skin flakes and dander mount up in nooks and crannies over time. Can a portable room air purifier help with cat allergies? In many cases, the answer is a definite yes. However, even with a quality air purifier that will get the airborne particles, other steps should be taken before putting air purifiers into use.

First of all, it is important to clarify what the problem with a cat allergy is and what is causing it. The term “cat allergy” makes people think that they’re most likely allergic to the cat fur and dander floating around in the air. In fact, the problem arises from a protein that is found in the saliva, the dander or dead skin flakes, and the urine of a cat. As the fastidious cat cleans itself, it deposits the protein from its saliva onto its fur and the protein dries into a fine powder and rises into the air. The same thing happens when the urine dries or the dead skin flakes off. Tiny, nearly invisible particles from these processes can land on the lining the eyes or nose of the cat lover, or be inhaled directly into the lungs. An air purifier that can absorb these very small particles will help significantly. ClearFlite has had much customer satisfaction from cat owners in recent years that have used one or more of the Blueair air purifier models.

There is great variance in how humans react to these particles. Some people can have adverse reactions to cats within a few minutes of being around them. They clearly know that they have a cat allergy and must simply steer clear of cats. If you own a cat and are having a guest with a cat allergy, it would be most hospitable if you would run an air purifier on high for several hours before the guest arrives, particularly where the guest will sleep. Symptoms build over time for other people. It might be half a day or a day before they begin to feel itchy-eyed and have runny noses. The body tried to deal with the allergens as best it can. Some people are fine with cats for a period of time and then slowly develop problems with the airborne particles in weeks, months or years. It is a good idea to begin running an air purifier when you get the cat to keep airborne particles at a minimum, and to help prevent your reactions from getting worse.

As with seasonal allergies and pet allergies, it’s always good to approach the problem from a variety of fronts. Clean the air in your main living area and sleeping area with a high quality air purifier and change the filters appropriately. Wash your bedding weekly in hot water. If at all possible, keep the beloved cat or cats from lounging on the bedding and out of the bedroom if possible. Keep the house clean, especially the floors where because both people and animals bring particles in from the yard on their shoes and paws.

ClearFlite’s sales team members know a lot about cat allergies and will be glad to discuss a particular air purifier for your needs.  Air purifiers can be helpful but other measures are important as well.