About the cat dander allergen
The cat dander allergen refers to the small flakes of skin that cats can shed from their fur. These particles can be a common cause of allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. When a person with an allergy comes into contact with cat dander, their immune system can react by producing antibodies and histamines, which can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. It is important to note that cat dander in itself is not dangerous or harmful, but it can cause discomfort to people with cat allergies.
The allergen in cat dander is a protein called Fel d 1. It is a common allergen found in the cat's saliva, urine and glands that secrete sebum, and which can then stick to the cat's fur. When the cat licks itself, the protein spreads on the fur and can then fly around in the air and cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it.
How can I find out if I am allergic to cat dander?
IgE antibodies are a type of antibody produced by the immune system in response to exposure to an allergen, such as cat dander. If you are allergic to cat dander, the immune system will produce IgE antibodies against the allergen.
To find out if you are allergic to cat dander, an allergy test can be performed. A common type of allergy test is a blood test that measures the levels of IgE antibodies anti-cat dander in your blood. If the levels of IgE antibodies are high, it may indicate that you are allergic to cat dander.
However, it is important to note that a positive IgE test does not always mean that you will experience symptoms of an allergic reaction when you are around cats or cat dander. Other factors, such as your health, your level of exposure and your individual sensitivities, can affect if and when an allergic reaction occurs. Therefore, it is important to discuss your symptoms and allergy test results with a doctor to get a more comprehensive assessment of your allergic health.