Could I Be Allergic To My Cats, Or The Cat Litter?

Allyskits · Jul 27, 2019

I never had cats growing up, my mother and my older sister are very allergic to cats, but I always loved them and never seemed to have any allergic reactions whenever I was at a friends house or anywhere else with cats.
Now I have three cats, and I don’t get a runny nose or watery eyes or any of that. But whenever one off them scratches my (not aggressively but just little scratches from when they leap out my arms) the scratches always welt up and get really red all around the scratch.
So I guess I’m wondering if it’s possible to be allergic in a way that it only affects my skin?
Another thing I’ve considered is whether I’m allergic to their litter, which would be under their nails as well, also when I clean the litter box I usually sit down next to it and sometimes there is just a little of the litter they kicked out where I’m sitting, and always leave red marks on my skin that take really long to go away.

EmersonandEvie · Jul 27, 2019

It could be. Cat claws aren't the cleanest things ever (then again, neither are dog claws or human fingernails)! Do you sneeze or cough when scooping the litter?

kashmir64 · Jul 27, 2019

I have absolutely no allergy to cats or litter. However, the smallest scratch will swell up and look infected. Cat claws are not very clean. It's like a Komodo dragon bite. Neither of the two are venomous, but the bacteria will get you every time. That's why it's called cat scratch fever.

Jem · Jul 27, 2019

Cat scratches welt up on me too, and no allergies here either. But keep in mind that on top of the fact that cat's nails are bacteria ridden, they also do not give a clean cut. The irritation that comes from the added friction of a sharp but "not smooth" surface can cause more sensitive (not allergic - reactive) skin to welt/ raise/inflame more than others.

Kflowers · Jul 27, 2019

As soon as the cat is settled after scratching you, wash the scratch with soap and water. Use the antiseptic cream of your choice. If the scratch is rough and catches on things and cover with a band aid for a few hours. That will give it time to scab over. If the redness expands over a few hours and the scratch becomes hot to the touch you may want to talk to a nurse or your doctor about it.

I've had some seven inch long scratches ( I wouldn't let my cat chase the neighbor's dogs and it annoyed him.) Those were a little more difficult to deal with, but warm compresses took care of the redness. However, the redness stayed close to the scratch. I have had cats since childhood.

Allyskits · Jul 27, 2019

kashmir64 said:
I have absolutely no allergy to cats or litter. However, the smallest scratch will swell up and look infected. Cat claws are not very clean. It's like a Komodo dragon bite. Neither of the two are venomous, but the bacteria will get you every time. That's why it's called cat scratch fever.

I do realize that, but I’m also talking about scratches that don’t even break the skin. You know that condition where someone’s skins welts up like crazy when they lightly run anything slightly sharp along their skin. It like that but only with cat nails, I don’t have the same with dog nails, which I imagine aren’t much cleaner.

But more on the topic of the litter yesterday morning I cleaned it out and had my hand resting on the floor and there was a little bit of loose litter under my palm, the red marks from that are still there more than 12 hours later

Which this is what makes me think I’m allergic to the litter more than anything else.
I suppose it doesn’t matter that much though since I am actually on changing my litter system this month. Mostly I just find it interesting because I’ve never been allergic to anything in my life

Kflowers · Jul 27, 2019

That looks similar to when you smack your hand on the pavement or a wall. Though it looks like would-be scratches, with no broken skin, that pattern is usually, not always, light bruising.

Did you press down on the litter? Was it under your palm and on the floor when you pushed yourself up from the floor? That might cause the bruising.

VinceL · Jul 28, 2019

Long post....bear with me....I will get to the cat connection

Several years ago when we were at our condo in Florida, I had a horrible allergic reaction to something. I could hardly breathe. Went to the ER at the local hospital. The doctor said he saw many people every winter from out of state with the same symptoms. There is some tree that starts producing its pollen around the beginning of February (which is when we go to Florida) that is exclusive to Florida. Apparently, many out-of-staters have an allergic reaction.

Fastforward to the next year. I scheduled an appointment with an allergist right after we arrive in Florida. She ran the standard bank of allergy tests on me (the boards with a bunch of needles on them). That test confirmed my allergy to that tree pollen. But, interestingly enough, she told me that I have a moderate allergy to cats.

I told her that we have had indoor cats for 20+ years and that they sleep in bed with us. I didn't understand how I could be allergic. She said that some people are able to deal with allergies symptom-free. So, I guess I'm lucky.

But, in response to some previous posts, if I get a scratch from a cat's claw, I have no problems. But, with a cat bite, it swells up for a couple of hours and then recedes. It itches for a few days. I'm sure it is something in their saliva.

sivyaleah · Jul 29, 2019

VinceL said:
Long post....bear with me....I will get to the cat connection

Several years ago when we were at our condo in Florida, I had a horrible allergic reaction to something. I could hardly breathe. Went to the ER at the local hospital. The doctor said he saw many people every winter from out of state with the same symptoms. There is some tree that starts producing its pollen around the beginning of February (which is when we go to Florida) that is exclusive to Florida. Apparently, many out-of-staters have an allergic reaction.

Fastforward to the next year. I scheduled an appointment with an allergist right after we arrive in Florida. She ran the standard bank of allergy tests on me (the boards with a bunch of needles on them). That test confirmed my allergy to that tree pollen. But, interestingly enough, she told me that I have a moderate allergy to cats. I told her that we have had indoor cats for 20+ years and that they sleep in bed with us. I didn't understand how I could be allergic. She said that some people are able to deal with allergies symptom-free. So, I guess I'm lucky.

But, in response to some previous posts, if I get a scratch from a cat's claw, I have no problems. But, with a cat bite, it swells up for a couple of hours and then recedes. It itches for a few days. I'm sure it is something in their saliva.

Off topic just in case anyone needs to know: The tree is the Melaleuca
(Used to live in Florida)

As for the scratches - I believe all minor scratches will slightly puff up for a day or so, it's rather common and not much to worry about unless it starts to look infected. It happens frequently to me when I pick up Cocoa, her back claws sometimes rub against my chest area and leave a mark. Never had it break the skin bad enough to bleed but it will leave a slight raised area for a while.

As long as the scratch isn't overly swollen, warm/hot or getting worse you have nothing to worry about. If it gets worse, see a doctor.

VinceL · Jul 30, 2019

sivyaleah said:
Off topic just in case anyone needs to know: The tree is the Melaleuca
(Used to live in Florida)

Thanks for the reminder, sivyaleah.

I remembered it was an unusual name.

Kieka · Jul 30, 2019

Allyskits said:
I do realize that, but I’m also talking about scratches that don’t even break the skin. You know that condition where someone’s skins welts up like crazy when they lightly run anything slightly sharp along their skin. It like that but only with cat nails, I don’t have the same with dog nails, which I imagine aren’t much cleaner.

But more on the topic of the litter yesterday morning I cleaned it out and had my hand resting on the floor and there was a little bit of loose litter under my palm, the red marks from that are still there more than 12 hours later

Which this is what makes me think I’m allergic to the litter more than anything else.
I suppose it doesn’t matter that much though since I am actually on changing my litter system this month. Mostly I just find it interesting because I’ve never been allergic to anything in my life

I am allergic to pretty much every environmental allergen and that looks like what I can get resting my hand on something I am allergic to. You should have seen my legs after I sat in the grass at a park one day; did not realize I was more affected by that particular grass. You could see every single blade of grass down my entire leg. Although I do have more and less sensitive days and sometimes I get random spots which is a fun game of what did I touch. It if bothers you (and is still there) I'd try a Benadryl and see if it changes.

kashmir64 · Jul 30, 2019

Yes,

Kieka , Benadryl is a lifesaver. It does look like an allergic reaction on your hand. I would change the litter sooner than later. There may be something in this litter that you are allergic to.
I was accidentally tagged by my snake once (my fault), and although her venom is not supposed to affect humans (other than numbness), I was apparently allergic. I had a severe reaction and downed half a bottle of children's Benadryl and was saved from having to get an anti-venom shot that doesn't exist.

Kflowers · Jul 30, 2019

There are a lot of different kinds of litter. From the marks on your hand, I'm guessing you use clay could be clumping or not. You can try pine pellets (which I believe is horse bedding), wheat, newspaper which is made into pellets. You probably don't want to teach your cat to pee on flat pages. There a lots of threads about litter right here at this site.

Could I Be Allergic To My Cats, Or The Cat Litter?

Allyskits

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EmersonandEvie

Mom to Evie, Emerson and Dexter

kashmir64

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Jem

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Kflowers

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Allyskits

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Kflowers

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VinceL

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sivyaleah

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VinceL

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Kieka

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kashmir64

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Kflowers

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