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Cat Allergy Symptoms and Solutions
Some people experience cat allergy symptoms when they are around cats. These include itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore or scratchy throat, coughing or difficulty breathing. Allergies can range from mild to severe and symptoms may change over time. People with cat allergies are sensitive to a protein secreted by the cat’s sebaceous glands. This allergen is found in the cat’s skin and saliva. Cat allergies are not caused by fur, as some people mistakenly believe. If you or someone in your household is allergic to cats, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot have a cat in your home. For one thing, many people find that over time, they become immune to their own cats. There are also allergy shots and medications that can help to eliminate cat allergy symptoms. 
Allergy symptoms are cumulative, so if the house is kept clean and free of other allergens, cat allergy symptoms may end up being mild and tolerable. Removing most, if not all, carpets and rugs from your home is another good strategy since these are areas where allergens tend to accumulate. Also, since allergens are airborne, having a HEPA filter or air purifier in the house may help to reduce symptoms of cat allergies. Another way to reduce allergens is to bathe the cat once or twice a month.
The type of cat you have is also an important factor in determining whether you or a family member will experience an allergic reaction. There are several breeds that are less likely to cause allergic reactions in people, either because they are "hypoallergenic" (they do not produce the protein that causes allergies) or they do not shed as much and therefore do not groom as much (which limits the amount of saliva they produce). These breeds include Siberian, Russian Blue, Sphynx, Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats. It also appears that people tend to be less allergic to female cats than to male cats. The color of the cat’s coat may also be a factor. In 2000, researchers at Long Island College Hospital conducted a study that suggested that light-colored cats may pose less of an allergy risk than dark-colored cats, though it isn’t clear why this would be the case. 
This Siberian kitten might be an excellent companion for someone who has suffered from allergies to cats.
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