4. Cat Saliva
While most people haven’t heard of an allergy to cat saliva, they are pretty common. In fact, people who are allergic to animal dander are also likely to be allergic to animal saliva as well.
The saliva can enter the body through the nose, mouth, eyes and numerous other ways. Once inside, the body treats it as a toxin and starts to fight it. This leads to symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The eyes may water, the nose may run, and a cough may appear. As long as the person is still exposed to the allergen, the symptoms will continue. Medications can help some people, but it’s best to avoid the cause of the allergen.
Cats often lick people, objects, and their own bodies, so avoiding cat saliva can be difficult if you share a home with a car or visit the homes of cat owners. Not everyone responds well to allergy medication, and many continue to have symptoms even with treatment.