Cats are fluffy, adorable, and make great companions. Unfortunately, many people suffer from allergies to these furry friends. Cats have a lot of dander that can cause an allergic reaction in people and can prevent people with allergies from having cats as pets. If you are allergic to cats, you are probably wondering, “what is the best antihistamine for cat allergies?”
Cat Allergy Symptoms
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology lists a variety of symptoms that can be caused by a cat allergy or pet allergy in general, such as:
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in chest
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery, or red eyes
- Hives or skin rash
If you experience any of these symptoms when you have been around cats or other animals, you may have a pet allergy. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to treat cat allergies and other pet allergies.
How To Treat Cat Allergies
The best course of treatment for pet allergies can depend on the severity of a person’s allergic reaction. Those who have pet allergies on the mild side can often rely on over-the-counter antihistamines as the first line of defense against bothersome symptoms. There are a variety of different antihistamines on the market.
What Is The Best Antihistamine for Cat Allergies?
Antihistamines are fast-acting options for relieving allergy symptoms and are available over-the-counter at your local retail store. They work by blocking histamine from attaching to your immune cells, which otherwise would trigger immune response symptoms. Older antihistamines, referred to as first-generation antihistamine drugs, are more likely to cause side effects like drowsiness. The best-known first-generation antihistamine is Benadryl (diphenhydramine). However, in the 1980s, the second generation of antihistamines was developed. These were developed to cause fewer side effects so you can take them during the day without having to worry about becoming drowsy during your workday. All of these will work to decrease allergy symptoms, however, some patients report certain ones working better than others. You may need to try a few before you find the one that works the best for your symptoms.
Claritin (loratadine)
Claritin is an antihistamine with a dose of 10mg taken orally one time per day and provides 24 hours of relief from cat allergies and other pet allergies.
Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Zyrtec is available in 5mg or 10mg tablets. For those who struggle with swallowing pills, it also comes in a chewable form or a syrup. Zyrtec is a popular allergy medications because it is effective for 24-hours, effective, and safe for patients 6 years and older.
Allegra (fexofenadine)
Allegra is taken either once per day at 180 mg per day or 60mg twice per day. The 180mg version offers 24 hours relief. It is quite effective and fast-acting.
Xyzal (levocetirizine)
Xyzal is available in 5mg tablets or an oral solution of 2.5mg per 5ml. Some people even take this antihistamine at night to help them get a good night’s sleep without being bothered by allergies.
How Can I Get Discounts On Allergy Medications?
For allergy sufferers, purchasing antihistamines regularly can get expensive. Next time you visit a retail store to stock up, check out the discount drug card from Easy Drug Card to get your medication at a lower price. Easy Drug Card works at pharmacies all over the country to get you up to 80% savings on your prescriptions. Simply download your card for free and start saving today!
