Contrary to popular belief, your cat's fur or hair isn't the real cause of your allergies. Although your cat's beautiful fur can be effective in transmitting your allergies, your body doesn't reject the hair itself. The secret that explains the allergy from your cat actually lies deeper.

The immune system is a large biological network of cells, tissues and organs that strive to protect us from infection. It is activated immediately after a foreign substance enters our body. To get rid of these unwanted substances, the immune system creates antibodies: proteins that locate, chase and conquer disease-carrying bodies, which we call pathogens.

Ideally, our immune system should react exclusively to pathogens, but some people have highly sensitive immune systems and tend to overreact to proteins that the natural immune system may find completely harmless. Contrary to popular belief, pet allergies are not caused by fur, but by dander: dead skin cells that fall from pets that usually find themselves stuck in their fur or stuck in urine or saliva.

When the cat is patted and cared for, or when it licks itself, the lint is released and flies through the air. Lint can now be inhaled by anyone in its vicinity, but it will only cause disruption in those unfortunate people with highly sensitive immune systems. In domestic cats, there is a single protein in the lint called Fel d I that is responsible for allergies. All cats, tamed and untamed, fall dander, but the problem is that there is a feld i even in wild cat dander.

In a 1990 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers tested the dander of eight species of cats: wild cat, cougar, serval, Siberian tiger, lion, tiger, snow leopard, and lynx or desert lynx. They then exposed 11 people who were allergic to tamed cats to the lint of these wild cats.

The results of the study were very interesting. Yes, people who are allergic to tamed cats also tend to be allergic to wild cats. This tendency was evident by increased levels of histamine, the chemical compound responsible for allergy symptoms, such as sneezing and coughing.

Although the allergic response was not very strong, due to a lack of data, the study is not entirely conclusive. However, there are cases that confirm this result. In Warsaw, Poland, an 8-year-old circus boy was taken to the nearest hospital after suffering a violent bout of wheezing and itching. Doctors found out that the boy was allergic to cats. According to his parents, the symptoms appeared a few minutes after the animals appeared on stage, and worsened when the lions began to be tamed.

About 10 percent of people are allergic to household pets. For this selfless section of people who love pet cats despite being allergic, there is good news and bad news about managing that allergy.

Contrary to popular belief, every cat produces Fel D 1, so no strain is completely hypoallergenic. However, uncastrated male cats are known to produce higher levels of the irritating protein Fel D1. Females and males of neutered cats produce less allergens. For this reason, researchers hypothesize that the Fel d1 protein may be bound in pheromone's signaling, but the purpose of the protein is unknown.

When it comes to hypoallergenic cat breeds, it's now easy to see the underlying mechanism. Instead of being a strain that doesn't produce allergens, it produces lower levels of allergens, and it doesn't have fur or hair to easily transport allergens to the air and environment, and to you at the end. According to PetMD, Siberian and Balinese breeds top the list of hypoallergenic cat breeds, since they produce lower levels of the protein Fel D1. This is followed by strains such as Sphynx and shorthair that produce less dander and fur to transport the protein of Fel D 1.

There are several preventive measures that can be taken to alleviate your sensitivity. Petfinder has helpfully compiled a comprehensive list of the most effective strategies. Here are the most important few of them:

Air Exile! Invest in a high-efficiency filter (HEPA) to stop particulate matter in the air. Remember that cat allergens can stay for long periods of time, so removing them from the air continuously will reduce your exposure to allergens.

Make your bedroom a cat-free area. That means washing the bedding, or better yet, replacing it. Hypoallergenic mattress covers and pillows are highly recommended, and can be purchased at most household stores.

Limit the cat's range of motion. Identify specific areas where your cat can move within your home. Keep your cat away from your workplaces by closing doors, for example. Be sure to provide plenty of warm and cozy places in areas that you lovecats.

Decorate wisely. Reducing upholstered furniture, carpets or rugs can significantly reduce the amount of allergen buildup in your home. Carpets, in particular, can accumulate 100 times more allergens than hard floors.

Brush your cat – outside! If you have a place outdoors, use this space to clean your cat. This way, allergen-laden lint can spread and volatilize, rather than accumulating in your home.

Limit contact with the litter bin. Do you remember how the allergenic protein is passed through the cat's urine? Stop bulldozing, and instead use a self-cleaning garbage bin.