Risk of Cat Allergies High Among Asthma Sufferers

A new study presented at the ACAAI's annual meeting in Baltimore reveals that the number of asthma patients who are also allergic to cats has more than doubled over the last two decades.

Researchers led by Dr Leonard Bielory said that majority of the people were not allergic to cat's fur but instead its saliva, urine and dander. Around 10 percent of the population in the United States suffers from cat allergy, which is twice as common as dog allergies.

The researchers added that around 60 to 85 percent of asthma patients carry at least one allergy with ragweed, ryegrass and fungus allergies being the most common.

"From 1976 to 1994, positive allergy skin tests in people with asthma have increased significantly. Not only have we found the number of asthma sufferers allergic to cats has more than doubled, but those with asthma are also 32 percent more likely to be allergic to cats than those without asthma", Dr Bielory said.

Source: Medindia