Where there is a cat there is dander. And high concentrations can create unhealthy air at best. Here are 3 health issues that can become a problem because of it.
Lung Damage---Particles like dander that are only about 2 microns in size are able to remain in the air for long periods of time. And once it does, it is very easily lifted into the air again by normal movements through your home.
Combine its tendency to remain airborne with its small size and you have thousands of particles that can easily slip past the hairs that line the lungs (cilia) and penetrate the inner most cavities of the lungs. Having the lungs continually absorb these particles can result in nodules. And even though nodules are fairly common and often benign, why risk it because of you pet?
More Harmful To Children---Younger bodies take in more air per pound than adults. So air that is polluted with dander is much more harmful because they inhale more of it. Respiratory systems that are not yet fully developed are much more susceptible to the dander.
And of course, children tend to want to cuddle and hold kitties right by their face and nose. Not only does this make the particles available for inhalation then, but because of its sticky nature, it can adhere to clothes, hair, and bedding so that additional particles are available to be inhaled.
Trigger for Allergies and Asthma---If you are allergic or asthmatic, just walking into a room where dander levels are high can cause immediate reactions that vary from itching eyes to constriction of the throat. The protein Fel 1 d is a potent allergen and is the source of the problem rather that hair or fur that owners sometimes suspect.
No one really knows for sure why some peoples' bodies go into overdrive when exposed to this irritant, but if your body is one of them, it's never pretty. Avoiding the trigger is still the most proactive and non-invasive way to effectively manage airborne triggered reactions. So if you can drastically reduce the amount of dander in the air, you and your family stand a better chance of staying healthy while enjoying your feline companion.
Using a vacuum cleaner and an air purifier that contain a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) filter can significantly reduce the amount of dander to which you are exposed. Even though these changes seem minor, they can make a huge difference in the risk dander poses to your health.
