What is cat dander and what does it look like?

Cat dander isn't something you can see with the naked eye. It's actually dead skin cells that cats shed constantly. These tiny flakes are shed from their skin, mixed with their saliva and oil secretions, and can float through the air.

What it looks like:

* Microscopically: Dander looks like tiny, clear, oval-shaped scales.

* Macroscopically: You can't see individual dander flakes. However, you can see the results of dander:

* Dust bunnies: Dander contributes to dust bunnies, which are accumulations of dust, hair, and other debris.

* White or grayish residue: Dander can leave a whitish or grayish residue on furniture, clothing, and other surfaces.

It's the proteins in dander that cause allergic reactions. These proteins attach to the flakes and can trigger allergic reactions like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes in sensitive individuals.

Important note: While "cat dander" is a commonly used term, it's important to remember that it's not just the skin cells that cause allergies. Cat saliva and urine also contain allergens.