What Is Cat Dander?

Most people believe cat hair is the source of allergies, but the cause is dander, the dead skin cells shed during a cat's normal skin cell growth cycle. Cat dander is not the root of a cat allergy problem, however; it's merely the vehicle the cat allergen uses for transportation.

  1. Identification

    • Coming from the Latin term "felis domestica," cat dander is typically referred to as Fel D1.

    Significance

    • Fel D 1 is the most significant of 12 separate cat-allergen proteins. This is the allergen that affects most individuals who are allergic to cats.

    Function

    • The biological function of Fel D 1 in cats is unknown, but what is known is that cats are glued to the stuff. It's in their sebaceous glands, salivary glands, lachrymal glands, anal glands, breast milk, urine, feces and blood.

    Predominance

    • Interestingly, some cats yield more Fel D1 than others. Male cats, whole (unaltered) cats and specific breeds can produce more of the allergen than others.

    Reaction

    • When the allergen enters the body, either by nose or mouth, peoples' immune systems may react violently by producing an inflammatory chemical called histamine, which causes sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, and sinus problems.