Cat dander is a potent allergen that can cause allergies (allergic rhinitis) in sensitive people. It's essential to understand how long cat dander remains on surfaces so you can take steps to reduce exposure. Cat dander is lightweight and easily transmitted through the air, meaning it can linger for months if not properly disposed of. Because it's so light, dandruff can quickly be re-aerosolized, causing allergy symptoms and spreading to other surfaces.
Fabrics and upholstery are often magnets for cat dander due to their static properties. According to different researchers and allergists, pet dander usually stays in the house for 4 to 6 months or 20 to 30 weeks. Allergens will remain active for a long time, which implies that you could continue to experience an allergic reaction even after the pet is no longer around. Microscopic skin cell particles stick to hair, bags, clothes, sofas, carpets, beds, floors, and walls.
As humans are known as a means of transportation, pet dander can also be found in shopping malls, offices, schools, daycare centers, or restaurants where pets are not allowed. Pet dander and other pet allergens can stay in the air longer than other allergens. This is because they are microscopic and irregularly shaped, making it easy for them to be carried through the air and attached to furniture, bedding, and fabrics, and can even be carried inside and outside the house. Physical contact with pet dander can cause contact dermatitis, rash, hives, or cause asthma in a person.
If you can't avoid being around the animal, you can prevent pet dander from remaining by making sure that all furniture, rugs, and clothing are cleaned immediately and often after contact. In addition to dandruff, people who are allergic to pets can also be allergic to proteins found in pet saliva, urine, and feces. Pet dander is small and incredibly light; it will remain suspended in the air for hours at a time. Allergies caused by pet dander are considered an increasing public health problem as these rates increase.
When a person has a headache, rash, or frantic sneezing, the proteins in pet dander aggravate allergic reactions. Keeping your pets away from areas such as the bedroom can significantly reduce hours of contact with dander.