This post is sponsored by Klarify

I’ve been very fortunate growing up and have never really had to think about allergies. I have a mild sun allergy but it’s something I can manage with creams and lotions. The only person with allergies in my family is my mother. My mother has always been allergic to cats. Even growing up in a household with cats she still developed a cat allergy. Her symptoms are generally classed as mild with watering eyes and sneezing. As soon as she leaves the room that cats are in the symptoms will stop.

Roughly 1 in 6 people will experience some sort of allergy in their lifetime. There are 1000’s of different types of allergies and the severity of them can vary greatly. A food allergy to something like nuts can have serious life threatening consequences if not detected and managed early. A very common allergy that people suffer with is pollen. Days when the pollen count is high people’s symptoms will be worse than low pollen count days. A pollen allergy can may also cause asthma signs and symptoms.

Recently I learned that household pet allergies affect 10% of the population with people being twice as likely to be allergic to cats than dogs. Allergies are often hereditary so there’s not much you can do about preventing them but it’s important that if you suspect you have an allergy to get it checked out no matter how mild the symptoms.

Allergy testing is very common so if you suspect you might be allergic to cats here is how to get a cat allergy test to rule out or confirm your suspicions.

Allergy Symptoms

Everyone reacts to allergies in different ways. No two people will always have the same combination of symptoms. This is why it’s so important to get an allergy checked out with a doctor as your symptoms might not necessarily be the cause of an allergy. Some of the most common cat allergy symptoms include:

• Coughing and Sneezing
• Chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Facial pain from nasal congestion
• Watery, red or itchy eyes
• Skin rash or hives

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. You might feel that your symptoms are so mild that they don’t need any intervention. Symptoms of cat allergies can be treated with medication like antihistamines and decongestants.

How are Allergies Tested?

Skin prick testing is the most common way to test for an allergy. It involves putting a drop of liquid onto your forearm that contains small amounts of substances that you may be allergic to. The skin is then pricked where the liquid has been dropped. If your arm comes up in a rash then this signifies an allergy.

The second way to test for allergies is via a blood test. When your body is having an allergic reaction the IgE antibodies tell other cells to release certain chemicals, such as histamine. These chemicals are what cause your body to have an allergic reaction. A total IgE test measures the level of IgE antibodies in response to individual allergens.

How to get a Cat Allergy Test

If you suspect you have a cat allergy the most important step is to get tested. Klarify currently offer a service where you can test your allergy at home. Here’s how the cat allergy test works:

Step 1. Order your allergy kit online via Klarify. The home allergy tests can test for 294 different allergens including things like dust mites, pollens, food allergens and other types of pet allergy.

Step 2. Everything you need to take your cat allergy test kit will arrive in one box. Your pack will contain:

• A welcome card
• Step-by-step guide
• Prepaid return envelope
• Lancing device
• Plaster
• Alcohol wipes
• Sample tube
• Transport tube

You will need to set aside 30 minutes to do your cat allergy test to ensure it is done correctly. There is also a helpful how-to video available on the Klarify website to help you with your at-home allergy test. The Klarify testing kit uses the blood test method to test for allergies so you will need to be comfortable with this.

Step 3. Once you have completed your test simply pop it into the prepaid envelope as detailed and post it back to Klarify.

Step 4. Don’t forget to activate your test online. You can activate your code using the link an unique code provided on your welcome card. Within two weeks of posting your sample you will receive your test results via email.

That’s it! It’s really quick and easy to test for an allergy at home with these quick and convenient testing kits.

If you have concerns about an allergy it is always important to consult your doctor and seek medical advice to rule out anything serious and to come up with a treatment plan.