Allergic reactions to cats can range from inflammation of the nose and eyes to asthma attacks.

Although the most effective treatment is removal of the pet, recent scientific studies have shown that steps can be taken in homes with cats to significantly decrease ones exposure to cat allergen.

Jutta Harvey, nurse manager at the Allergy Clinic of Bermuda, says she often stops short of telling someone with a cat allergy to get rid of the cat "because they'll probably get rid of me first!'' But cat allergy is serious enough that, as a compromise, she strongly advises that cats not be allowed in the bedroom.

What is cat allergen? Cat allergen, the allergy-causing material from cats, is not actually cat hair but instead a protein present in the dander and saliva of cats. The allergens become airborne as microscopic particles which, when inhaled into the nose or lungs, can produce allergic symptoms.

Although individual cats may produce more or less allergen, there is no relationship between the pet's hair length and allergen production. There is also no such thing as a non-allergenic breed.

Cat dander is present to the greatest extent in homes with cats, but has also been found in homes where cats have never been present and in offices and public spaces where animals are not allowed. Cat allergen is particular sticky and is carried on clothing. It is almost impossible not to be exposed to some level of cat allergen. Of course, the levels of exposure will be much higher where cats are present and these levels are more likely to cause allergy symptoms.

How do you reduce exposure to cat allergen? The best way to reduce exposure to cat allergen is to find a new home for the pet. If this is unacceptable, the cat should be strictly kept out of the allergic patient's bedroom.

*** The bedroom Soft furnishings such as carpets, upholstered furniture and mattresses will hold cat allergen.

Relief from cat allergies And it will hold the allergen even after a cat has been removed from the home or banished from the bedroom. This allergen will become airborne if the soft material is disturbed.

It can take as long as 20 weeks for cat allergen in carpets to decrease to levels found in homes without a cat and years for cat allergen in mattresses to do so. Removal of the bedroom carpet and encasing of the mattress will eliminate continued exposure to these reservoirs of allergen.

The carpet If carpet cannot be removed, it should be thoroughly vacuumed and then sprayed with a solution to help denature the remaining allergen. When carpet containing cat allergen is vacuumed, the tiny allergen particles pass through the standard bags of many vacuum cleaners and are blown out the exhaust and into the air. Vacuum cleaners shown to have high allergen containment should be used.

Vent Filters If a cat is present indoors, ventilation of the house by opening windows and using exhaust fans will decrease airborne cat allergen. Cat allergen particles are particularly small (one tenth the size of dust mite allergen) and, therefore, remain airborne for prolonged periods of time. If the cat is limited to a single area of the house, keep in mind that allergen can be spread by air flowing through a duct system.

Allergen can be trapped from flowing through the duct system by using efficient vent and furnace filters. Finally, walls should be cleaned as cat allergen also adheres to vertical surfaces.

Air Filters When windows are closed, high efficiency cleaners do a good job of removing cat allergy from the air. Car should be taken that the exhaust from the air cleaner is not directed towards carpets or soft furnishings so as not to disturb allergens that may have settled there.

Cleaning Your Pet Studies have demonstrated that washing cats with water does remove much of the surface allergen. However, it is not clear if this reduction persists long enough to reduce symptoms.