Move over, Rover. Cats are the most popular pet in America. Not only are felines found in a whopping one-third of households, but cats are also the leading cause of pet allergies in the U.S.

Contrary to popular belief, fur does not actually cause cat allergies. It is cat dander and saliva that trigger symptoms. Within seconds to minutes of exposure sneezing may start, followed by a sudden runny nose, even itchy, watery eyes. The longer you are exposed, the worse your symptoms usually get, including ongoing nasal stuffiness, sinus pressure over the eyes or in the cheeks and an itchy throat.

So, avoiding cats altogether is the best way to minimize symptoms; but even then there are no guarantees. There are eighty-five million cats in U.S. homes and nearly as many strays. So just being out in public may expose you to enough cat allergens to develop an allergy and trigger symptoms.

But it's not all bad news - if you enjoy spending time around cats, talk with your doctor. Treatment can help relieve allergy symptoms and might help you enjoy Fluffy’s company for years to come.

For Allergy relief plus a powerful decongestant, ask for Zyrtec-D behind the Pharmacy Counter.