Do you have cat allergies but love to spend time with cats? Are you constantly uncomfortable due to sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose when you’re around cats? If so, you’ve probably looked for a solution to the problem. While there are an assortment of treatments and medications designed to treat the symptoms, few address the allergy itself. But allergy immunotherapy does just that.
Instead of focusing on the symptoms, allergy immunotherapy, including cat allergy shots, focuses on the allergy. Over time, it reduces your body’s sensitivity to the allergen, allowing you to spend quality time with your furry friend. But do they actually work? Yes, they do, and this article explores how they do it!
Understanding Cat Allergies
A cat allergy is similar to any other allergy. Simply put, it’s a reaction in the body to a substance cats produce. For most people, the root cause of the allergy is the cat’s dander, not its fur, as most people believe.
The cat’s dander is the skin cells it sheds as it sloughs off dead skin cells to replace them with new ones. This dander can adhere to various surfaces, from furniture and bedding to clothing and surfaces. It can even become airborne, hovering in the air for long periods, even with limited airflow.
However, while dander is the most common culprit behind cat allergies, it isn’t the only thing that may trigger the reaction. For some, cat saliva might be the issue. Saliva can cling to various surfaces, from skin and clothing to carpets and furniture, sometimes even becoming airborne when dry.
This is why you may notice an allergic flare-up when a cat isn’t around, as its dander and saliva may still hover in the air or cling to various surfaces. When you come into contact with the allergen, whatever it might be, your body produces antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen. These antibodies serve a vital, protective role in our bodies, but they occasionally recognize substances as harmful, even though they’re not.
So, when you have a cat allergy and come into contact with the allergen, those antibodies communicate with specific cells that release chemicals, causing the allergic reaction. The symptoms you experience in the reaction can range from those as mild as a runny nose to those as severe as difficulty breathing.
What Are Cat Allergy Shots?
Cat allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy that helps “teach” your body not to be so reactive to exposure to the animal. Unlike other treatments that focus on the symptoms, cat allergy shots target the allergy itself.
To help your body become less sensitive to the allergen, cat allergy shots employ small doses of the cat’s dander or saliva. They administer minuscule amounts of the allergy under the skin via a subcutaneous injection.
Through repeated, consistent exposure and an increasing dose of the allergy, the treatment begins to reduce the production of the “blocking” antibody responsible for creating the symptoms. The process takes a while, usually requiring a long-term commitment to see the results.
Do Cat Allergy Shots Work?
Yes! Cat allergy shots for humans work! If you’re willing to commit to a long-term treatment plan that spans several years, you can begin working to reduce your cat allergy. Most people begin to notice the results within the first year, although the best results often appear during years two and three. The timeline to seeing results can vary, as everyone will handle the treatment differently.
How Effective Are Cat Allergy Shots?
Allergy immunotherapy, including cat allergy shots, has proven effective time and time again. The treatment has been around for over a century, so researchers and healthcare professionals have had ample time to gather information through numerous studies and trials.
Many studies document the remarkable efficacy of allergy immunotherapy in reducing sensitivity to various allergens, although many focus on the efficacy of the treatment as a whole over a particular allergen. For example, several research and clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of repeated subcutaneous injections in achieving an allergen-specific tolerance that remains after discontinuing the treatment.
The research is extensive, documenting the remarkable history of allergy immunotherapy and its powerful potential to help people with allergies find relief. So, if you’re searching for a solution to your cat allergies, allergy immunotherapy might be the perfect fit! And, since many health insurance policies cover the cost, minus copays and deductibles, you won’t have to worry about cat allergy shot costs!
Closing Thoughts
Cat allergy shots have proven to be a highly effective treatment option for those suffering from cat allergies. Although seeing the results requires long-term commitment, it has been shown to help reduce sensitivity to cat allergens and alleviate symptoms. So, if you’re a cat person seeking a solution to your pesky allergies, allergy immunotherapy might be what you’re looking for!
If you’re interested in learning more about cat allergy shots and whether they’re right for you, talk to your healthcare provider or allergist.