Yes, Vitamin C may help with cat allergies because it acts as a natural antihistamine, reducing the body's histamine release and potentially easing symptoms like sneezing and runny nose, but it's a supportive measure, not a cure, and you should consult a doctor before taking high doses. It works by lowering histamine levels, potentially decreasing inflammation, and can be found in foods or supplements, with studies showing benefits with doses like 2,000mg/day alongside exercise for symptom relief.
Support Immunity with Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports mast cell stability. Citrus, berries, bell peppers, and broccoli contribute, or use a buffered supplement within labeled limits. As part of a treatment for cat allergies, C can partner with avoidance steps and prescribed sprays from your doctor.
"Vitamin C has been shown to act as a natural antihistamine by directly inhibiting the inflammatory cells that release histamine," Dr. Galowitz says. "Additionally, it can help break down histamine that has already been released, providing allergy symptom relief.
When the ascorbic acid level falls below 0.7 mg/100 ml, there is a highly significant increase in the blood histamine level. Oral administration of ascorbic acid (1 g daily for 3 days) to 11 selected volunteers resulted in a reduction of the blood histamine level in every instance.
Natural Treatments for Cat Allergy Relief: What Works?
Some will naturally develop a tolerance over time. However, most people won't develop an immunity on their own. Allergy treatments such as immunotherapy can retrain their immune system to tolerate cat dander.
While no single "most powerful" natural antihistamine is definitively crowned, Quercetin is widely considered the top contender, acting by stabilizing mast cells to prevent histamine release, with Vitamin C and Stinging Nettle also being very effective natural options for allergy relief, often used in combination with Quercetin in supplements. Other beneficial natural remedies include probiotics, bromelain (pineapple), ginger, and turmeric for reducing inflammation and symptoms.
15 This postulates that vitamin C may be beneficial in reducing symptoms from high dietary histamine found in fermented products or crustaceans which may aggravate allergy symptoms.
Many people believe they experience a “histamine dump.” This phenomenon usually happens at night when your body releases a sudden surge of histamine. A histamine dump can interrupt your sleep and cause headaches, flushing, itching, anxiety, and a racing heart.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient, but you can get too much of it. If you're an adult, limit yourself to no more than 2,000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C a day. The recommended upper limit for children varies by age.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a very common and well-known nutrient to strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation. Vitamin C is also required to produce the necessary enzymes for the process of histamine breakdown, making it a vital anti-histamine nutrient.
Vitamin C supplementation is contraindicated in blood disorders like thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, sickle cell disease, and hemochromatosis. Avoid taking supplements immediately before or following angioplasty.
According to the Healthline website, the minimum amount of Vitamin C to help bolster your immune system depends on age, sex, and other factors. However, and depending on the severity of your allergies, a dose between 500 to 5000 mg, divided during the day, may be required.
Vitamin C
A 2023 review of studies showed that vitamin C can have anti-allergy effects and can benefit allergic and immune-system-related conditions. This is because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of vitamin C.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often going undetected until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), which damages organs without obvious signs until blindness or seizures occur, notes Muirfield Animal Hospital, Pet Health Network, www.springwoodvets.com.au, Close Veterinary Clinic, Killarney Animal Hospital, Physicians Mutual Insurance, Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, Nimbus Pet Hospital, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Covetrus North America, ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetCareRx. Other serious conditions include Hyperthyroidism, Heart Disease (like HCM), and Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis).
Tips to Reduce Accumulation of Pet Dander in the House
Excess histamine can cause a variety of different symptoms which very often mimic allergic reactions. The most common symptoms are rashes (e.g. hives), itching, flushing, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, breathlessness, palpitations, migraines, dizziness, anxiety/panic, joint aches and nasal congestion.
Histamine levels are another potent downstream target. Allergic symptoms exacerbate during nighttime and plasma histamine levels exhibit nocturnal peaks. In mastocytosis patients, peak levels of plasma histamine were observed in the early morning with the lowest in the afternoon (19).
Medical Conditions
Autoimmune disorders affect immune system function, which might lead to more histamine being released (11). Another condition causing elevated histamine levels is mastocytosis, rare disorder involving abnormal mast cell growth—the cells that make and store histamine (12).
When the ascorbic acid level falls below 0.7 mg/100 ml, there is a highly significant increase in the blood histamine level. Oral administration of ascorbic acid (1 g daily for 3 days) to 11 selected volunteers resulted in a reduction of the blood histamine level in every instance.
A natural antihistamine for cat allergy is quercetin, a plant pigment found in many fruits and vegetables. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties that can help reduce allergy symptoms. You can find it in foods like apples, berries, and leafy greens, or take it as a supplement.
What are the symptoms of histamine intolerance?
Ginger: A Natural Antihistamine
It helps block histamine release while supporting the immune system. To harness its benefits, prepare ginger tea by steeping fresh slices in hot water for 3–5 minutes. This simple drink can soothe allergy symptoms like congestion and throat irritation.
Hydroxyzine is used to help control anxiety and tension caused by nervous and emotional conditions. It can also be used to help control anxiety and produce sleep before surgery. This medicine is also used to relieve symptoms of allergic conditions (eg, chronic urticaria and atopic and contact dermatoses).
These are some examples of prescription allergy medicines: