Immunotherapy involves getting allergy shots once or twice weekly for up to six months, then monthly boosters for three to five years. Some people develop complete immunity, while others continue to need shots, and still others find no relief at all.
If you or someone you live with is allergic to cats, you may think that you can never own one; however, this is far from the truth. The benefits of having a pet usually outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many people.
There are several ways to build immunity to cat allergies. 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.
A recent study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that researchers at HypoPet have made a vaccine that could help people who are allergic to cats. The vaccine, which is called HypoCat, is not for people but for cats. It goes after a certain protein, or allergen called Fel d 1, which cats make.
Yes, some air purifiers effectively reduce pet dander. The Best air purifiers for pet dander have a high-efficiency air filter. Specifically, those that are equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA filter. HEPA filters remove 99.7% of pollutants that are 0.3 microns in size.
Cat allergies are just as unpredictable as cats too. They can become milder over time and they can also become worse. Consider carefully your health and well-being and that of your family. If it's only a mild allergy, then nothing to worry about.
Experts unanimously agree that the best way to reduce allergens is to remove pets from the home. Even so, many people decide not to give away their pets even after an allergy is confirmed -- though it depends on how severe their symptoms are and, often, whether children are allergic.
Cats to avoid if you have allergies
High-shedding cat breeds tend to be worse for people with allergies because the allergens get trapped in their coats and spread wherever they lose their fur. Some of these high-shedders include the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric.
In general, for mild cases of cat allergies, most people experience symptom relief shortly after leaving an environment that contains cats. However, for those with more severe cat allergies, symptoms may last for several days.
Respiratory symptoms:
Cough • Wheezing (whistling sound) when breathing • Chest tightness • Shortness of breath In extreme pet allergy cases, a severe reaction can occur, known as anaphylaxis, in which the allergic individual may experience itching, hives, swelling, respiratory distress, shock, and even death.
Part of the reason may be that some of these allergens are super tough to neutralize or purge. The main cat allergen, a protein called “Fel d 1” that's found in feline saliva, urine, and gland secretions, can linger for six months after a cat vacates the premises.
Benadryl is one of the most popular antihistamine medications for people and pets. While it doesn't have the FDA stamp of approval in use with veterinarian medicine, it is still commonly used to treat allergies in cats and even recommended by many veterinarians.
Dogs and cats may be your best friends, but, if you have allergies, they could be your worst enemy, especially in the winter. As the weather gets colder and dogs and cats spend more time inside, the level of animal dander rises in the home. There are two major concerns: It's cold, and the house is closed up.
There are two available tests provided by a board-certified allergist. A skin prick test for cats is a simple test that involves scratching the skin with cat extract. 15 minutes later the pricked skin is checked for a reaction. The second testing option is a blood test called a specific IgE test for a cat allergy.
Building up an immunity to cat allergies is a gradual process that takes time and patience. It's important to continue exposure to the cat over a period of several months or even years to help your body build up a tolerance to the allergens.
Taking preventative measures in your home will go a long way in managing your allergy symptoms. Regularly grooming your cat, cleaning furniture and flooring, and replacing your air filter are all simple steps that you can take to reduce the amount of cat dander in your home.
You may consider using a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter. Air purifiers can provide additional pet dander removal in a single room or portion of the home. Use them in areas like the living room or in the bedroom of a family member with allergies.
Unfortunately, cat dander is so light and small that it easily becomes airborne. About 75 percent of cat dander particles are 5 to 10 microns in diameter – far smaller than the diameter of a single human hair. But about 25 percent of cat dander particles floating in the air are smaller than 2.5 microns.
Replace Your Air Filter. Air filters work to remove pollutants that affect your indoor air quality. Choosing a higher MERV rating will help ensure that smaller pollutants, like cat dander, are also captured.
The best way to lower the amount of cat dander and hair that's shed is to give your cat regular baths, Paolillo says. Regular bathing removes the saliva buildup from a cat's fur as well as dead hair, preventing it from falling off in your home.
Bathe your pet on a weekly basis to reduce the level of allergy-causing dander (shed old skin cells). Cats can get used to being bathed, but it's critical to only use products labeled for them; kittens may need a shampoo safe for kittens.
The Costs of Allergy Shots
The allergy serum will typically cost around $100, and the preparation/administration costs can range from $20-100 per visit. Since these shots are dosed weekly, the annual cost can range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year.