Immunotherapy can assist in gradually establishing tolerance to one or more cat allergens for cat owners with a cat allergy.
There are various methods for developing immunity to cat allergies. Some people will gradually build up tolerance on their own.
However, the majority of people won’t naturally build up immunity. They can retrain their immune systems to tolerate cat dander with allergy therapies like immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy, also known as Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy (AIT), is frequently employed when more straightforward treatments are ineffective.
It entails introducing purified concentrations of the allergen—the animal protein that triggers an allergic reaction—into the body through an injection, a series of allergy shots, or a tablet taken under the tongue.
The goal is to gradually increase the person’s tolerance for bigger presentations of the allergen by conditioning or desensitizing the immune system.
Allergy immunotherapy requires patience because it takes 90 to 180 days before symptoms of improvement from allergies become apparent.
The duration suggests that immunotherapy can be a successful long-term treatment rather than a temporary remedy.
For three to five years, maintenance shots are required every four weeks.
However, it has a high proportional efficacy rate of about 90%.
AIT’s effectiveness may also wane with time, as some patients must visit clinics again for booster shots since their allergy symptoms come back.
While some people no longer require shots, others develop complete immunity.
What Allergy-Affected Cats Sound Like?
An allergy is when your cat’s immune system overreacts to an allergen, which causes the body to produce excessive amounts of certain antibodies and, eventually, symptoms (e.g., a food allergy or hay fever).
An allergen is a typically harmless substance that causes allergic cats’ immune systems to react abnormally to it (e.g., chicken or a type of grass pollen).
Some cats who don’t exhibit any symptoms may be tolerating many common allergies.
There is typically a limit that, when reached, will result in the manifestation of symptoms. The allergy threshold refers to this.
Depending on the cat, one may achieve this threshold more or less rapidly. One allergen, such as contact with dust mites or dandelions, may be sufficient for some cats to cross their threshold.
Another cat might experience symptoms as a result of many allergens acting together.
To limit your cat’s exposure to allergens, you must first determine which of them affects it.
Once you ascertain the allergen, you will lessen symptoms and reduce flare-ups by keeping your cat as close to its unique threshold as possible.
It’s also crucial to realize that cats with allergies will always be more likely to experience flare-ups since they will be more sensitive to triggers than cats without allergies.
Reasons for the High Number of Humans Allergic to Cats
According to studies, at least 10% of people are somewhat sensitive to cats.
Remember that your cat may indirectly cause your allergies to flare up even if you don’t have a true cat allergy.
Outside, cats may carry allergens, including pollen, and others, in their fur.
Cat allergic reactions in many humans are traceable to an allergen known as Fel-D 1. Up to 95% of people allergic to cats, experience allergic reactions when exposed to the main cat allergen, Fel d1.
Cats’ saliva, skin secretions, and sebaceous (skin) glands are where it is mostly made.
These allergens are transferred to a cat’s skin and hair during grooming, where they can then be spread throughout the house on dander (dried skin flakes) and hair.
The allergen Fel-D1 may be present in significant quantities in household dust.
Fel d1 spreads easily via the air and lingers in the environment. It can also be carried by clothing to places without cats (such as car interiors, classrooms, shopping centers, etc.).
The allergic reaction starts when Fel-d-1 binds to immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the body of a sensitized person, setting off the allergic reaction.
No matter the breed, getting a cat is not a good idea if you or another family member is allergic to them.
Early pet exposure lowers children’s allergy risk. It belongs to a concept known as the “hygiene hypothesis,” which has been around for a while.
There is growing evidence to support this. According to some pediatric allergy specialists, a child’s early exposure to dogs may dramatically lessen the risk.
Cat Allergies Dangerous
The hallmarks of cat allergies include respiratory symptoms, which frequently coexist with skin symptoms like dermatitis.
The most common type of dermatitis concerning allergens is contact dermatitis.
For people with allergies, the affectionate behaviours of cats, such as licking and rubbing against their owners, can be quite harmful.
A mild allergic reaction that causes harmless discomfort can develop into a cat allergy that causes significant and bothersome skin inflammation.
Such inflammation could result in ulcers, blisters, erythema, bubbles, and so forth.
Fortunately, severe allergic reactions are not very common.
An allergist (or dermatologist) is the best specialist to explain how to cope with it and resolve this unpleasant issue if you suffer from such symptoms after coming into contact with a cat.
List of Cat Allergies
When cats have allergies, they might exhibit a variety of symptoms. A variety of common cat allergies can be relieved by knowing the signs to check for.
Environmental (house, inhalant dust, grass, weeds, tree pollen, and mold), food, skin (direct contacts), and insect allergies are the most prevalent on the list (fleas, mites, and lice).
Each has particular characteristics, bodily expressions, and signals that cats frequently exhibit.
Symptoms of nasal passage irritation and allergy brought on by inhalants
- Sneezing, coughing, and wheezing are symptoms of an allergic reaction in cats.
- Running nose
- Red, itchy, or watery eyes.
- Nasal obstruction
- If your cat has an itchy nose, gagging mouth, or throat, it may have eaten something that upsets its system. Your cat’s frequent gagging may be an indication of allergies.
Running and postnasal drip are additional symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- Pain and pressure on the face
- Infected ears
- Blue-colored skin that is swollen beneath your eyes
- Stomach discomfort
You can also encounter the following if your pet allergy aggravates your asthma:
- Breathing issues
- A tight or painful chest
- Exhaling while whistling
- Sleeping difficulties are brought on by coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
Skin issues you may experience when you have direct contact with a pet that causes allergies can result in allergic dermatitis, which can manifest as the following signs and symptoms:
- Red, raised skin lesions (hives)
- Skin that is swollen, red, or covered in the crust.
- Eczema
- Hair loss, skin inflammation
- Dry skin
To help rule out other common causes for both of these indicators, cats with digestive signs or respiratory symptoms may need additional testing first, such as blood tests, stool analyses, or x-rays.
A cat with skin problems may be allergic to food, fleas, their environment, something in it, or a combination of these things.
Because of this, it’s crucial first to rule out other frequent causes of skin issues, such as infections (both bacterial and fungal) and ectoparasites (fleas, mites, and lice).
Food Intolerances
Food allergies are common, particularly in cats who have skin issues.
Only by undertaking a food trial for roughly two months and seeing whether there is a discernible improvement can a food allergy be identified.
The goal of the feeding experiment is to discover and steer clear of the problematic meals, which will ultimately stop the affected feline from receiving medication.
An allergic cat may experience symptoms on their skin, digestive system, or both.
Cat Allergy Meds
Over-the-counter and prescription medications have produced fantastic results for some people while doing nothing for others.
Don’t forget to inform your doctor or allergist about your treatment regimen so they can properly track your progress.
Typical over-the-counter remedies for cat allergies include:
- Antihistamines help decrease itching, sneezing, and runny noses by lowering the synthesis of an immune system chemical involved in an allergic reaction.
Mast cell stabilizers like olopatadine and antihistamine brands can help relieve the discomfort associated with allergy symptoms.
- Corticosteroids administered as a nasal spray can decrease inflammation and manage hay fever symptoms.
These medications include triamcinolone brands to combat various allergic disorders.
In comparison to oral corticosteroids, nasal corticosteroids offer a low dose of the medication and carry a significantly lower risk of side effects.
- Decongestants can aid in the reduction of bloated nasal tissue and facilitate nasal breathing. Some over-the-counter allergy pills include a decongestant and an antihistamine.
If you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or cardiovascular disease, you shouldn’t take oral decongestants because they can raise blood pressure. If you want to take a decongestant safely, consult your doctor.
Nasal sprays of over-the-counter decongestants have been shown to temporarily lessen allergy symptoms. It can cause congestion if you use a decongestant spray for more than three days in a row.
- Leukotriene modifiers prevent some immune system chemicals from working. If corticosteroid nasal sprays or antihistamines are unsuitable for you, your doctor may recommend the montelukast prescription tablet.
Montelukast side effects could include fever, headache, and upper respiratory infection. Less frequent adverse effects include changes in behaviour or mood, such as anxiety or depression.
Some further hopeful ones are:
- Omega-3 fatty acids (yep, they’re good for you too!
- Quercitin, a vitamin C family member, and other antioxidants
- Stinging weed (a natural antihistamine)
The Butterbur (which may block histamine and other inflammatory messengers)
How Treat Cat Allergies
Since there is currently no treatment for cat allergies, those who suffer from them will always have to live with them.
Cat allergies can be treated using various non-invasive and slightly invasive techniques.
Before and during an attack, the symptoms of allergies can be lessened using the following techniques:
- Antihistamines lessen the effects of histamines on the body and reduce allergy symptoms for the person taking them.
- Decongestants: If you experience nasal congestion after breathing near a cat, you might want to consider using a decongestant to alleviate your symptoms.
- Nasal steroid sprays: Commonly sold over-the-counter under the names Nasacort Allergy 24HR, Flonase, and Rhinocort, these sprays are a standard form of allergy treatment.
However, it is advised against self-medicating without first speaking with your doctor.
Because these medications don’t address the underlying allergy, their effects may be transient.
Since medications only work to lessen the effects of an allergic reaction, the immune system will continue to overreact even after the drug has left the body.
Cat Allergy Kit and Cost
This kit serves as a straightforward at-home test to determine your sensitivity to the allergens present in cat skin and hair.
Additionally, you can use a finger-prick blood sample in an allergy test that you can do at home. The focus is antibodies in the blood that react highly to pet-related allergens.
The Cat Allergy Test counts the immunoglobin antibodies in your blood that are specific to cat hair. From this, you can learn if you are allergic or sensitive to cat dander.
The most frequent cause of animal allergies is cats. You may experience skin complaints like itching and redness, respiratory issues like coughing, and an increased risk of asthma as part of the irritating symptoms of a cat hair allergy.
The most common kind of pet allergy is a cat allergy. You may have a cat allergy if symptoms worsen after contact with a cat or an area where one has recently been.
Itching, rashes, eczema, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing are some of the symptoms of cat allergies.
The price of cat allergy kits varies depending on where you get them, their brand, and their quality. The average cost is in the $38–$80 range.
Are Cat Allergies and Dog Allergies the Same?
No, cat allergies are more prevalent and severe than dog allergies because cat dander is a little more potent.
The potency results from a tiny, sticky protein called Fel de 1 that may linger in the air for hours and is present in cat dander. More people have cat allergies due to cat dander’s increased strength.
Dog allergies are less prevalent than cat allergies, which are frequently more severe. Cats frequently lick and groom themselves.
When inhaled, the saliva that builds up on their fur might dry out and become airborne, triggering allergic reactions.
Instead of how much dander the animal sheds, the protein molecule’s size and form make cat allergies more prevalent.
As a result, if you are sensitive to cats, you might not be bothered by dogs. Whether your dog or cat has long or short fur or if they are a different breed, it doesn’t matter.
The proteins cause cat allergies in the animal’s saliva, urine, and dander (dried flakes of skin).
One visit to the same house can cause an asthma attack, sending the sufferer to the emergency room for care.
Conclusion
Since allergy symptoms will persist until the cat is evacuated, there is no “quick remedy” for the issue. Numerous symptoms will even persist long after the cat has been removed.
Unfortunately, unless your immune system becomes desensitized to an allergy, you cannot repeatedly expose it to it.
Even pharmacological intervention is only partially effective in treating allergies.
However, there is still hope for those who love cats but are allergic to them, because allergic cat parents can achieve a state of immunological tolerance, or at the very least, lessen the severity of their allergy.