Would allergy shots eliminate my allergic reactions to cats?
I’ve had allergy problems my whole life, but I have the worst reactions around cats. Would allergy shots only lessen the symptoms or would they eliminate my reactions all together?
Allergy Immunotherapy (allergy shots) is a treatment option that helps to re-train your immune system so that you won’t over-react to benign substances like the dander from cat hair. It’s most likely that you are allergic to one of several proteins that are secreted by sebaceous and salivary glands from cats (which are then spread all over the cat’s fur by licking).
Clinical studies have shown that a proper course of treatment with allergy shots can result in significant relief in as little as 3 months, but a longer duration of treatment is generally required to develop a tolerance to the allergen (in this case, cats). In some people, allergy shots that are are maintained for 3-5 years appears to offer long-term relief. In fact, allergy shots are the only allergy treatment available that has the potential to cure your allergy since it targets the basic allergic mechanism of your disease. Most medications that you are familiar with (prescription or over the counter) only target the symptoms and thus provide temporary relief (claritin, zyrtec, benadryl, nasonex, etc). When you suspend treatment with these medications your allergic reactions are likely to return.
An important question to ask your allergist is whether the maintenance dose being prescribed in your shot(s) is in line with what has been shown to be effective in clinical studies. Several large organizations of leading allergists have endorsed dosing guidelines for immnuotherapy for common allergens like cat hair. Your allergist should be following these guidelines to help ensure you are receiving the most effective treatment possible.
December 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Most likely.
Brandon
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December 9th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
If you can have them, then they would help but not eliminate. Your reaction around some cats would be worse than others. The thing is that if your cat allergies are bad enough, the shots can’t be given to you because of the reaction you would have.
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December 9th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
It’s different for everyone. That’s something you’ll want to talk to your allergist about.
Good luck!
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December 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
i take allergy shots too, it takes awhile before you will stop feeling the allergy with cats, but it sure is worth it, i can’t remember how long i took the shots before i noticed i could be around cats without sneezing and wheezing.
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experiences
December 9th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Yes, they will work, but it may be up to two years before you get relief. Allergy shots are a long-term thing.
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December 9th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Allergy Immunotherapy (allergy shots) is a treatment option that helps to re-train your immune system so that you won’t over-react to benign substances like the dander from cat hair. It’s most likely that you are allergic to one of several proteins that are secreted by sebaceous and salivary glands from cats (which are then spread all over the cat’s fur by licking).
Clinical studies have shown that a proper course of treatment with allergy shots can result in significant relief in as little as 3 months, but a longer duration of treatment is generally required to develop a tolerance to the allergen (in this case, cats). In some people, allergy shots that are are maintained for 3-5 years appears to offer long-term relief. In fact, allergy shots are the only allergy treatment available that has the potential to cure your allergy since it targets the basic allergic mechanism of your disease. Most medications that you are familiar with (prescription or over the counter) only target the symptoms and thus provide temporary relief (claritin, zyrtec, benadryl, nasonex, etc). When you suspend treatment with these medications your allergic reactions are likely to return.
An important question to ask your allergist is whether the maintenance dose being prescribed in your shot(s) is in line with what has been shown to be effective in clinical studies. Several large organizations of leading allergists have endorsed dosing guidelines for immnuotherapy for common allergens like cat hair. Your allergist should be following these guidelines to help ensure you are receiving the most effective treatment possible.
References :
http://www.jcaai.org
http://www.aaaai.org
http://www.acaai.org
I am the manager of scientific information for an allergy vaccine company that manufactures the extracts that Allergists mix when delivering allergy shots.