Living With Cat Allergies: How Cat Allergy Shots Can Help

If you’re a cat lover with a cat allergy, there’s a good chance you’ve looked for solutions that can help you hang out with your feline friends without irritating allergic symptoms. While you’ve probably found solutions like antihistamines, corticosteroids, or decongestants, you might not have heard of allergy immunotherapy. 

This revolutionary treatment offers promising results for cat lovers with allergies. Allergy shots, a type of allergy immunotherapy, can be highly effective in alleviating symptoms, potentially allowing you to cuddle with your furry friends without the cloud of symptoms hanging over you. 

Understanding Cat Allergies

When people think of cat allergies, many believe the root cause to be the cat’s fur. While some cat allergies may stem from the cat’s fur, it’s not nearly as common as most people think. Instead, the culprit behind cat allergies is usually the cat’s dander. 

Cat dander is the dead skin cells the animal sloughs off. It can become airborne, hovering in the air long after the cat leaves the room. It can even cling to various surfaces, including clothing, furniture, and flooring, causing flare-ups even when the cat isn’t in the room. 

In some cases, the allergy may stem from the cat’s saliva. Like dander, saliva can become airborne (when dry) and cling to various surfaces throughout your home, such as carpeting or furniture. 

What Are Cat Allergy Shots?

Cat allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy called subcutaneous immunotherapy. These shots contain a small dose of the cat allergen, whether it’s dander or saliva, delivering it underneath your skin via an injection. 

The shot works by “training” your body to become less sensitive. When you have an allergy, your body produces antibodies that communicate with specific cells, releasing chemicals that trigger the immune response. So, to “train” your body to become less reactive, the shot repeatedly exposes it to the allergen. 

This gives your immune system the chance to develop an allergen-specific tolerance. Over time, it reduces the production of those “blocking” antibodies, thus alleviating the allergic symptoms you experience when exposed to the allergen. 

Of course, this process doesn’t happen overnight—it’s far from a quick fix. Instead, it takes years to achieve. Most people notice early changes within the first year, but the best results often appear during years two and three. Progress and results can look different for everyone, though, as each individual is unique. 

Do Cat Allergy Shots for Humans Actually Work?

Injections that alleviate cat allergies might sound too good to be true, but they have been proven time and time again to be highly effective. In fact, this treatment is far from new. It’s been around for over a century, originally used to treat various sensitivities through repeated exposure. 

In the many decades since then, researchers have explored the ins and outs of these shots. Their work shows the remarkable efficacy of allergy shots and how they can dramatically improve allergies to various substances, including cat dander, saliva, and fur. 

For example, a handful of research and clinical trials looked at allergy shots as a whole. They found that repeated subcutaneous injections are highly effective in achieving an allergen-specific tolerance that remains long after discontinuing the treatment. 

Another study took a look at the long-term effect of allergy immunotherapy on allergic rhinitis. It was discovered that both allergy shots and allergy drops/tablets are effective in treating allergic rhinitis. They offer clinical benefits and immunological changes that indicate an allergen-specific tolerance. 

How Long Will It Take to See Results With Cat Allergy Shots?

Unfortunately, seeing the results from your cat allergy shot treatment plan takes time. It’s not a quick fix, so you’ll need to be patient once you start your treatment program. On average, it takes two to three years to see significant changes, but you might start to notice subtle improvements within the first year.

It all depends on the severity of your allergy, your treatment plan, and how your body responds to treatment. 

Wrapping Up

Cat allergy shots are a promising solution for cat lovers with allergies. They can help alleviate symptoms and may allow for a closer relationship with your feline friends (without irritating symptoms getting in the way). While it may take time to see significant improvements, the long-term efficacy of allergy shots has been well-documented. 

With patience and commitment to the treatment plan, cat allergy shots can provide relief and a better quality of life for those with cat allergies. Of course, if you’re considering allergy immunotherapy for your cat allergies, it’s important to chat with your allergist or healthcare provider first. They can help you select the best option for your needs based on your medical history, allergy, and budget.