Does someone in your household really want a cat, even though you are allergic to them? Or maybe you didn’t know you were allergic until you brought a kitten home from an Atlanta rescue shelter and now can’t imagine parting with your beloved pet.
If you are struggling with cat-related allergies, know that you have options when it comes to managing your allergy symptoms.
Minimize Your Allergy Triggers
If you have a cat or plan to get one, this isn’t going to be the solution for you. However, avoiding your triggers is the most effective way to prevent allergy symptoms. If you can’t avoid them entirely, you can still take steps to reduce your exposure, such as:
- Wash your hands immediately after petting or holding a cat. Avoid touching your face or eyes until you do.
- Vacuum your house at least once a week. If possible, have someone in your house who is not allergic be in charge of this. If not, consider wearing a disposable mask during cleaning.
- Bathe your cat weekly.
- Get a HEPA filter.
- Keep your cat out of your bedroom to reduce exposure to dander while you sleep.
- Wash your bedding and other laundry with hot water and use detergents to help remove more allergens.
Use Antihistamines
Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like Benadryl® or Claritin® can help prevent or relieve your symptoms. If OTC medications don’t seem effective, contact an allergist and ask about prescription options.
Consider Immunotherapy for Allergy Relief
If you suffer from cat-related allergies that don’t respond to other treatments, ask your allergist about immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is a method of building tolerance to a specific allergen by introducing it to the body in small doses over a period of time. It can be administered in two different ways:
- Allergy shots (injections)
- Sublingual immunotherapy, where the medication is taken orally via drops or tablets
While allergy shots are the most common method, sublingual immunotherapy has several advantages, including:
- Ability to be administered at home
- Lower risk of side effects
- Good for people who are afraid of needles
How Effective is Immunotherapy?
Allergen-specific immunotherapy has been found to have a success rate of 85-90%. It has the potential to completely eliminate your allergy symptoms.
However, it is important to know that immunotherapy does not take effect immediately. Symptom relief can take six months, and it usually has to be administered for 3-5 years before you experience the full benefits of treatment. For more information on allergy immunotherapy, contact ENT of Georgia North today.
