Allergy Shots for Cat Dander

Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to certain otherwise harmless substances. The body perceives specific substances as harmful and releases antibodies to neutralize the invader. These antibodies release chemicals such as histamine that create a physical reaction to the allergen, most commonly comprised of nasal congestion, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. Treatment for reducing the severity and frequency of allergy symptoms ranges from over-the-counter medications to doctor prescribed allergy shots.

Cause

• Cat allergies are triggered due to a protein found in the animal's saliva, skin cells or urine. When a cat licks itself while grooming, skin cells and hair are released into the air with dried saliva on them. This dander causes allergic reactions in people sensitive to that protein, with symptoms ranging from a stuffy nose to asthma attacks.

Treatment

• Allergy shots are used to condition the body to accept the allergen and eventually minimize or eliminate your allergy symptoms. This treatment is called immunotherapy and involves injecting you with a tiny amount of cat dander protein allergen in order to alert your immune system but not cause a full allergic reaction. The dosage of allergen is increased over the course of treatment to help your body build a tolerance for the allergen and reduce future allergic reactions.

Reactions

• Because the shot contains a sampling of your allergen, reactions to the shot itself are possible. Local reactions occur at the injection site and include redness, swelling or itchiness and usually clear up in a few hours. Systematic reactions are less common but can be more dangerous, as they include symptoms such as nasal congestion, hives or chest tightness. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that causes low blood pressure and difficulty breathing.

Schedule

• Your doctor will develop a schedule attuned to your level of allergies, but allergy shots are generally given on a schedule spanning three to seven months to start with. You will receive a shot up to three times a week in what is known as the buildup phase. The allergen dosage will be slowly increased in each shot until your allergy symptoms diminish. Once the correct dosage is found, the maintenance phase begins and your shots are spread out to once a month. This phase can last up to five years or more.

Prognosis

• Allergy shots do not stop allergic reactions right away but slowly desensitize your body to the allergen. Symptoms improve over time, with notable improvement occurring in the second year of treatment. The Mayo Clinic reports that most people find relief of their allergy symptoms in their third year of treatment and no longer experience significant reactions. Depending upon the severity of your allergy, you may require ongoing shots to help minimize symptoms.