Cat allergies can be a nightmare, especially in younger kiddos. They can cause all sorts of irritating and sometimes even debilitating symptoms, leaving your kiddo feeling less than stellar.
While you can enlist the help of traditional treatments, like antihistamines or decongestants, these solutions only work for so long.
And, if your kiddo loves playing with kittens and cats, managing those allergies can become even more of a chore. So, is there a better solution? Allergy shots, a type of allergy immunotherapy, might be the long-term solution you’re looking for.
Understanding Cat Allergies in Kids
Allergies in kiddos are just like those in adults. Simply put, an allergy is the immune system’s reaction to a foreign substance it deems harmful. Oftentimes, that foreign substance, called an allergen, is perfectly harmless. It could be pollen floating on the breeze or northern pasture grasses like timothy. Generally, these substances are harmless, but to some immune systems, they’re big red flags.
When your child has an allergy and they’re exposed to the allergen, their little immune system will jump into action. Your child’s body produces antibodies, blood proteins that counteract a specific antigen. Those antibodies are responsible for producing the symptoms you recognize as an allergic reaction.
These symptoms can vary in severity but may include:
- Skin rashes
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Difficulty breathing
- Stomach upset
The Culprit Causing Cat Allergies
There’s a common misconception surrounding cat allergies: the allergy is caused by the animal’s fur. While some people are sensitive to cat fur, the actual culprit is often the cat’s dander. The dander is the skin cells the cat sloughs off naturally.
Dead skin cells can become airborne, hanging in the air and causing unpleasant symptoms. They can also cling to surfaces like furniture, bedding, and clothes, causing the symptoms to flare up long after the cat has left the room.
If dander isn’t the culprit, it could be the cat’s saliva. Like dander, feline saliva can become airborne when dry and often clings to various surfaces, including carpets, furniture, bedding, and clothing.
What Are Cat Allergy Shots?
Cat allergy shots are a type of allergy immunotherapy (AIT). Like other types of AIT, cat allergy shots are designed to desensitize the body to a particular allergen.
Over time, cat allergy shots for humans can build an allergen-specific tolerance. To achieve this result, the shot delivers a small, incrementally increasing dose of the allergen (dander, saliva, etc.). The dose, delivered periodically under the skin, exposes the immune system to the allergen.
This repeated exposure can, over time, help reduce the production of the “blocking” antibodies that your child’s body produces (which kickstart the reaction). So, with consistency, your child may slowly become less sensitive to that particular allergen.
Do Cat Allergy Shots Actually Work?
We hear you—it does sound too good to be true. After all, how can a series of shots relieve an allergy? While it takes time, cat allergy shots are highly effective, even for kiddos.
Countless studies and trials have showcased the remarkable efficacy of these treatments. For example, a range of research and clinical trials demonstrated how effective these treatments can be. They found that repeated subcutaneous injections (allergy shots) can achieve an allergen-specific tolerance that persists even after treatment is discontinued.
Or, consider this study, which sought to determine the long-term impact of allergy immunotherapy on allergic rhinitis. It evaluated various pieces of evidence and found that both types of AIT (allergy shots and allergy drops) are highly effective in treating allergic rhinitis. These treatments even offer clinical benefits and immunological changes indicating allergen-specific tolerance.
Cat allergy shots can be highly effective; there’s no doubt about that. Of course, every child is different, so the timeline for seeing results can vary.
How Long Do Cat Allergy Shots Take to Work?
Unlike antihistamines or decongestants, which usually work quickly, cat allergy shots need time to work. Your kiddo’s body needs time to adjust. It usually takes anywhere from two to three years to see the best results from cat allergy shots. However, you might start to notice improvements within the first year!
It all depends on how your child’s body handles the treatment. It’s not a quick fix, though, so if you want overnight results, this avenue might not be your best bet.
So, Are Allergy Shots the Answer to Cat Allergies in Kids?
Cat allergy shots can be an incredibly effective and long-term solution to cat allergies in people from all walks of life, including kiddos. With time and consistency, these shots can offer remarkable improvements in irritating allergy symptoms. Of course, every child is different, so results may vary, but for some, allergy shots might be the answer!
As with any change in your child’s medical care, remember to chat with their primary care physician first. Your child’s healthcare provider can help you choose the best treatment based on your kiddo’s needs and medical history.
