It’s a nightmare for dog and cat owners. Suddenly, an allergy to pets develops. When I rub my stomach or hug it, my eyes get red and I have a runny nose. Some people can no longer even be in the same room as their pets unless their respiratory system sets off an alarm.
The advice of medical professionals in such cases is unanimous. Allergies are very unlikely to go away, so it’s best to find the animal a new home. In fact, living with animals increases the risk of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever,” turning into the more serious form of allergic asthma.
But saying goodbye to animal friends is an intolerable thought for many allergy sufferers. This is the case for people who are sensitive or whose jobs require contact with animals.
The good news: there are treatments that can greatly reduce or even cure allergies. The bad news: treatment is arduous and not entirely risk-free.
An allergy sufferer’s immune system acts like an overzealous guard that keeps mistaking harmless visitors for dangerous intruders. If an innocent visitor fits a certain pattern, the guards will automatically detain them and send a messenger alerting the entire security apparatus of the apparent threat.
In this analogy, the classic allergy medicine, the antihistamine, takes over various security posts to prevent the messenger substance histamine from setting off alarms. is.security guards still I think Innocent visitors are dangerous.
retraining the immune system
But for over 100 years, there have been procedures that can address the underlying causes of allergies. It is a specific immunotherapy, also called desensitization. It was used by pathologist Leonard Noon as early as 1911 to relieve hay fever. To date, it is the only known treatment that can permanently re-educate the immune system.
Desensitization works like this: An allergy sufferer’s body is exposed to very small and then progressively larger amounts of harmless visitors (allergens), and the immune system learns over time that they are not actually dangerous. But throwing in too much at once will cause the guards to panic. Also, the immune system learns slowly and takes at least three years to retrain.
In this process, there are two methods of introducing allergens into the body in a controlled manner. These are injections under the skin (subcutaneous immunotherapy) and drops or tablets that dissolve under the tongue (sublingual immunotherapy). Injections, or allergy injections, should be seen by a doctor every week at the start of treatment and about every 4 weeks thereafter. (Allergy shots for animal dander are available in the US. Allergy tablets are approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for ragweed, grass pollen, and house dust mites. Drops are not approved by the FDA. In Europe, more subcutaneous and sublingual treatments are approved, including injections, eye drops, tablets)*.
Certain immunotherapies have proven effective against tree and grass pollen, and experts believe they are generally effective against animal allergies. “Both methods are nearly as effective in cats as they are in dogs. 70 to 80 percent of people who successfully complete treatment experience complete success in the sense that they barely notice any symptoms,” he says. Karl-Christian Bergmann, an allergist at the Institute of Allergology, Charité University Medical School, Berlin, said.
Bergmann says the first improvement is usually seen after three to four months. After three years of treatment, the effects usually last for several years. “That doesn’t mean the allergy will go away forever. Symptoms can come back years later,” he says Bergmann. No one can say it’s likely.
Prevent the spread of severe allergy symptoms
The best argument for desensitization is to reduce the risk of spreading potentially dangerous allergic conditions from the upper to the lower respiratory tract, for example from allergic rhinitis to allergic bronchial asthma. The first signs that occur are often chest discomfort and an irritating cough.In severe asthma, the bronchi become chronically inflamed and constricted. There is a risk of shortness of breath and life-threatening breathing difficulties.
In principle, the spread of this allergy can be prevented by specific immunotherapies. However, unlike plant pollen allergy, the research record for animal allergy is modest. Reports of success come only from very small studies and cover short periods. not at all. The 2022 German guidelines for certain immunotherapies refer to “limited evidence” of efficacy against allergies in cats and “insufficient” evidence in dogs. They therefore call for a critical weighing of benefits and risks.
This is due to evidence that serious side effects occur more frequently with treatments involving animal allergens than with other types of allergens, warns Helmholtz München Allergy Information Service. There is severe anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening cessation of the body. The first signs can be harmless as well as mild side effects that usually go away quickly. After the injection, the skin around the injection site will be red. After taking the drops, the oral mucosa itches. But when the larynx swells or the circulatory system collapses, the situation quickly becomes dangerous. Dyspnea, unconsciousness, and organ failure are at risk and must be treated urgently.
This risk is the main reason why immunotherapy is often not recommended for pet allergies, says Margitta Worm, an allergist at the Charité University Medical School in Berlin. “Intolerance reactions occur disproportionately compared to immunotherapy against pollen,” she says, adding that deaths are very rare and the risk of reactions such as anaphylactic shock is greater than that of asthma and other forms of asthma. It’s most likely for people who are already suffering from risk factors, he added. Also, treatment is particularly difficult if patients continue to live with pets because exposure to allergens cannot be controlled.
Adam Chaker, an ear, nose and throat specialist at the university hospital rechts der Isar at the Technical University of Munich, agrees. However, he draws a different conclusion. The risk of life-threatening allergic shock from pet allergy immunotherapy is one in a million, says Chaker. is possible, but highly unlikely. He says certain immunotherapies are “very safe” if contact between animals and their allergens can be minimized. Allergies should be under control.
Chaker believes desensitization works when used correctly. He and his team are studying the molecular mechanisms behind allergies, and are now focusing on different biomarkers that indicate whether certain immunotherapies will be successful three years later at the start. There is no evidence that one respiratory allergen is less therapeutic than another, he says.
However, treatment can be more difficult when multiple different allergens from one species are required. For people with cat allergies, more than 90% react to major cat allergens, so this problem can usually be ignored. The desensitization and diagnosis of dog allergies is therefore often more complicated.
There is also less demand for immunotherapy for dog allergies than for cat allergies. “Dog allergies usually cause less severe symptoms than cat allergies,” Wurm explains. “Affected individuals are more likely to opt for symptomatic treatment with antihistamines and banish the dog from the bedroom.” She opposes permanent treatment of symptoms with cortisone because of its side effects. However, allergy sufferers who continue to live with dogs are at an increased risk of developing asthma, albeit at a lower risk than those who live with cats. , always finding an animal a new home,” says Wurm.
Chaker agrees, saying it’s better not to get into this situation in the first place. “I want a dog, but I already have other allergies. Is that possible?” or “My child has neurodermatitis. Can we still have a cat?” In such cases, his answer is, “Not a good idea. People who already have allergies are in a group at high risk for further allergies and allergic asthma.”
The situation is different when it is difficult to avoid contact with animals, such as blind people who need a guide dog. In such cases, Chaker recommends specific immunotherapies with necessary precautions. This is especially important during the first few weeks of treatment when external allergens need to be kept as low as possible. This reduces risk and increases your chances of success. “Immunotherapy can also treat allergic asthma if allergen exposure is kept low and symptoms are well controlled with medication,” says Chaker.
Additionally, Chaker believes there is a great need for various populations, such as people who don’t have animals in their homes but suffer from allergens that pet owners bring into the public. “These are the people we could do well to help with specific immunotherapies,” he says.
For example, take 1 tablet daily for 3 years. However, there is no guarantee of success. Symptoms may lessen but do not disappear completely and may recur after a few years. Whether the prospect is good enough to try it is up to every pet owner for himself It is a decision that must be made.
Allergy Tips Under One Roof
While not a permanent solution, steps can be taken to reduce the amount of allergens in your dog or cat household.
- Keep animals out of as many rooms as possible, especially bedrooms.
- Avoid carpets and upholstered furniture.
- Reduce blankets and pillows, vacuum and clean regularly.
- Frequent dressing and washing.
- Mopping floors, seats and other surfaces regularly with a damp mop and steam cleaning.
- Bathe the animals once or twice a week.
- Avoid close contact with animals.
- Ventilate well regularly or use an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.
This article originally appeared on science spectrum Reproduced with permission.
*Editor’s Note (May 4, 2023): This paragraph has been updated after posting to provide clearer information about allergy immunotherapies currently approved and available in the United States and Europe.
