Do you have a cat allergy? This new vaccine could get rid of your symptoms
Posted: 23rd October 2019 | Posted by Costa
Do you have a cat allergy? This new vaccine could get rid of your symptoms
Pet allergies are common in the UK. It’s common in those who also have allergic asthma or hay fever. But new research is giving hope to people with a cat allergy. Scientists claim they have developed a vaccine which could get rid of your symptoms altogether. What’s interesting about the vaccine is that it isn’t for people – it’s for the cat.
How does the vaccine work?
The reason some people have allergic reactions to cats is their body is sensitive to a certain protein cats produce naturally. This protein is called Fel d 1. The scientists who developed the vaccine claim it works by encouraging the cat’s immune system to go after this protein – the allergen – to stop it being so prevalent and causing allergic reactions in people.
This is a clever feat of modern science, where scientists attach a genetically modified version of the protein to a virus-like particle taken from a plant virus. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean it will infect your cat. It’s a plant virus, so it can’t, and it’s just a virus particle as opposed to a full, live virus.
No more symptoms
If the vaccine is successful, it would essentially create hypoallergenic cats. This is excellent news for those who have missed out on the companionship of a pet due to their allergies. A cat allergy commonly presents symptoms including itchy eyes, swollen eyes, blotchy skin, sneezing, coughing and wheezing, hives and rashes, or a runny and stuffy nose. If the vaccine works, people with allergies can say goodbye to these symptoms and also reduce their risk of developing chronic illnesses like asthma.
When can you get the vaccine?
However, the vaccine isn’t available just yet. Researchers are still going ahead with registration studies and discussions with European and US regulators before they can bring the vaccine to market. They say it aims to help both people and cats.
Cat owners could reduce their symptoms while there could also be a drop in the number of cats ending up in shelters or on the streets from owners who didn’t realise they had a cat allergy. Still, the team hopes the vaccine might be available within the next three months.
If you’re suffering from a pet allergy, or if you’re not quite sure what’s causing your symptoms, it’s time to get in touch with our consultants. At the London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we can find out what’s causing your symptoms with a simple test and give you the right treatments to solve your problems. Book an appointment today.