Despite being a pet owner (including cats) since childhood, a recent allergy test revealed that I am now allergic to cats. Wonderful. Surprisingly, my allergist didn't recommend that I get rid of any pets (not that I would have anyway), but he did recommend allergy shots, which I'm taking under consideration.

Cat allergies are especially hard to deal with because cat dander is small and sticky, and getting rid of a pet doesn't address allergic symptoms that may happen outside of the home. New research suggests, however, that an immunity to cat dander can be built up through a new procedure called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Like allergy shots, SLIT gradually builds up a person's immunity to an allergen until the immune system learns to handle allergy triggers. The procedure involves putting small amounts of the allergen under the tongue, where it is absorbed by the body. In trials, the procedure reduced allergy symptoms by 67%.

The study was carried out in children, and as a parent I can see why this procedure would be preferred over shots, which can be painful. If you have a cat allergy, check out this website to learn more about natural ways to reduce your allergy symptoms at home.

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