Circassia LTD, a biopharmaceutical company in the United Kingdom, is funding a study that aims to develop a new treatment for cat allergies. Known as CATALYST, the study is in the third phase of its clinical trial, and has already proven effective for a number of participants.
According to the Spokesman-Review, a Washington news outlet, 77 hospitals across the United States are inviting patients to participate in the study going forward. Those who qualify will be given intradermal allergy shots over the course of several months. This differs from the traditional treatment for cat allergies, which consists of three to five years of subcutaneous allergy shots.
"This is a new type of allergy shots. It's been shown in smaller studies to be safe and effective," said Richard Gower, an allergist and immunologist at Marycliff Allergy Specialists in Washington, one of the sites participating in the study. "If this gives long lasting benefit it will cut time, cost and inconvenience to the patients. This is a new way, a simple way and a quick way to achieve desensitization."
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America statistics reveal that approximately 10 million people in the United States suffer from cat dander allergies. If you're one of them, there are steps you can take around the house to help you co-exist with your furry friend. For example, the installation of an allergen air purifier — which removes irritants directly from the air — could make a significant difference.
Check out the Allergy Be Gone website to learn more the allergen air purifier and other allergy solutions, like our hypoallergenic bedding.
