Just sitting on a couch that a cat has laid on is enough for some people to get itchy eyes and a running nose. Anyone allergic to cats understands how annoying this can be, especially if you're a cat lover or everybody you know seem to own one.
Luckily, this annoyance could soon be something of the past. Scientists at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, have revealed that they are developing cats' vaccines to bring to an end the misery of anyone allergic to cats.
Having Cats Allergy Can Be a Daylight Nightmare
According to medical research, 10 percent of allergy patients are allergic to pets, whether dogs or cats. Symptoms range from mild sniffles to severe allergic reactions that can need hospitalization.
Some common allergic effects include itchy eyes, rashes, constant bouts of sneezing, and runny noses. And some people can feel the impact by just entering the same room as a cat, let alone trying to touch it.
We all know it feels miserable to want to live with cats, when at the same time, you know you're assigning to a life of wiping your nose and eyes day after day.
Though Cats are Beautiful Creatures, They're Notoriously Hairy
Unless you're prepared to invest in some considerable amount of cash to buy a hairless feline, you have to give up living with cats or endure the annoying allergy symptoms. That is, for now.
Scientists Are Soon Developing a "Vaccine" That'll Virtually Eliminate Cat Allergies in Humans
The "HypoCat vaccine" is likely a solution to anyone who has ever found themselves in a sniffling, itchy mess after their beloved cat climbed onto their lap for a warm cuddle.
The Vaccine is for Cats, Not Humans
If you fear needles, you need not worry. The vaccine is designed to be administered to your pet through a simple injection. It's aimed to neutralize the allergy-causing protein, called Fel-d1, found mainly in the cat's fur.
The Fel-d1 protein attaches to tiny particles of felines' dry skin that fall off onto the cat's surroundings, including air, on the couch, bed, or the floor.
When these particles get into your breathing system, they make your immune system think it's under attack. It responds by triggering a rush of histamine.
The Vaccine Triggers the Cat's Immune System, Producing Antibodies That Fight and Destroy the Fel-d1 Protein
Researchers injected 54 cats with the vaccine. All of them produced antibodies that could help destroy the protein that causes discomfort in many people.
The researchers said:
"Both humans and animals could profit from this treatment. Allergic cat owners would reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases, such as asthma."
"Their cats could stay in the households and not need to be relinquished to animal shelters."
According to the researchers' report, the vaccine is safe and doesn't cause any side-effects.
They concluded:
"The vaccine was well tolerated and had no overt toxic effect."
So, to weepers and sneezers out there, who have an allergy to cats, get ready to cuddle your cats all over again. Your time of allergy-free living might be coming much sooner than you thought.
