Is it possible to desensitize yourself to allergens?

[Locut0s]

Some time after our pet dog died I developed an allergy to cats. Not sure why as we never owned a cat before but I'm fairly sure it happened after Josie died because I don't remember being allergic before. Can allergies develop because of the loss of some type of stimulant in ones life? For example you had cats for years without being allergic then you don't have cats for several years and the loss of the cat stimulant causes your body to develop an allergy to cats? Or is this just stupid talk?

Anyway is it possible to desensitize ones immune system to an allergen? I know desensitization works with some other conditions but haven't heard of it working for allergies. Would be one hell of a bad coping period though.

 

[oynaz]

There is some research going on on that subject for the moment in Denmark. My brother is in the test subject group. So the answer is perhaps.

 

[IAteYourMother]

yes

 

[Dimmu]

From personal experience, I would have to say yes.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I think its common for people to develop allergies later in life.

edit- No, it's not possible to desensitize yourself by exposure to the allergen.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://purebredcatbreedrescue.org/allergy_to_cats.htm
http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/immth.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy#Desensitizing

 

[Saint Michael]

Applying simple logic to this would suggest that one cannot desensitize oneself to an allergy. The allergy is basically an immune response, and judging from the way your immune system becomes better at dealing with non-benign foreign entities one might think the immune response is actually heightened with increased exposure... of course I'm no expert, I'm just speculating.

 

[dman]

I had read about some trials to see if children with peanut allergies could be desensitized over time. The researches exposed the test group to minuscule amounts (really really small amounts). Over a long period of time they were able to build up a tolerance level. However, there were some issues. That was a few years ago and I'm not sure where they are in the process or even if I'm relaying the information back correctly (=don't try this at home).

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: dman
I had read about some trials to see if children with peanut allergies could be desensitized over time. The researches exposed the test group to minuscule amounts (really really small amounts). Over a long period of time they were able to build up a tolerance level. However, there were some issues. That was a few years ago and I'm not sure where they are in the process or even if I'm relaying the information back correctly (=don't try this at home).

I work in a food allergy laboratory/clinic where our doctors do immunotherapy quite often.

Yes, oral immunotherapy does seem to yield pretty promising results (at least for Peanut, Egg, and Cockroach).

you start off with small, sub-optimal (below your threshold) doses of the allergen and slowly ramp yourself up over a long period of time.

Though, with an allergen like cat, it'd have to be a subcutaneous shot.

Another alternative is to begin a regimen of Omalizumab (Xolair), which is a drug that binds up your IgE (the allergy antibodies) and prevents them from doing their job. This drug has had great results in trials thus far. Though it's probably expensive

 

[olds]

You defiantly can get them as you get older. I have never had allergies and now something is kicking my ass. My sinus is plugged, I have fluid in my ears and my lymph nodes are swollen. At one point I was coughing so bad I got the dry heaves.

 

[lightstar]

yes, it's the principle behind today's allergy shots

 

[ghostman]

I never had allergies until I started working. I just broke out in hives one day. I had to return every week for an allergy shot where the doses of different allergens (?) were increased. I stopped going after a few months because they couldn't provide me with an end date and I felt they could just be giving me random placebo shots while still charging my insurance. I haven't broken out in hives for a few years now and take allergy medication (claritin and such) very sparingly - less than once a month, but I always keep a benadryl pill handy.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Saint Michael
Applying simple logic to this would suggest that one cannot desensitize oneself to an allergy. The allergy is basically an immune response, and judging from the way your immune system becomes better at dealing with non-benign foreign entities one might think the immune response is actually heightened with increased exposure... of course I'm no expert, I'm just speculating.

your logic sucks.

 

[ForumMaster]

there is research that is being done to destroy the cells that cause the immune system response. this would in essence make you non allergic again. the medication is quite expensive. i have no idea what it's called. read about in a national geaographic issue a couple years ago. so the answer is yes.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
You defiantly can get them as you get older. I have never had allergies and now something is kicking my ass. My sinus is plugged, I have fluid in my ears and my lymph nodes are swollen. At one point I was coughing so bad I got the dry heaves.

Yeah I didn't have allergies for years... but in the past 2 or so I've been having some pretty strong responses to things that didn't bother me at all... cats and pollen to name two.

 

[imported_Baloo]

If you never owned a cat before, how can you be sure the allergy only just developed?

And yes, it is possible to desensitez one's self to allergens. that is generally how they treat childhood allergies, by controlled exposure with the intent to desensitize. Not the only way, but very common.

 

[Bryophyte]

I got allergen desensitization shots for five years for dog & cat dander and dust mites. Worked great.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I live with a cat, and have also lived with a dog and am alergic to both (more so to cats tho). When I first moved in yeah i was sneezing a lot, but as you get use to the one cat, the allergies go away. I think you just get use to the cats specific hair and dandruff I guess.

 

[Shawn]

I've owned a cat for most of my life and while I did sneeze occasionally it wasn't that bad. Now that I've been away from home for 3 years I can't tolerate my cat at all. If I touch my cat without washing my hands afterward then touch my face my eyes will itch and I will sneeze uncontrollably.