August 19, 2010

Allergy to Cats, Dogs, or Dust Make Allergy to All Else More Severe


New research published in this month's Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reported that patients with allergy to cat, dog, and/or dust mite resulted in increased allergy symptom severity to other allergies like ragweed.

In other words, if you have a cat allergy and also allergic to ragweed, the cat will actually make your allergy to ragweed even worse than if you did not have a cat (or have a cat allergy).

These year-round allergies appear to “pre-prime” the immune system so symptoms hit harder, earlier, and faster.

So what can you do if this problem applies to you? Treat the cat, dog or dust mite allergy year round (or get rid of the cat/dog)!

Read a news article on this here.

Reference:
Factors that affect the allergic rhinitis response to ragweed allergen exposure. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010 Apr;104(4):293-8.

Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.


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