


So, a week or so ago... I got an email from somebody asking me if I'd be interested in partaking in a research study that's being done in an effort to rid people of their cat allergies. Since my skin reactions are so bad, I was definitely interested. I told them that as long as nothing in the study involved anything else I'm allergic to (such as chemicals) then I was game. I directed the person I spoke with to my list of allergies. She came back saying that I'm not an eligible candidate because I have seasonal allergies. Womp, womp. Seasonal allergies are really common, so it's too bad that anybody with them can't participate.

Anyways, not everybody HAS seasonal allergies, so I figured I'd pass along the information to you anyways - just in case you can use it!

Here ya go:

Cold Temperatures Force Pets Inside, Exacerbate Issues for Allergy SufferersNew Study Underway Could Offer Hope for Cat Allergy Sufferers who don’t Find Relief from Current Treatments

With record cold temperatures hitting North America this winter, many people and their pets are stuck indoors for long periods of time. For the millions of Americans allergic to their cats, this can lead to intensified symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and runny or blocked nose.

Doctors are seeking eligible volunteers for a major clinical research study evaluating an investigational cat allergy medicine to determine whether it can help reduce symptoms for a sustained period with a relatively short course of treatment. The CATALYST study (www.thecatallergystudy.com) is a Phase 3 clinical research study, meaning that the investigational medicine has been found in previous, smaller studies to be sufficiently safe and well-tolerated in people suffering from cat allergy to justify a larger clinical trial.

It is estimated that one-quarter of the population may suffer from cat allergyAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/Types/pet-allergies/Pages/cat-allergy.aspx) , a common and year-long condition in which exposure to cat allergens such as dander (shedding skin cells) provoke unpleasant and often disruptive symptoms. There are 77 sites across the United States and Canada participating in CATALYST, which is designed to determine whether the investigational medicine can effectively treat the symptoms of moderate to severe cat allergy with people who live with cats and have been diagnosed with the condition for at least two years.

Many people with cat allergies try managing their symptoms with prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants. Sufferers with moderate to severe cat allergy may undergo a series of allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy, which works by trying to teach the immune system to tolerate cat allergens rather than fight them. Allergen immunotherapy typically begins with once- or twice-weekly injections for several months and gradually tapers in frequency to once monthly, but for as long as 3-5 years. Currently available treatment options are associated with poor patient compliance and high potential for side-effects.

In the CATALYST study, researchers are investigating a different approach to allergen immunotherapy to determine whether the investigational medicine can provide sustained allergen tolerance and corresponding symptom relief over an extended period with only four or eight doses of immunotherapy.

To potentially qualify for the CATALYST Study, participants must be between the ages of 12 and 65, have a cat at home and have been diagnosed with cat allergy for at least two years. Participation does not require insurance, and participants will receive all study exams and medication at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may also be provided. To find out if you qualify, please visit www.thecatallergystudy.com or call 1-844-CAT-STUDY.

Let me know if you try it out!