Table of Contents
- What is CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT?
- Medical Use
- Administration
- Important Considerations
- Ongoing Research
What is CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT?
CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT is a medical product used in the diagnosis of cat allergies. It is derived from the outer layer of cat skin cells, known as the epithelium[1]. This extract contains proteins that commonly trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Medical Use
The primary use of CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT is in skin prick tests, a common diagnostic procedure for identifying allergies. These tests help healthcare providers determine if a patient is allergic to cats[1].
Skin prick tests are typically used to diagnose conditions such as:
- Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Inflammation of the nasal passages causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and congestion when exposed to cat allergens.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the eyes causing redness, itching, and tearing when exposed to cat allergens.
- Asthma: In some cases, cat allergies can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.
Administration
CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT is administered as a solution for skin-prick test. The procedure typically involves[1]:
- Applying a small drop of the extract on the skin, usually on the forearm or back.
- Gently pricking the skin through the drop with a sterile lancet.
- Waiting for about 15-20 minutes to observe any reaction.
- Measuring the size of any resulting wheal (a raised, itchy bump) to determine the severity of the allergy.
The maximum dose is typically 1 drop, applied topically (on the skin)[1].
Important Considerations
When undergoing a skin prick test with CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT, it’s important to note:
- The test should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Inform your doctor about any medications you’re taking, as some may interfere with the test results.
- A positive result (wheal diameter ≥ 3 mm) indicates sensitization to cat allergens, but doesn’t necessarily mean you have a clinically relevant allergy[1].
- Additional tests, such as blood tests for specific IgE antibodies, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis[1].
Ongoing Research
While CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT is primarily used as a diagnostic tool, ongoing research is exploring its potential use in immunotherapy for cat allergies. However, it’s important to note that the clinical trials mentioned in the provided data do not specifically focus on cat allergies or CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT[1][2][3]. These trials are investigating immunotherapy treatments for other types of allergies, such as birch pollen, grass pollen, and olive pollen allergies.
The inclusion of CAT EPITHELIUM EXTRACT in these trials’ data suggests that it may be used as a control or comparison in allergy studies, highlighting its importance in allergy research and diagnostics[1][2][3].
