Abstract
M.Tech.
Cat allergy can be defined as an abnormal immune response by the body to cat
dander or cat saliva, which is considered to be a harmless environmental agent. In
individuals who display a hypersensitivity to cats, exposure can manifest in a
complex of symptoms which can negatively influence their normal day to day
functioning. Conventional treatment for cat allergy comprises of antihistamines
and decongestants, which have many adverse effects and in many patients
prolonged use can result in the development of a tolerance to that particular drug.
To date no research has been conducted on the homoeopathic complex of Cat
saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH for treating the symptoms of cat allergy.
The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Cat saliva 9cH and
Histaminum 9cH in treating the symptoms of cat allergy, by use of an allergy skin
prick test and a symptom score card. The complex of Cat saliva 9cH and
Histaminum 9cH was prepared according to homoeopathic principles and
prescribed according to isopathic principles.
Thirty participants between the ages of 18 and 45 both male and female, who all
had a positive test result for an allergy skin prick test specifically to cat allergen,
were selected for this four week, double blind, placebo-controlled study. During
the conduction of the skin prick test the wheal diameter, flare reaction and degree
of itchiness were measured at the beginning of the study (week 1) and at the end
of the study (week 4). The participants were randomly divided into the
experimental and control group. The control group received the placebo and the
experimental group received the homoeopathic complex of Cat saliva 9cH and
Histaminum 9cH. Participants were asked to take two tablets sublingually in the
morning and two tablets at night for the duration of the study period (4 weeks).
Each participant received a score card which rated the severity, frequency and
duration of their symptoms and was completed at the end of each week.
The results were statistically analysed using the Mann-Whitney U Test, the
Friedman-K Related Samples Test, the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test,
Independent-Samples T-Test and descriptive statistics. The results showed that the
iv
homoeopathic complex of Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH had improved all
symptoms in the experimental group, however when compared to the control
group was only found to be statistically significant in improving the severity of
the symptom “runny itchy stuffy nose”, the frequency of the symptoms “red itchy
eyes”, “runny itchy stuffy nose” and “sneezing”, as well as improving the duration
of the symptom “runny itchy stuffy nose”.