The Efficacy of Cat Hair 9Ch and Histaminum 9Ch in Treating the Symptoms of Cat Allergy
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The efficacy of Cat hair 9cH and Histaminum 9cH in treating the symptoms of cat allergy A research dissertation presented to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, as partial fulfillment for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy by Dalen Alexander (Student number: 802029124) _________________________ _______________ Supervisor: Dr. J. Pellow M.Tech Hom (TWR) Date _________________________ _______________ Co-supervisor: Dr. R. Kohler M.Tech Hom (TWR) Date DECLARATION I, Dalen Alexander declare that this dissertation is my own, unaided work. It is being submitted for the degree of Master of Technology at the University of Johannesburg, Gauteng. It has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any other University. ___________________________ Signature of Candidate ______ day of ________________________ 2 ABSTRACT Cat allergy is the allergic reaction of a person’s body when exposed to allergens borne in the cat’s dander (shed skin cells), saliva or urine. The major cat allergen, called Fel d 1, is found in cat saliva, dander from sebaceous glands in the skin, fur and anal sebaceous glands. Symptoms of cat allergies may include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing and wheezing and in rare circumstances anaphylaxis occurs. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the homoeopathic complex Cat hair 9cH and Histaminum 9cH in treating the symptoms of cat allergy using the skin prick test and a symptom score card which rates the severity, frequency and duration of symptoms experienced. This was a four-week double blind, placebo-controlled study in which thirty participants, male and female between the ages of 18 and 45 were randomly divided into two groups. Advertisements was placed at the University of Johannesburg Doornfontein campus and at the Weleda pharmacy (Fourways). Potential participants that meet the inclusion criteria were requested to sign the Participant Information and Consent Form. This study had to form part of a group study related to cat allergy analysis. Participants were requested to report to Ampath laboratories to undergo a skin prick test to establish the presence of a cat allergy. Those participants that tested positive for cat allergies were to undergo an initial consultation involving a case history and a focused physical examination. Participants were given a score card each week to evaluate their severity, frequency and duration of their symptoms to be completed at the end of each week. Participants were given a 25ml bottle of either the homoeopathic complex of Cat hair 9cH and Histaminum 9cH or the placebo in tablet form, and each participant was instructed to take two tablets twice daily throughout the four week study. At the second consultation the physical exam was repeated and a second bottle of medication were given. At the end of week four, participants had to report to Ampath laboratories for the final skin prick test. This was to be followed by the third and final consultation, where the physical examination was done and all score cards collected. All data will be analysed using the Shapiro Wilk test, Mann-Whitney test, Friedman test and Wilcoxon test. With the aid of results from each participant the researcher arrived at the conclusion that the homoeopathic complex Histaminum 9cH and Cat Hair 9cH was effective on alleviating the symptoms of cat allergy. 3 DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the participants of this study who shared their views and experiences due to cat allergy. It is also dedicated to my family who supported me through my educational career. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The researcher would like to thank the following individuals for their contribution in the realization of this project: I would firstly like to thank God for giving me the strength and knowledge to complete my thesis. My supervisor, Dr Janice Pellow for her patience and academic input. Your advice, knowledge and guidance are greatly appreciated. My friend and colleague, Prenitha Naidoo for always giving me a helping hand when needed. My Parents, Freda and Lawrence Alexander: for giving me the opportunity to study and for their constant emotional and financial support. My friends and colleagues: their loyal friendship and determination inspired me throughout the seven years we studied together. My girlfriend, Helen Gough: for always been there for me and assisting me. You always urged me to believe in myself. You are the rock on which I stand. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DECLARATION ii ABSTRACT iii DEDICATION v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi TABLE OF CONTENTS vii LIST OF APPENDICES xv LIST OF FIGURES xvi LIST OF TABLES xvii CHAPTER ONE Page INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT 1 1.2 PURPOSE OF STUDY 2 1.3 HYPOTHESIS 2 1.4 NULL HYPOTHESIS 2 1.5 IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM 2 1.6 ASSUMPTIONS 3 1.7 CRITERIA GOVERNING ADMISSIBILITY OF DATA 3 CHAPTER TWO Page LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 ALLERGY 2.1.1 Cat allergy 2.1.2 Potential causes of cat allergies 2.2 Contributing factors in allergy 2.2.1 Hygiene Hypothesis 2.2.2 Heredity 6 2.2.3 Biochemical Individuality 2.2.4 Toxic Load 2.2.5 Drugs 2.2.6 Infant Formula 2.2.7 Illness 2.2.8 Stress 2.2.9 Dental Filings 2.2.10 Food 2.3 Classification and history of allergy 2.3.1 Hypersensitivity reactions 2.3.2 Type I (Immediate hypersensitivity) 2.3.3 Type II (Antibody to cell-bound antigen) 2.3.4 Type III (Immune complex hypersensitivity) 2.3.5 Type IV (Delayed-type hypersensitivity) 2.4 Components of an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction 2.4.1 Allergen 2.4.2 Mast cells 2.4.3 Basophils 2.4.4 IgE antibodies 2.5 Pathophysiology 2.5.1 Initial sensitization 2.5.2 Late-phase reaction 2.6 The chemical mediators of acute inflammation 2.6.1 Histamine 2.6.2 Histamine intolerance 2.6.3 Prostaglandins 2.6.4 Cytokines 2.7 Anaphylaxis 2.7.1 Prevention and treatment of anaphylaxis 2.8 Signs and symptoms of cat allergy 7 2.9 Diagnosis 2.10 Conventional treatment 2.10.1 Pharmacotherapy 2.11 Homoeopathy 2.11.1 History of Homoeopathy 2.11.2 Law of similar 2.12 Isotherapy 2.12.1 History of isotherapy 2.13 Nosodes 2.14 Homoeopathic treatment of cat allergy 2.15 Supportive measures in allergy 2.15.1 Zinc 2.15.2 Calcium 2.15.3 Copper 2.15.4 Sodium bicarbonate 2.15.5 Vitamin B6 2.15.6 Vitamin C 2.15.7 Vitamin F Chapter 3 Methodology 4.1 Research sample 4.2 Research design and procedure 4.3 Medication administration 4.4 Data collection and analysis 4.5 Reliability and validity 5 Ethics Chapter 4 Results 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Skin prick test results 8 4.3 Statistical tests of significance Chapter 5 Discussion 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Skin prick test 5.3 Symptom score card 5.4 Participant compliance 5.5 Participant subjectivity 5.6 Skin prick test (positive control) 5.7 Skin prick test results (cat allergens) 5.8 Severity of symptoms 5.9 Frequency of symptoms 5.10 Duration of symptoms Chapter 6 Conclusion and recommendation 6.1 Conclusion 6.2 Recommendations References Appendices Appendix A: Letter of permission Appendix B: Cat allergy advertisement poster Appendix C: Consent form Appendix D: Skin prick test results Appendix E: Case taking form Appendix F: Scorecard Appendix G: Information leaflet Appendix H: One-sample kolmogorov-Smimov test Appendix I: One-sample kolmogorov-Smimov test Appendix J: One-sample kolmogorov-Smimov test 9 Appendix K: One-sample kolmogorov-Smimov test Appendix L: One-sample kolmogorov-Smimov test LIST OF FIGURES 2.1 Immediate (type I) hypersensitivity mediated by IgE antibody bound to mast cells 2.2 Mechanism of type I IgE-mediated reactions 4.2.1 Skin prick test: positive control as measured in the experimental group 4.2.2 Skin prick test: positive control as measured in the control group 4.2.3 Flare reaction: positive control as measured in the experimental group 4.2.4 Flare reaction: positive control as measured in the control group 4.2.5 Degree of itchiness: positive control as measured in the experimental group 4.2.6 Degree of itchiness: positive control as measured in the control group 4.2.7 Skin prick test for sensitivity to cat allergen as measured in the experimental group 4.2.8 Skin prick test: for sensitivity to cat allergen as measured in the control group 4.2.9 Flare reaction: for sensitivity to cat allergen as measured in the experimental group 4.2.10 Flare reaction: for sensitivity to cat allergen as measured in the control group 4.2.11 Degree of itchiness: for sensitivity to cat allergens in the experimental group 4.2.12 Degree of itchiness: for sensitivity to cat allergens in the control 4.3.1 Severity of the symptom red itchy eyes 4.3.2 Severity of the symptom runny itchy stuffy nose 4.3.3 Severity of the symptom skin rash 4.3.4 Severity of the symptom redness of skin where a cat has scratched, licked or bitten 4.3.5 Severity of the symptom sneezing 4.3.6 Severity of the symptom scratchy throat 4.3.7 Severity of the symptom wheezing 4.3.8 Frequency of the symptom red itchy eyes 4.3.9 Frequency of the symptom runny itchy stuffy nose 10 4.3.10 Frequency of the symptom skin rash 4.3.11 Frequency of the symptom redness of skin where a cat has scratched, licked or bitten 4.3.12 Frequency of the symptom sneezing 4.3.13 Frequency of the symptom scratchy throat 4.3.14 Frequency of the symptom wheezing 4.3.15 Duration of the symptom red itchy eyes 4.3.16 Duration of the symptom runny itchy stuffy nose 4.3.17 Duration of the symptom skin rash 4.3.18 Duration of the symptom redness of skin where a cat has scratched, licked or bitten 4.3.19 Duration of the symptom sneezing 4.3.20 Duration of the symptom scratchy throat 4.3.21 Duration