Allergic to feeders?

[Nagini88]

I've been fighting with an allergy to rats for over 3 years now. So far I havent found anything that works med wise. I use frozen feeders now, but even those set me off. My question is: is there anyone else with bad allergies to rats/mice? what do you do about it? Just deal with it or has anyone found anything that works?

[Bruce Whitehead]

I have rat allergies (usually end up in the emergency room twice a year).

I take singulair, and have a pump. I also takes lots of sinus meds. The meds for respitory issues seems to help, but there is not much I can do for the skin allergies except to avoid contact.

I use a respirator when I work in the rat room, gloves when I have to handle them, have an outside venting fan in the rat room, ozone filter, and a few hepa filter towers, etc, etc, etc.

I am allergic to their beddings as well. The only thing that does not set me off is "yesterday's news".

When worse comes to worse I have a few people that will help out to give my lungs a break.

Have you talked to your doctor about it? She/he may have something to help.

Not sure that helps.

Bruce

[llovelace]

Wow Bruce, that's tough

[ThyTempest]

I have been developing worse and worse allergies since I was kid...but luckily my stubborness (aka, not getting rid of our pets) has more or less acted as immunotherapy in a mild form over the years. Now I am on weekly shots for various environmental stuff, but I am going to talk to my allergist about adding all the pet stuff...I don't know why it wasnt included in the first place.

I take Zyrtec everday, Aprodine or Sudafed 1-2 times a day, Benadryl on occasion in addition to my shots.

All in all, meds might not be enough and you could consider getting shots to eventually diminish your sensitivity to it. I didn't think my shots were working since I wasnt getting significant results after almost a year, then I got pneumonia and they found a chronic sinus infection that had been being a pain in the butt for the entire year, masking any lack of allergy symptoms.

I had a couple of good weeks, then the spring allergens came out and I am miserable again. Woohoo allergies!

[LadyOhh]

I have allergies.

If they scratch me, I get hives.

I start sniffling very soon after I am in their presence.

I just use tongs, and hope to hell they don't touch me. I grab them by their tails.

I just wash wash wash my hands afterwards, and make sure everything is clean.

Its part of the deal.

[Nagini88]

Yeah I just went today, they proscribed allegra and flonaze, we'll see if that will help at all ><, I also get hives when they scratch me, which is why I like doing frozen but I do have some picky eatters so I have to do live as well

[ThyTempest]

The flonase helped me a lot, but only for about 6months, then it just started becoming less and less effective.

As far as daily allergy pills go, find the one that works for you. I started on Allegra like 10 years ago, didn't really work for me, tried Claritin, same deal...eventually got on to Zyrtec and it still seems to work well. I inherited my allergies from my dad, who isnt affected at all by Zyrtec, but Allegra does wonders for him. Don't be surprised if it changes too, you may have to cycle different medications every 6 months-a year or two depending on how your body works.

[Nagini88]

the thing is I had rats for 5 years, bred them as pets and for looks, then I moved out to Ca 3 years ago and suddenly was allergic, and it went downhill from there

[Denial]

I am SEVERLY allergic to rats! We are fixing to start breeding them and I went to pick up some racks sunday night and they had been in storage for 2 years a rat has not been in it for two years and when we were done loading them on the truck I was sneezing and eyes running it was horrible lol I have to wear gloves and use tongs when feeding I can not touch them. So thankfully I have a fiance that is willing to take care of the furry critters for me so I will never touch the rat racks. They will have there own building lol. Ive been thinking about getting on a regular allergy medicine. I also have 6 dogs and I have 4 siberian huskys and im fine with all of them except one of my females I cant get in an enclosed space with her I took her to get shots one day and thought I was going to die

[Nagini88]

yeah, your lucky, my live in boyfriend wont touch them he hates anything small and furry