Are you allergic to your rats?

[oskyle1567]

Does anyone else break out in hives when you get scratched by your rats? It doesn't even have to be a deep scratch for me, I end up swelling up and it becomes very itchy. Luckily its only physical contact that im allergic to and not airborne or i wouldn't be able to keep them. I like them allot and i wish i could handle them more.

[aldebono]

I have heard of another person on the forum being allergic to her rat scratches. I don't remember who it was now. Maybe some thin gardening gloves and a long sleeve shirt?

[angllady2]

This is what Benedryl is for.

I am severely allergic to rats touching my skin. Not scratches, just their tiny toenails touching my skin and I get big red itchy bumps that last for days.

So, I learned to take one generic Benedryl about 20 minutes before handling, and to wash with soap and water after. I still get a few bumps, but they are much smaller and don't itch as badly. This may also help you.

Hubby says the simple solution is to stop handling the rats. He really doesn't get how impossible it is to resist the cute little rattie faces you just want to snuggle.

Gale