Rodent breeding and allergies?

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Anyone have bad allergies to rodents yet still breed em?
My allergies get so bad that I break out in hives and my throat swells to the point where I wheeze when I breathe when I clean racks yet I still breed em. Why do we do it?

[Adam_Wysocki]

I'm allergic to my rodents but I still breed them because I can't find anyone locally capable of supplying me with 700+ a week and soon to be over 1000 a week.

I actually seem to be getting "less allergic" to them over time ... last couple of cleanings i didn't have to take any allergy meds and I did relatively well.

Good topic.

-adam

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I never have taken meds. I just tuff is out and within 2-3 hours of being done, I usually go back to normal. Sucks but I can't affort to pay 50-60$ food bills EVERY week

[Adam_Wysocki]

I just take one generic anti-allergy pill right when I start to clean ... helps keep me from tearing up and itching ... i have A LOT of rats to clean each week and it takes a long time, so the pill helps ... but hopefully I'm done with that now.

-adam

[Sunny1]

If you don't want to take medicine, would one of those paper masks (like what doctors/dentists wear) help??? I am not sure if they are relatively inexpensive or not, or if they would even help, but could be worth a try.... I have mild allergies myself and take a benadryl on occassion, but can't imagine braking out in hives and having my throat swell and having to "tuff it out" for a few hours.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I have thought about it. I cleaned em today and I didn't get a bad reaction at all other than a little throat swelling. I recently started using a damp bandanna to breathe through and that seemed to help

[frankykeno]

Jake, seriously, if you react that strongly...to the point your breathing is compromised and your throat is swelling...you aren't "toughing it out"...you're risking a reaction that could kill you. Some people's bodies learn to tolerate the things they are allergic to as is the case with Adam, but for some people repeated exposure to allergens causes an even worse and more deadly reaction. You need to seriously decide what your risks factors are here. At least consider a preventative medication before your clean the rats. A minor reaction like itcy eyes or slight hives is one thing, when your throat starts to close and you wheeze...that's nothing to play around with.

[rabernet]

I'm allergic to my rats, I have to take Benadryl right after handling them (but I think I'll start like Adam and take it before). My eyes get VERY itchy, and any place their toenails have touched my skin welts up.

[Bright202]

Invest in a gas mask lol

[juddb]

I'm allergic to my rats, I have to take Benadryl right after handling them (but I think I'll start like Adam and take it before). My eyes get VERY itchy, and any place their toenails have touched my skin welts up.

Wow the same thing happens to me. I get all itchy for while after. As far as pork chop's goes it sounds like you have an asthmatic reaction to rats, i have the same thing but for cats.... If im in a room with feline dander i start taking shallow breaths and i have to go to the hospital.