• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details

Can people develop allergies to pigs

Status
Not open for further replies.
Craig David

Craig David

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
848
Reaction score
17
Points
325
Location
Bolton (up north)
hi people

had the pigs 6 weeks now and elliot my boyfriend has been ok around the pigs. However the past 2 nights and its happened at the time the pigs have come out his eyes have puffed up like mad, bright red and watering. he had to go to bed last night they were that bad.

I'm concerned that if its the pigs we are going to have to rehome them because i couldnt let ell cope like that. Plus we couldnt keep our pigs in the garden we live in a rough area and our garden is open plan on a busy walk through road so it wouldnt be safe.
 
My hubby is allergic to my pigs so that is one of the reason they are housed outdoors. He gets runny eyes, itchy and sneezes a lot. However, he has always been like this since we got them.
 
Claire W said:
My hubby is allergic to my pigs so that is one of the reason they are housed outdoors. He gets runny eyes, itchy and sneezes a lot. However, he has always been like this since we got them.
Click to expand...

thanks claire, sounds like what elliot was like.

not looking great to be honest it would be just our luck if he has developed an allergy :(
 
Yes, unfortunately you can develop allergies to pigs...

Where are the pigs kept? Maybe they could be kept in a diferent room? Sometimes it's the hay that causes the allergies. What are they bedded on? Some of the piggy allergens are in their wee and if you have lose bedding (like shavings or megazorb) the pigs kick it around and spread it.

http://www.cavyspirit.com/allergies.htm

I think this article has very good info! Read it! I hope you can find a solution to keep your piggies, you're obviously smitten with them :)
 
thanks for that info x. we keep them bedded on fleece. the pigs are kept in a little room next to our kitchen, the problem started when the pigs have come into the living room at night. elliot has given david some sudafed this morning and been ok, but I'm wondering if he is allergic to craig as craigs fur seems to come out more whereas davids doesnt and ell was stroking craig just before the problem started. x
 
There are ways and means around allergies so don't worry just yet. Chris only handles the pigs for a short period of time and doesn't handle them that often. He could also try taking antiretamines as they can sometimes help :)
 
Unfortunately allergies can develop even in people who have no history at all of sensitivity. If you think it may be Craig then you may have to kind of tempt fate a bit by waiting till Ell is clear then having some Craig-cuddles to see what happens.

Allow also for the fact that this is also one of the worst parts of the year for hay fever and that can also develop.

Presuming there is a sensitivty then don't forget you can try antihistamines and other environmental control paths (do a search for allergies to see lots of really good suggestions) before you have to consider rehoming.

Good luck x
 
You can get pet allergy wipes that sometimes help as it reduces the dander that comes off of their fur/skin, they might help.
 
thanks for this people. I'm a guinea pig disaster person ahhaha.

right were do i get these allergy wipes from? i think i will start with them and keep elliot away from craig for a bit see how that works out.

Its friday pig party night tonight though damn haha. i might still have my pig party but just not let ell touch craig.xx
 
some people are very allergic unfortunately, my other half's uncle was all delighted to see our piggies when we first got them, he loves animals. But he came out in a bad rash the next day :(

Hope you find a solution that works well for you
 
There is also Petal Cleanse, they do one that is for dogs cats and small pets

"PetalCleanse/C & D: (cat/small pet & dog) are pet cleansers that remove the allergens from the coat of the pet without the need for bathing. Used once per week every week."
 
I found a product at our suppliers today that says it is safe to use on Guinea Pigs and Rabbits, I have sent you a pm to ask for your address so I can send you it to try HTH
 
When I handle the shavings that I use in Dindy's pen I have to wash my hands as I am allergic to them, part of being a hayfever sufferer. If I touch my face before washing my hands, my eyes itch and skin can also itch too.
 
My boyfriend is allergic to Jamie but not Max. I feel their coats may be different and affect him in different ways. He's also the same with his nans cats. One makes him itchy - the other doesn't. He still loves to hold Jamie. Washing his hands afterwards seems to help a great deal.

Although he doesn't have it as bad as the streamy eyes that you mention. I've had that before (with rats) and its so awfully uncomfortable. Is there a chance that Elliot has rubbed his eyes after holding them?
 
JamiesMum said:
My boyfriend is allergic to Jamie but not Max. I feel their coats may be different and affect him in different ways. He's also the same with his nans cats. One makes him itchy - the other doesn't. He still loves to hold Jamie. Washing his hands afterwards seems to help a great deal.

Although he doesn't have it as bad as the streamy eyes that you mention. I've had that before (with rats) and its so awfully uncomfortable. Is there a chance that Elliot has rubbed his eyes after holding them?
Click to expand...

well elliot reckons he didnt rub his eyes but i reckon he probably did do without realising. iv kept him away from craig tonight and he has been ok. its his turn to clean the cage though tomorrow so we will see how that goes haha. i must admit i felt really sorry for him his eyes went really puffed xx
 
I've posted the allergy relief off to you today so hopefully you will get it on Monday and it will help in some way.
 
thanks very much i really appreciate this and so does elliot and I'm hoping we can get this problem under control so we can keep looking after our piggies x

craig and david say thank you to x :))
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top