I believe I'm allergic, but not Red's fault of course

[Pat Shields]

Tonight I put Redemption in a smaller dog carrier and brought him into the living room while I am watching television, trying to stimulate his mind, you know. I covered myself with a towel and took him out of the carrier for about 10 minutes at a time, then put him back in so he could wee (and he did) and then I'd take him back out. I do believe he snuggled, at least that's what it felt like. However, the one time he went up to my neck and shoulders to check out my hair, my throat got so scratchy that I had to put him back down lower. Now my wrists and neck are itching. When I interact with him in the bigger cage and put my face at his level I always start coughing and it scares him a little. SOooooooooo, I do believe I'm allergic. It's not Red's fault, though, and it isn't like it is a 24/7 problem, only when my face is in proximity. I'll just change my approach and not let him above my chest and not put my face on his level. All seems to be right as long as he stays lower.

Here's a closeup photo of his hair growing out; he actually has curls.

 

[CandyFloss]

Awww thats a shame. As long as you know how you can manage it and not let it get too bad thats good though. His hair is lovely
x

 

[Amanda1801]

I'm very allergic to all animals, not just furry ones - I'm even allergic to reptiles!

You might find that a low dose over the counter antihistamine can get rid of your symptoms - used to work well for me (until my immune system went into overdrive!), and you can also get topical antihistamine creams too that calm the itching down.

The places that get itchy first for me, are the areas of "delicate" skin - like you said, face/neck, chest, insides of arms etc.

I'm currently on 6 types of medication for my allergies - but I'm not giving up my animals!

 

[Sharon.Mackay]

Take some antihistame, i get a bit snuffly with the hay and find a stores own brand antihistamine works. I take the piriton alternative but play around till you find one for you Xx
what a gorgeous piggy x)x)x)

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I used to have a permanent patch of eczema on my neck when Peaches, my Aby virtually lived there :red It was itchy but I wouldn't call it an allergy as such, & nothing a tube of hydrocortisone didn't sort, I am a bit allergic to hay as well as I suffer from hayfever but nothing on this earth would have stopped me having them

 

[gizmo01]

emma my OH is allergic to teddy breeds they bring her out in a rash where humphrey has been sitting so she'll just take piriton mot will work though

 

[HairlessWillow7]

I'm allergic to the teddy breeds (even though I have 7 teddy's! rolleyes). They give me a rash, but it's defiantly manageable.

 

[hallie2985]

Is it Red or the hay you're allergic to? I'm hugely allergic to hay, so my piggies make me itchy, but it's definitely the hay that's the cause. Rose and Basil are bedded on hay, while Bumble and Sooty are just on megazorb with hay racks, and the two girls make me less itchy than the happy couple. Basil has megazorb retention issues, which is why he and Rose have an additional layer of hay.

When the piggies are freshly bathed I don't have any problem, so it's definitely not them causing the problem.

In terms of prophylaxis, an antihistamine is always a good start. I take one daily, and really notice the difference if I skip a dose (I should add that I get mine on prescription, as I have multiple other allergies).

It may be worth speaking to a healthcare professional for advice if Red is making you tight chested; they may be able to offer advice on medications etc. Your pharmacist is a good place to start if you want to avoid going to the doctor's unnecessarily.

Hayley

 

[piggyfan]

Oh you poor thing. I am also allergic to animals. I have a severe allergy to dogs but with my girls I am fine if I take a hay fever tablet. Boots do one for a pound which is just as good as the more expensive brands. I hope that can help you.

 

[piggyme234]

Cleaning the hutches makes me sneeze and sniffle but it goes away as soon as I have finished. My OHs mum comes out all itchy if the pigs are on her skin so she just covers up before she holds them. I come out in a similar rash when I hold my sisters rats.

 

[Pat Shields]

I'm currently on 6 types of medication for my allergies - but I'm not giving up my animals!

God bless and keep you, Amanda. It bothers me terribly when people abandon their animals and use allergies as an excuse. When it is legitimate, like the baby's eyes swell shut or there is trouble breathing, I can understand it; but then again, a conscientious person, when they find out such is the case, is not likely to get another animal so they break the cycle. But being a contributor to a local animal shelter, I see too many people get tired of the responsibility or never develop love in the first place and drop their animals off claiming allergies. So God bless you for your tenacity. I, too, am not giving up my animals no matter what sort of itching there is.

Is it Red or the hay you're allergic to?

Definitely not the hay; I go out and cut it myself and bundle it up and bring it back to the house and sort it out and give it to Red all with no problems.

I take the piriton alternative

We don't have the brand here, but we do have the drug (chlorphenamine maleate). I haven't taken it in many years (right now I take Benadryl, which is diphenhydramine hydrochloride), but we have it here under the trade name of Coricidin HBP, so I think it is time to go out and get some and see if that works for the guinea pig itches and coughs.

emma my OH is allergic to teddy breeds

Interesting. Redemption started out looking something like a Texel type, and he still might be one, as his long hair is getting curlier, but I think his hair might be getting fluffy somewhat like a Teddy's. That might have something to do with it, eh?

 

[guineagurl]

oh! Don't give him up though. There are many ways to control it. Love his hair!

 

[Rilenceny]

I am allergic to fur too, plus asthma. And I guess I'm glad I still get to keep so many pets!

 

[Glynis]

Pat i am allergic to pet hair also........ i was a bit worried when my girl Velvet ended up with loooong hair.....but as long as i'm careful (or take some meds) i can handle it no probs.........then i have problems with our dog Bella her hair gets me going also........Tommy the budgie did at first but i seem to have adjusted to him...........

Good on you for realising, but then coping xx>>>