I've Been Getting Rashes From Being Near My Guinea Pigs

[Jump]

I know this really isn't a problem with the actual guinea pigs, but I really need some advice.
About a couple months ago, I started to get red itchy rashes and watery eyes whenever I either cleaned the pig's enclosure or touched them. I've tried to ignore it, but I'm worried I've perhaps developed an allergy? I don't even know if that could ever happen.
I haven't changed anything I've been doing since I got them about ten months ago, it just sort of started with no explanation.
Does anybody know a reason for this or if there's a way to stop it? I love the little tuffs, but a hand full of rashes whenever I touch them makes the experience pretty bitter sweet.

 

[Wiebke]

I know this really isn't a problem with the actual guinea pigs, but I really need some advice.
About a couple months ago, I started to get red itchy rashes and watery eyes whenever I either cleaned the pig's enclosure or touched them. I've tried to ignore it, but I'm worried I've perhaps developed an allergy? I don't even know if that could ever happen.
I haven't changed anything I've been doing since I got them about ten months ago, it just sort of started with no explanation.
Does anybody know a reason for this or if there's a way to stop it? I love the little tuffs, but a hand full of rashes whenever I touch them makes the experience pretty bitter sweet.

Hi! You are developing an allergy, which is not rare. Please enquire about anti-histamines at your pharmacy and avoid direct skin contact. A number of forum members (me included) are allergic to either hay or the guinea pigs (the usual allergen is not the hairs, but usually urine particles, which are also present on the coat).

Thankfully, for me it is mostly hay fever/hay dust but I get hives from contact with guinea pigs without anti-histamines.

 

[Evenfall Rose]

What kind of hay are you using? It may not actually be the guinea pigs themselves. I know I am definitely hypersensitive to timothy hay (and from what I've read, a lot of people are as well), so if it's available for you, try a different kind of hay. I do much better with orchard grass -- perhaps you could try feeding them that? I also try and be really good about washing my hands right after I've cleaned cages or touched hay, which helps. You might find an air purifier to be helpful too.

 

[Eriathwen]

As above, I'm very allergic to timothy hay, ours get meadow and orchard hay which dont cause nearly as much of a reaction in me. When I clean them out I use a face mask and gloves, I try to have long sleeved tops on when I handle them too or wash my hands and arms as soon as I put them back, along with taking anti-histimines. I find the discomfort totally worth it to have the furtatoes as part of the family

 

[Reenie]

Are we ALL allergic? I get itchy eyes and a runny nose if I spend a long time in the piggy room, so I leave the windows open all the time unless it's especially cold, and take over the counter antihistamines if it starts.

 

[Merab]

I’m not allergic - so sorry for those of you who are.
My sister is allergic to the fur which I only found out when after giving fluffy Merab a cuddle she developed red streaming eyes.

She said it was worth it to cuddle Merab

 

[Pigwhisperer]

I expected to develop an allergy, not because I'm pessimistic but I'm what the doctors call "atopic" - I have asthma, eczema and allergies. I'm allergic to cats, which didn't start until I was 19, so I knew it was likely my immune system would react to the piggies too.

I think it was over a year after we had them that I first noticed itchy eyes after I'd been with them. Also if I get a scratch from their claws it tends to swell & be very itchy.

I take antihistamines daily for a hayfever-type thing that makes my eyes stream so that probably helps.

I manage my cat allergy, not by avoiding households with cats but by keeping my hands away from my eyes, taking my asthma inhaler if I need to & changing my outer layer of clothing when I come home if I've been in contact with cats (and I do love them!) So I'm managing my piggy allergy in a similar way. They live outside but when they come in for lap cuddles I'll have a towel on my lap to try not to get too much allergen on my clothes and I'm strict about washing my hands.