Piggies causing nasty rash

[Bubble&Squeak]

Hi, sorry, I know we're supposed to be talking about our Piggie's health here but I wanted to know if anyone else's guinea pigs cause them to come out in a rash when they handle them?

My two older pigs caused me a slight rash but my new two babies are terrible!

I forgot to put a long sleeve top on again today before I got Bubble and Squeak out. I had them sitting on my lap in turn and, being the hyperactive little devils they are they were running all over the place and I had to keep catching them in my arms.

After a few minutes my arms came out in a rash - raised lumps on my skin a bit like heat rash, that went a slightly red colour and became really itchy. I couldn't help but scractch my arms they were that bad and as a result they are now really sore and covered in scratches.

At first I thought it was the sawdust but I've changed their bedding to hay. They're bathed regularly with proper guinea pig shampoo so they don't have any mites or anything like that.

I guess the answer is to keep my arms covered when I handle them. Just wondered if anyone else suffered from it. My arms look terrible after just minutes of holding my piggies!

 

[daleksarah]

my daughter has a slight allergy with symptoms like yours after shes held my fluffy pigs although i am unsure if its them shes allergic too or their urine which could be on their nails.you could try wiping their feet before holding them but it could also be the hay you are allergic to.my advice is do not let them touch your bare skin ,keep your arms covered when holding them,but if you do come out in a rash we have a tea tree oil cream which gets rid of it fast.

 

[Furries]

Poor you - being allergic to something you love.

I know this is going to sound barmy, but I take Echinacea because I'm allergic to my friend's cats. I found this advice online, tried it, and it does seem to work. You can get 'A. Vogel' (best make) Echinacea drops from a health food shop or online. I take them 2-weeks on, 3-days off. However, I don't tend to need it in the Summer, because the doors and windows tend to be open a lot; this won't help you though of course. Having said that though, my allergy to them hasn't been as bad this Winter.

 

[Henry & Chips]

This happened to my wife after having our pigs for 3 years. Suddenly a rash every time she picked them up! She didn't hold them for a few weeks and tried again, and it seems better now. Time will tell... @)

 

[Wiebke]

Go to the vets - you can get medication for it.

 

[alcesterpigs]

"Go to the vets - you can get medication for it."

Better still go to your doctor and asked to be referred for sensitivity tests.

 

[Hoggle*&*Ludo]

I had the same problem on my neck, they like to hide under my hair during cuddles rolleyes and once I had put them back, Hoggle in particular, I came up all red and bumpy but it has strangely stopped now. inbreeding

 

[pig in the city]

It sounds like nettle rash or urticaria. over the counter antihistamines work (for hay fever). It is best if you take them every day to prevent the rash. There is always a risk that the allergy could worsen if you continue to handle guinea pigs or it may be a reaction to their bedding. Best to talk to your GP. Hope it settles down soon...

 

[pig in the city]

It sounds like nettle rash or urticaria. over the counter antihistamines work (for hay fever). It is best if you take them every day to prevent the rash. There is always a risk that the allergy could worsen if you continue to handle guinea pigs or it may be a reaction to their bedding. Best to talk to your GP. Hope it settles down soon...

 

[piggyme234]

Might it have something to do with the sharpness of the claws. The allergen, urine or whatever, is probably on their claws but the younger ones scratch more so it gets in your skin. I have had a similar reaction to my sisters rats and it starts off in the little scratches. Long sleves is a good idea and perhaps filing their nails a bit might make some difference.