How can i suddenly become allergic to rats?

Question

Hi,my 2 old female rats died this year and so i got 2 new baby ones but the problem is is that i seem to be allergic to them? How is that possible? I even had an asthma attack when i was in the same room as them for less then 10 mins. Iv never had asthma in my life! Its awful cos i cant get near them to tame them! Im also 12weeks pregnant,could that have anything to do with it? I also sneeze whenever im around them and my eyes water. HELP!

Answer 1

Anyone can become allergic to anything at any given time.

Animal, feather, creams...

They come out of no where- you're not just born with allegeries.

Find a medication you can take for allergies whilst pregnant, but sometimes they don't work very well.

Answer 2

like the things said about mouse f***s, be careful!

it could harm the pregnancy.

rat and mouse f***s carries something in it and it isn't good to breath in. Almost like cat f***s.

good luck and congratulations.

Answer 3

I had that happen to me, I had my guinea pig Riley for 2 whole years before I somehow became allergic to not only him, but also his waste, his timothy hay and his pine shavings! putting me at around a 4 for each thing, made me extremely allergic to him. I had to rehome him:*(

I dont know about being pregnant having anything to do with it. You could get put on some allergy medication, something safe to take while your pregnant. Benadryl just is not strong enough for me, and if i take more than one pill I SO tired I cant get anything done.

Maybe it's something in his/her cage, and not the rat, have you added anything new? ? Or something in the room that he is in?

I hope you can find some way to keep them, rats are such great pets

OR!!!!! I know!

Maybe your allergic to the litter that they used in the pet store (Carefresh is good to use for our allergy purposes as well as low or no dust for the ratties)

I think you should bathe them to get all the leavings from the petstore cages first before you do anything. You can use a small amount of dawn, worked really well for cutting through those greasy boy coats! Or puppy shampoo will also work.

Answer 4

Allergies can be mild to severe; some may so mild that they may not be so noticeable, in normal circumstances, but pregnancy can heighten the influence of allergies. Pregnancy is a time of intense change within the female body. Hormones have a profound influence on the immune system, and allergic reactions may be affected by these changes. The allergy triggering potential of the immune system may also be heightened during the pregnancy. Asthma for example may become worse with frequent attacks, and may even occur for the first time during pregnancy. Nasal allergies also often occur for the first time during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers are prone to nasal blockage and irritating nasal symptoms and increased nasal discharge.

If you have become allergic to them you don’t even have to handle them, for them to cause a reaction, just being in the same room is enough. It is not the fur you have to worry about. One of the major causes of allergic reactions to animals is not the hair / fur, but what’s actually under it. Small scales from the skin, hair of the animal, are known as dander. Dander occurs naturally as the epidermis renews itself. This is very similar to dandruff on humans, but only much smaller. Dander can have allergic reactions to sensitive individuals, it is small, and light, and can remain airborne for very long periods of time. The animal’s hair / fur is not considered to be a very significant allergen.

With rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs the most important sources of allergens are the saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic reactions.

Answer 5

well... when my mam was 14/15 she became allergic to all animals she whent to the doctors for a skin scrape of every animal, dogs cats birds ect and she was aleric to the alot i dont know how it can just happen like that though. but good luck =)