Allergy Issue

[JLeigh]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some ideas on what to do here. I own 3 guinea pigs. None of us in the household are allergic to them. However, my father has been progressively developing a severe allergy to them -to the point where we cannot even visit him without him getting asthma. I assume it's because of dander getting on our clothing, etc. I have spent the last 2 hours Googling for a product (preferably a natural-type one) that can help me with this. I can't just stop visiting my family, but I can't keep making my father ill, either. Is there some sort of product out there that I could spray on our clothing before visiting that would neutralize the pet dander? Thanks much!

[JLeigh]

Hmmm. Have I been going about this all wrong? I just now found this snippet of info on About Pet Dander Allergies

[FONT=arial, helvetica]Other pets[/FONT]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]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 for children and laboratory animal workers. Horse and cow skin scales can be allergenic to those exposed to them. Birds carry allergy-provoking mites, molds and pollen on their feathers. Budgie droppings can release proteins into the air which induce insidious lung problems and asthma.[/FONT]

Can anyone here more knowledgeable than I am confirm this? And if this is correct, how would I deal with that effectively as opposed to dealing with dander? Thanks for any help you can give!

[pigsforlife]

Your father is probably not allergic to their hair, but the proteins in their urine and salive. Hair however, is great for picking up these proteins so a good start would be to remove the hair off you before visit your father. You can either completley change your clothes, or you can purchase a pet hair removal sticky rollers (pictured here Two sticky rollers and seven refills by Caraselle from eDirectory.co.uk online shop). There are of course other pet hair removal objects, but these I find the most effective personally.

Also read through this article http://www.cavyspirit.com/allergies.htm

[guineapigluver1]

Like pigsforlife said, I suggest completely changing your clothes, and washing your hands, or use a pet hair removal sticky roller, before visiting your father.