Allergies Help me I’m allergic

[stephybond]

Hey guys .. I have a Guinea girl KIKI PEARL.. I noticed when I hug and hold her and kiss her (when she lets me because she’s mean) I get so itchy in my chest and neck but my hands arms and face don’t. I even break out in hives but within the hour they are gone ! I guess I’m allergic but no way am I getting rid of her!? Any suggestions? Why am I only itchy on my chest and neck but not hands and arms ? Someone help :/ I love her mean self

 

[Guinea Pig Papa]

Its a lot more likely that you're allergic to her hay, rather than her. Are you feeding her Western Timothy Hay? The very first change I would make is to start feeding her Orchard grass hay, and see how much of a difference it makes. Be sure to thoroughly clean her cage, bedding and everywhere else to remove all traces of the other hay.

It's called, "hay fever" for a reason!

 

[bpatters]

Ditto @Guinea Pig Papa. And give her a bath before you put her in the cage with the new hay.

 

[spy9doc]

And I agree with you both. When we first got our piggies around 2011, the new piggies and cage resided in the living room near the sofa. Within 2-3 days, my highly allergic husband had the worst attack he could remember!

We immediately moved them into my small home office where they will probably reside for the remainder of our lives. I now primarily work from home and I love having a cagemate throughout the day.

I got rid of the hay and substituted pressed hay for about a week until I could find a solution. We initially used bluegrass hay until the only reputable source went out of business. I then switched to orchard grass hay which is still the hay of choice.

Gary subsequently was tested and sure enough was NOT allergic to the cavies themselves. Point made??