Red Rashes

[cavy_13]

Do you get red rashes after having your guinea pig nosing under your chin? I do. Are they caused by mites? What can I do to cure it?

 

[Katie]

Do you get red rashes after having your guinea pig nosing under your chin? I do. Are they caused by mites? What can I do to cure it?

No and no. You are probably having allergic reactions.

 

[TheQueen]

No, I don't. As Katie said, you're probably mildly allergic. My friend is allergic, but not so bad that she can't have pigs. Instead, she just puts up with the rashes, and the watery eyes she sometimes gets from them.

 

[divine53]

Does this only happen when you touch the guinea pigs? Many people are actually allergic to their hay or bedding. Sometimes changing to a different bedding may take care of the problem.
Are you allergic to other animal fur or dander or other items that you know of?

 

[pennick]

I break out in certain areas when my guinea pigs are on my skin. If they are near my neck I break out with a rash. If they nibble on my arms I get little bumps. It goes away in a couple of minutes. Very itchy though. Just allergy.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I have allergies too. Try seeing if you are allergic to the hay or bedding, or the actual pigs. Then see if you can get any meds.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Well, I know of a few people who are allergic to their pigs when/if they have mites.

 

[fourbwabbys]

I sometimes get small bumps on my arms after handling them. They go away in minutes and only itch a little.

 

[kebboli]

Maybe just try and wash your face and arms and stuff right after handling them too.

 

[smoot]

I am slightly allergic to my pigs so I just use a 1% hydrocortisone cream afterwards on the itchy areas. I use Visine-A (antihistamine and redness relief) for the itchy eyes and it works almost instantly. The generic cream is about $2 but the Visine is over $7 here! Also, I've tried taking Claritin before handling my pigs to see if it'll prevent the rash but it doesn't seem to help. Before you try any of these products, though, you should make sure it's safe for you to use them.