Guinea Pig Mites or Allergy

[Madisonmc]

Hi!
I’ve noticed the past couple months, sometimes when I reach in to get hay, hold my piggies without a long sleeve, or hold them to my chest to trim their nails, I get a small rash that goes away within 15 minutes. They’re showing no signs of being itchy or having any skin irritation.
Does anyone else have a similar experience that knows if I should take them to the vet to check for mites or if it’s more likely I just have a mild allergy to their hay?
Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!
I’ve noticed the past couple months, sometimes when I reach in to get hay, hold my piggies without a long sleeve, or hold them to my chest to trim their nails, I get a small rash that goes away within 15 minutes. They’re showing no signs of being itchy or having any skin irritation.
Does anyone else have a similar experience that knows if I should take them to the vet to check for mites or if it’s more likely I just have a mild allergy to their hay?
Thank you!

Hi and welcome!

It is you who is gradually developing an allergy to your guinea pigs (most usually it is to urine particles in their hair); it is not a health issue of theirs. Allergies tend to build up; especially skin allergies.

Hay usually just causes hay fever or can make any asthma worse. Without constant antihistamines, I would suffer badly from hay fever because I am allergic to hay pollen and from hives due to contact with my guinea pigs. Thankfully, I can get away with comparatively low level medication that has been stable for decades.