I'm allergic to my guinea pig's hay

[WombleandBear]

3 weeks ago I brought home my two boys, Womble and Bear. Whilst I love them dearly my respiratory system isn't coping very well with their hay and I'm getting a cough, sore eyes and an itchy throat. I've been taking anti-allergens but I need a long term solution. I've heard air purifiers can help but I don't really know about them. Has anyone else got any experience with this? Thank you

 

[VickiA]

I take a daily anti histamine to deal with my allergy to the piggies and their hay.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m allergic to hay too. I take an antihistamine daily and wear cotton gloves when my hands flare up. It’s a real pain, I sympathise with you x

 

[piggieminder]

My OH is allergic to hay, when I'm away and he has to look after the piggies he does as the above posters. We have also found Timothy Hay is much worse for him than Meadow Hay, it would be worth you experimenting with different hays.

 

[Bill & Ted]

My OH is allergic to hay, when I'm away and he has to look after the piggies he does as the above posters. We have also found Timothy Hay is much worse for him than Meadow Hay, it would be worth you experimenting with different hays.

Yes I think you are right about hays, some are worse than others!

 

[Eriathwen]

I've all but banished timothy hay from my house, unless someone is ill and needs a treat, or if I see it cheap and forget that I enjoy breathing when I stick to meadow, orchard, oat and mountain hay I dont have nearly as much of an issue.
An air purifier will help as will wearing a face mask during cleaning out. I also wear gloves and long sleeves as it effects my skin.

 

[Robin_]

I agree, orchard grass is much easier on allergies in our house, too. Definitely worth a shot if you aren’t using it already.

 

[WombleandBear]

My OH is allergic to hay, when I'm away and he has to look after the piggies he does as the above posters. We have also found Timothy Hay is much worse for him than Meadow Hay, it would be worth you experimenting with different hays.

Maybe thats why Its so bad then! I normally don't get allergies this bad so It could be the timothy

 

[artcasper]

I feel your pain as i suffer too.. anti histamine and holding my breath when handling seems to help... which is not great lol but at least I am only a tiny bit allergic to the actual piggies - only seems to be one though... weird!

 

[Sweet Potato]

I'm only allergic to Timothy hay but my sister in law is only allergic to meadow hay so I stick to a half and half mixture. It's not that bad now that I don't sleep in the same room as my piggies. I suggest trying a range of hays some will probably be better than others.

 

[alpacasqueak]

I feel your pain as i suffer too.. anti histamine and holding my breath when handling seems to help... which is not great lol but at least I am only a tiny bit allergic to the actual piggies - only seems to be one though... weird!

How strange, same here! Aliona my newbie, something with her hair makes me come out in a rash and get a sneeze on! White piggies do seem to get me a bit itchy (funny as Rupert was all white and Jess is mainly!) but she really sets me off, normally have to pull the Piriton out when we’ve had a cuddle!