Suspect I am allergic to something

[Jazzable]

I've had allergic rhinitis for several months. Over the summer, people kept trying to reassure me by saying it was probably hay fever, but I didn't think it was because it wasn't related to being outdoors. Now it's definitely not summer any more and I've still got sneezing and itchy, runny nose. So I can conclude it's not hay fever. The most likely explanation is that it's something to do with the gerbils. It could be the gerbils themselves, or maybe their bedding (aspen shavings, although I previously used regular shavings and the rhinitis didn't seem to change when I switched over).

Has anyone had an allergy test for gerbils and/or woodshavings? Is it possible to be tested for those things? If I am allergic to the bedding then it will be inconvenient but I can at least switch to something else. If I am allergic to the gerbils, I don't think I could bear to get rid of them. I'd just learn to live with the symptoms and start taking regular antihistamines! But I'd just like to know for sure, and I'm not sure how to find out apart from getting tested: and I'm not sure it's possible to get tested for these things.

[pyrotarukia]

You could go and see an allergy specialist, honestly they can test you for absolutely anything! My mum has always had nasal issues and the doctors could never figure out what it was they tried everything from 2 operations to nasal sprays and water circulation treatments. Well after years and years my mum finally went to an allergy specialist 2 years ago and found out that she was allergic to dust mites of all the things.. So she now is forever hoovering everything including the bed so she can breathe at night, not have runny noses and constant sneezing lol. They do tests as skin tests or as blood tests I think my mum had the skin tests though but it's amazing that they worked it out so I'm sure they'd be able to help you especially with that you have ideas of what it could be to help them with their testing.

[qtoffer]

I would try switching to a dust-free, non-allergenic bedding like EcoBedding. Stay away from aspen, CareFresh, and timothy hay for awhile and see if your symptoms improve. Allergy testing is very hit-or-miss - lots of false positives. My wife used to work in an ENT office as a biller. She said that most ENTs provide only the most basic surface skin allergy tests (dust mite, tree pollen, dog, cat, and such). For more accurate subcutaneous (needle) or blood allergy tests, you'd need to see an allergy specialist. An allergist will also be able to test for less common allergens like gerbil.

I've noticed that my own allergies have improved dramatically since moving into an apartment without wall-to-wall carpet. Even with twice a week vacuuming and air purifiers - I would suffer from frequent nosebleeds and dry barking coughing attacks. Carpets trap allergens that household vacuum cleaners can't get, as well as dead skin and hair fragments that provide a prime breeding ground for dust mites. My allergies have much improved after trading plush wall to wall for hardwood floors with a few low pile synthetic area rugs. I've gotten used to wearing socks and/or slippers in the cold weather months.
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Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper

[daisy]

I would suggest doing the following -

1. use non-allergic bedding,

2. run an air filter in the area where the gerbils are, 

3. vacuum often,

4. when you take them out, confine them to an area that is well ventilated

5. don't let them near your bed or sleeping area,

6. wear a mask when you clean their case or tank.

I am slightly allergic and that is what I do and it really helps.

Good luck.

Daisy 

[reesesturtles]

An allergist will be able to run tests to determine exactly what you are allergic to. My allergist determined I was NOT allergic to gerbils. But I was allergic to Aspen and Timothy hay, along with dust, dustmites, cats and dogs. Since I have two dogs and my apartment seemed like a dust trap, I wasn't surprised. He told me that what most people assume are outdoor allergies are actually indoor allergies.

I switched my gerbils to dust free kiln dried pine mixed with shredded newspaper for their bedding and a combination of oat hay and orchard grass. I would also get them bamboo, which they liked. For the rest, I relied on allergy shots, which have helped tremendously. And I still have my 2 dogs. Also, all of Daisy's suggestions are very good.

[Jazzable]

Thanks for all the helpful replies! I am going to make an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and see what happens.

Nov 28, 2014 18:35:58 GMT -8 qtoffer said:

I would try switching to a dust-free, non-allergenic bedding like EcoBedding. Stay away from aspen, CareFresh, and timothy hay for awhile and see if your symptoms improve. Allergy testing is very hit-or-miss - lots of false positives. My wife used to work in an ENT office as a biller. She said that most ENTs provide only the most basic surface skin allergy tests (dust mite, tree pollen, dog, cat, and such). For more accurate subcutaneous (needle) or blood allergy tests, you'd need to see an allergy specialist. An allergist will also be able to test for less common allergens like gerbil.

I've noticed that my own allergies have improved dramatically since moving into an apartment without wall-to-wall carpet. Even with twice a week vacuuming and air purifiers - I would suffer from frequent nosebleeds and dry barking coughing attacks. Carpets trap allergens that household vacuum cleaners can't get, as well as dead skin and hair fragments that provide a prime breeding ground for dust mites. My allergies have much improved after trading plush wall to wall for hardwood floors with a few low pile synthetic area rugs. I've gotten used to wearing socks and/or slippers in the cold weather months.
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Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper

Where can you buy EcoBedding?

[qtoffer]

I get EcoBedding at Pets Supplies Plus. It truly is dust free out of the bag.
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Arwen (F) and Eowyn (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper
Goldberry (F) 11/12/2011 - 20 gallon with 20 gallon topper

[lizb]

I second all of this. I have terrible allergies to well, everything, and swear by Eco-bedding. If you're in the states, PetSmart is having a sale on it today. (No, I don't work for them, I just got really excited to find the bigger bag for less than $12.)

[Jazzable]

I'm in the UK! Does anyone have a link to somewhere you can get it online in the UK? When I try to look it up, I get stuff that's meant for horses, which makes me think it's not the same thing. :S

[lizb]

Amazon has it. Other than that, I don't know.

[lucille]

You can look up "Crinkle paper" for packing and buy HUGE packed boxes of it for way less than the eco bedding but as long as you get the 'kraft' color option it's the same thing. I found this site for the UK as an example:

www.wbc.co.uk/shredded-paper-crinkle-cut-kraft-10kg

You'll notice that in the description it boasts the product is dust free : )