Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject: Rash on face..!
So yesterday I started getting a rash on my face. It first appeared under my eyes. Three big spots. I thought maybe it was the cream I was using..I bought new cream and face wash on thursday. I started using it thursday evening.The rash appeared yesterday. So I have no idea if it is that or not..we also got a little rabbit friend on thursday. One of my friends is gone away so we are minding her rabbit.
My face is really itchy especially under my chin. I stopped using the cream yesterday morning when I first noticed the rash. And I just cleaned out the rabbit cage..Do you guys think it could be the rabbit? About half an hour after I cleaned it out I looked in the mirror and my face is covered in a red, blotchy rash! It is all over my face. Agh!
I think it is the rabbit because I have been using the cream for 2 days without any problems and after just being near the rabbit my face breaks out with a rash.
Does anyone have any tips on how I can sort this rash? My mother told me to take phenergan. And I was going to put sudocrem on it. Do you think that will work if it is an allergy to rabbits?
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
It could be anything but may well be the rabbit... you could try some anti histermine (sp?) but surely if you avoid the rabbit (if thats possible) then the rash should go
I will be staying away from it from now on! My eyes are now watering and itchy and I am sneezing so I think it is the rabbit..I cannot wait until he goes home XD
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
Hiya Sarah, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!!! This is an article I've just Googled....I think what you have done is spread allergens over your face from the Rabbit.......Anyway,read this article...........
The caller on the help line is in tears. "My doctor says I'm allergic to my rabbit and I have to get rid of her. I love her so much. Can you find a good home for her?"
These calls are heartbreaking. It's true that the easiest allergy treatment is to remove the triggering agent. But this ignores the importance of companion animals to our health and well being. Our fosterers' experiences show that allergy sufferers can live safely and happily with rabbits and other pets.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies are part of the body's normal response to fighting infections. Sometimes the immune system becomes hyperstimulated and reacts to agents that normally are ignored. Common allergens include dust mites, cockroaches, and plant pollens. Allergies to animals are often caused by the saliva proteins left on the fur after licking and not the fur itself. Touching the fur transfers these proteins to our fingertips, and then to the face, eyes and nose. In turn, these entrances into our body are lined with immune cells ready to respond to any invaders.
For some people the proteins on rabbit fur are considered dangerous invaders, prompting the immune system to mount a full scale defense. Watery eyes and dripping nose try to wash away these proteins. The airway constricts in response to hormones such as histamines, which recruit more immune cells to the invasion site. This response is beneficial when the invader is influenza. A response to rabbits or other companion animals can instead cause misery and trouble. For several of our fos-terers, the inconvenience of allergies is far outweighed by love for our companions. Discussed here are strategies that HRS fosterers successfully use to minimize these discomforts.
What Am I Really Allergic To?
The first step is to determine whether you're truly allergic to your rabbit. Physicians sometimes jump the gun in blaming an animal, and allergy tests can overestimate a person's sensitivities. Use your best judgment and common sense. Be a detective. Rule out "suspected criminals" one by one. Is it bunnies or dust bunnies that make you sneeze? The hay tub with its pollen and dust? Frequent cleaning greatly reduces allergies.
Living with Rabbit Allergies
What if the worst happens and you're allergic to your rabbit? The most important step is to minimize triggering those allergies. A few people may need to find their rabbit a new home; for severe asthmatics, a strong reaction can be life-threatening. For the majority of allergy sufferers, including several HRS fosterers, extra effort lets us share our homes for years to come.
Minimize direct contact. Never touch your face after handling your rabbit or items she contacts. Always wash hands (and don't forget eyeglasses!) after visiting her. Have someone else clean her cage with the room's door closed; if you must clean it, wear a mask and/or special clothes. Immediately remove soiled litter and hay from the house.
Restrict your rabbit's territory. This reduces the spread of rabbit allergens in the house. Use baby gates to restrict her to certain rooms. This also makes cleaning easier.
Have rabbit-free rooms. Set aside at least one room in the home where the rabbit never visits, a safe area where the immune system isn't stimulated. Your bedroom should be one of these rooms, because so much time is spent there.
Clean frequently! Dust and vacuum often, not just furniture but door frames, window ledges, lamps and curtains. Damp mop wooden floors, especially under beds and furniture. Reduce clutter. Keep hay in a tub, or try a different type of hay; some find misting the hay with water can be helpful in reducing dust. Store hay in a garage or location where you infrequently go. Many people find that their supposed rabbit allergy is actually caused by hay and dust mites.
Invest in air filtration units. The best are HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration units, which pull microscopic dust, fur and other particles from the air. Although expensive, these filters are an excellent investment and improve the lives of many allergy sufferers. Minimally, run a HEPA filter full-time in your rabbit-free bedroom with the door closed; place additional units in other rooms, including the rabbit room. Central air systems with electrostatic filters are also helpful. Clean or change the filters regularly.
Try allergy neutralizers. Products such as "AllerPet" and "AllerPet/C" are liquids/sprays which are applied regularly to fur and neutralize some of the fur allergens. Shampoo formulations are not recommended as many rabbits are stressed by baths. These products work, but are expensive and must be used regularly. An alternative is daily brushing (preferably outside) and wiping fur with a damp cloth. These products are not substitutes for previous recommendations.
Seek allergy medication. Nasal sprays containing anti-inflammatory steroids are excellent for controlling severe allergies. These drugs suppress the local immune system in eyes and nose before the allergy is triggered. Others have good success with allergy desensitization shots; ask whether you can use your rabbit's own fur. For myself, regular use of nasal steroid sprays almost completely suppressed my allergies to pollen, guinea pigs and cats; now I need it rarely. Consult a sympathetic doctor and find products that work for you.
It's true that these suggestions require effort. Given our rabbits' unconditional love, it's the least we can do in return.
____________ Lots of labby licks,Julian and Kenko
"The loneliness of deception" Chimpanzee study 2011
It may not necessarily be the rabbit, it could be its bedding, sawdust/hay/straw, all san be dusty specially the sawdust of course and be an irritant, the only way you`d know for certain is to see a doc and check tested.
Thanks guys! I figured it might not be the hay or saw dust because I work with it everyday =)
I have asthma so a lot of things irritate me. Like our cats always leave my eyes watery. But I have never got a rash before! It seems to be calming down now and it is not so itchy. I am lucky the dogs do not affect me!
I also have ringworm above my knee. At first I thought it was that because it started as a circle but now it is nothing like ringworm.
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
Take an anti-histamine every day while you have the rabbit. I take a Benadryl every day as I'm allergic to our cats. Having a bad allergy to something could bring on an asthma attack, so better to be safe
____________ Owned by Bella, Shadow & Cats ....
Never forgetting Harry : 18/01/11 - 14/05/11 RIP
Phenergan is an OK antihistamine - but tends to be used more for it's sedating effects at night to stop scratching.
For more 'instant' allergies, I always carry Piriton around with me - you can buy it in any pharmacy - but be aware it does cause drowsiness in some people - particularly if you are not used to it
But my throat is still sore and my eyes still itchy so as soon as a chemist opens I will get something. I hate anything that makes me drowsy but if there is nothing else I will probably take it at night. Just because when I am sick I take Maxalon and it makes me really drowsy and depressed
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
But my throat is still sore and my eyes still itchy so as soon as a chemist opens I will get something. I hate anything that makes me drowsy but if there is nothing else I will probably take it at night. Just because when I am sick I take Maxalon and it makes me really drowsy and depressed
My mum swears by Sudocrem - personally I find it hurts me like hell - good job we are all different.
I really would get some Piriton - having lifelong allergies, there are not many antihistamines I haven't tried - and Piriton are brilliant for dampening down sore eyes and a scratchy throat
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