Allergies and Caring for Reptiles

[Twiggz]

Ok, well i'm at a bit of a loss this morning- had a meeting with a specialist this morning who advised me that my blood count (white cells) were likely falling as a result of a possible allergy to something.

We sat down and wrote out things that i did often and picked out those which were possible causes.........crickets and woodies is our best guess at this stage.

He told me to get rid of them, but in doing so i would either have to go back to spending a fortune on purchases them (as opposed to now breeding and paying nothing) or GET RID OF THE ANIMALS THAT CONSUME THEM..........not happening!!!

What i'm looking for are ways i can work around the issue, i have read in past threads of people reacting to woodies and i'd very much like to here from them as to how they cope.

Open to all suggestions regarding me keeping my collection in tact!!

I've suggested a dust mask for when i clean (which is where i commonly flair up) but not sure as to how well it will work.

Thoughts??

 

[swingonthespiral]

So sorry to hear that mate that'd be horrible...

Maybe get a second opinion first???

Sorry i can't be of any help....

 

[Twiggz]

Its nothing really serious. More of a long term precautionary step.
Dont think a second opinion would help......to be honest i think he really hit the nail on the head.

I'm just hoping some other people who react to this sort of stuff can shed a bit of light my way...... i wouldn't be the only one.

 

[Magpie]

Someone, JasonL maybe? is allergic to the mites that live in cricket and woody set-ups.
Maybe they will see this post cause I can't remember what it was they said they do.

 

[Magpie]

Here it is

JasonL

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The only problem with breeding bugs is the mite. Not reptile mite, but smaller types like fodder mite. I am highly allergic to mite so I had to kill off my bug breeding now I buy weekly and clean out in between orders.
__________________

 

[Chris1]

i'm breeding giant south american mealworms @ the moment, i use them as treats, but they use them as a staple in the US.

is there a chance you'd be less allergic to them?

 

[Chris1]

oh, and another though, i've heard of alot of people being allergic to crickets, but less to roaches, maybe try ditching the crickets for a while and see how u handle just roaches,..?!

 

[hornet]

mealworms are no good for regular feeding, causes impaction, the only think i know that they use them for as a staple in the us are scorpions and spiders, all the beardies breeders i know over there uses crickets. Could you just find a cheap source for bugs?

 

[Chris1]

teh giant mealworms have a less chitinous shell than the small ones, and are apparently not a risk to older dragons. tehyre still higher in fat that what i'd use as a staple though (since i have a choice),...but plenty of dragons do well on them

 

[hornet]

yea your right, less risk to older dragons but still a risk, they are also very high in fat

 

[Twiggz]

For me to ditch breeding the cricket/woodies would be financially painful.
It was this that motivated me to push forward the quest to successfully breed them.

Once a week i got out (spend bout 3hrs) and clean all woodie/cricket tubs, clean tanks and feed.Been trying to do it at night lately as it impacts me less. Usually the next day i find i'm really congested in the nose, sneeze heaps etc.

Your right magpie....JasonL was who i thought.

 

[Chris1]

try cleaning them on seperate nights and see which one congests you more?

 

[Twiggz]

Yeah its not just beardies i have thought. While i have quite a few at present they will be down sized at years end all going well. But i also have various gecko species to worry about, diff sizes to. And i dont think meal worm would be great for them.

 

[salebrosus]

My father and i have sensitive skin and allergies too. My father can not handle my Land Mullet and King Skink without his eyes swelling up and getting itchy. We have found that there is something in their outdoor pit that causes an irritation, more than likely some sort of grass or pollen that has gotten in there. Either way- it means that only i handle those ones. I also find that i get allergies from the rats and mice. So, i usually use latex gloves or wash my hands very quickly after handling their food or cleaning their cages.

Simone.

 

[Twiggz]

I'd probably flair up more often doing that though Chris1.

 

[Twiggz]

Yeah looking to use gloves from now on also.

 

[Chris1]

wear one of those filtered dusk masks while u clean/feed them?

just a thought, i'd hate to have to go back to buying food.

 

[Twiggz]

Will do everything possible to avoid going back to buying food.
Filtered mask is on the cards.

Keep it coming guys, i'd really like to hear more for suggestions and personal experiences.

Thanks for everyones inputs to- great help

 

[JasonL]

HaHaHaHa Twiggz I feel for ya mate! I've been hiding the true identity of my allergic reactions from my wife for years, though she knows I'm highly allergic to dust mite (and seemingly most other mite) she does not realise that mites are in with the crickets ( My wife is medically trained and i'd be collecting stamps if she found out). Have you had bloods done? to find out what your alleric too, as they test for mites, grasses and other common causes and give you a rating of 1 - 6 (6 being the worst). As for fodder mite, keep your bugs as dry as you can as mite thrive in himidity, but to be honest, I'd give up on the breeding of the bugs.

 

[nuthn2do]

Suggest you contact RPA allergy unit http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/ and get the once over. If you continue to expose yourself it may become a life threatening condition.