Allergy to hamsters in children and adults, symptoms

Allergies are a common phenomenon that people sometimes have to deal with when interacting with pets. Allergic reactions often occur among cats and dogs, but medical practice also talks about other participants in the domestic menagerie. Allergies to rodents living in the house as pets are no longer rare. Is there an allergy to hamsters in children or adults, and how to deal with it? We’ll tell you below, without missing a single detail.

What causes allergies?

There are many opinions about whether it is possible to be allergic to hamsters, but they are often incorrect, since the vast majority of pet owners believe that allergic reactions occur when they come into contact with their pet's fur. Veterinarians remind about the biological environment, because the urine and saliva of a hamster, including the Djungarian, poses no less a danger for the manifestation of allergies. The outer particles of the skin, as well as the saliva of dogs and cats, contain a protein that causes high sensitivity in allergy sufferers with all that it entails. Hamsters are somewhat different: allergies to Djungarian and any other rodents are provoked by a protein contained in the urine, saliva, sweat glands and on the skin scales of the animal.

It is worth noting that Syrian hamsters and their brothers are not hypoallergenic. Even certain breeds of hairless rodents can lead to the development of allergic reactions. When intending to get a pet, it is better to find out in advance whether the adult or child with whom he will live is allergic to hamsters.

You can conduct a laboratory test at a specialized medical center, where you will be asked to do a sensitivity test. The procedure is unpleasant, but effective. In the interval from the elbow to the wrist, the doctor runs a scraper along the inside of the arm, creating small scratches, onto which he applies a drop of the allergen. Waiting for a reaction takes about 20-30 minutes, after which the hand is examined and allergic risks are determined. Slight swelling or reddened areas of the skin at the test site mean a positive reaction, and therefore it is better to refuse the hamster or get rid of it if you have already purchased it.

About the reasons for the development of allergies

Among the common causes of allergic reactions to Djungarian, Syrian and other breeds of hamsters are:

• a weakened immune system;
• development of genetic factors;
• idiosyncrasy;
• presence of chronic diseases;
• contact with saliva, urine or animal skin flakes.

Most often, a child who spends a lot of time with a hamster, unlike an adult, is exposed to allergenic effects. Sometimes hamsters, during active play, or when frightened, bite the owner, opening a free path for the allergen into the circulatory system with the subsequent development of allergy symptoms.

It is important to note that in most cases a child is allergic to dzungarians. The reason lies in the cleanliness of the breed, its beauty and the absence of unpleasant odors, which attracts potential hamster owners. Due to the supposed hypoallergenicity, many buyers do not think about the possible risks that could lead to the development of a reaction in a child and an adult.

Features of allergies

Erroneous assumptions about a disease, the symptoms of which are caused by hamster hair, are not confirmed in medical practice. The bulk of allergens are found in the urine and saliva of rodents, unlike the common cats or dogs. For this reason, a dwarf hamster or any other hamster, including a Syrian, cannot be hypoallergenic. Contrary to this fact, a person does not often think before buying an animal whether his child may be allergic to hamsters, until he encounters the first symptoms of its manifestation.

The provoking protein, entering the human body, activates the immune system, which immediately tries to attack the pathogen. At this moment, a substance called histamine is produced and enters the circulatory system, causing unpleasant symptoms in the form of causeless coughing or sneezing. The most dangerous manifestation of the body can be anaphylactic shock, which begins with irritation of the skin, then progresses to vomiting, swelling and difficulty breathing.

Hamster allergy: symptoms

The symptoms of the reaction to hamsters are practically no different from other types of allergies, since at the initial stage areas of the skin and the human respiratory system are affected. The clinical picture characteristic of the symptoms looks like this:

• the skin around the eyes turns red;
• tearing is noted;
• allergic rhinitis develops;
• breathing becomes difficult and wheezing;
• possible signs of suffocation;
• dry cough accompanied by sneezing;
• general weakness of the body;
• headache and joint pain appears;
• small skin rashes;
• severe skin itching.

Rapid and severe progression of allergy symptoms can lead to anaphylactic shock or Quincke's edema, leading to paralysis of the respiratory muscle. Critical conditions are very life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.

People with the asthmatic spectrum of diseases need to be especially careful, since it is unknown how an allergy to a hamster may manifest itself in this situation.

If you notice the slightest signs of an allergy, do not delay visiting a doctor, since timely assistance from an allergist or dermatologist will facilitate a quick diagnosis and the necessary therapy. It is advisable to find new owners for the rodent on the same day and not be near the source of the disease. Remember that during and after therapy, the hamster can also cause allergies.

How to cure rodent allergies

A special diagnosis based on laboratory tests, medical history and visual examination performed by the attending physician can tell you how to get rid of allergies to various hamsters. Only a full range of medical measures will allow you to create an individual treatment plan that will help get rid of the consequences of allergies. Do not forget about the need to avoid contact with allergenic hamsters, including being in the same room with a rodent. Try to quickly find new owners for your pet, then recovery will be significantly accelerated.

Treatment with medications includes:

• Taking antihistamines to relieve swelling and reduce itching. Often, the doctor prescribes effective medications like Telfast or Claritin, which are well tolerated by the body without causing side effects. Do not self-medicate, since the dosage must be calculated according to individual parameters, taking into account the person’s age and weight.
• To increase the body's immune defense, it is recommended to take immunomodulators "Timolin", "Likopid", "Derinad" and a number of other drugs. Prescription may occur in the form of aerosols, drops for the eyes and nose. Often, immune substances are recommended to be used even after recovery in order to strengthen the defense systems, which helps prevent relapses of allergies.
• To help the body remove toxins more effectively, it is recommended to take enterosorbents, which are part of activated carbon or “Lingin”. The therapeutic effect of the drugs significantly reduces the pronounced signs of allergies in children and adults.
• In severe cases, treatment is carried out with hormonal drugs like Prednisolone or Cetirizine to quickly get rid of negative symptoms. Hormonal drugs are not suitable for long-term treatment, as they have a lot of side effects, but people with allergies will find it useful to replenish their home medicine cabinet with one of the drugs for emergencies.

The treatment of an unpleasant disease is successfully achieved by specific immunotherapy (SIT therapy), with the help of which the body is accustomed to the microscopic introduction of allergens, gradually increasing their concentration. Practice shows a high percentage of positive results with a long period of remission. Special therapy is possible only under the guidance of the attending physician and in the amount of 2-3 courses in order to achieve a lasting result.

Depending on the degree of symptoms, the doctor prescribes antipyretic drugs, and if pain develops, prescribes analgesics and antispasmodics.

preventive measures

An allergy to a hamster does not always force owners to part with their pet, so in such a situation it is necessary to take into account a number of preventive techniques that will help communicate with the rodent as painlessly as possible. So:

• After finishing feeding or after cleaning the hamster's cage, you should thoroughly wash your hands and thoroughly disinfect all exposed areas of the body. This can be done using special products or antibacterial soap. You cannot be near your pet for a long time.
• Regularly ventilate the room in which the rodent’s cage is located 2-3 times. It is advisable to dust and wet clean every day.
• When cleaning the cage, pay special attention to the sanitary area of ​​the hamster, which must be washed with special care.
• If possible, it is better to entrust caring for a hamster to a family member who is not susceptible to allergies.

Don't ignoree compliance with preventive rules when interacting with a rodent, since protective measures will help not only prevent the development of symptoms, but in some cases avoid unpleasant symptoms. If, while taking the necessary measures, a Syrian hamster or another breed of rodent causes an allergy, immediately seek medical help. A timely investigation and prescription of therapeutic therapy will save you from serious consequences while maintaining good health.