A hamster is one of the most popular types of pets. This demand is explained by the unpretentiousness of the rodent. Most often, these animals are found in families with children, they will easily cheer up both a child and an adult. Is there an allergy to hamsters? This question is relevant if the rodent is going to acquire a family with a child. Sellers often try to convince the buyer that hamsters are completely harmless and do not cause allergies.
Cause
Many argue that the cause of allergies is animal hair. Some say that a severe form of allergy is caused by the Dzungarian little hamster. In fact, the main cause is animal saliva and dandruff. Sometimes an allergy develops after a bite of a rodent. Allergens are also present in subcutaneous fat, and all hamsters can be dangerous, and no matter how lush their fur is.
Currently, allergies to hamsters are not the most common. If a person has it, the quality of life noticeably worsens. It is important to establish the exact causes of the disease in time, and only then select the methods of therapy.
Allergy Symptoms
The first signs of the disease can be divided into several groups. As a rule, an allergy to rodents manifests itself within a few hours, and in some cases 2-3 days in the form of skin symptoms, immunological reactions from the respiratory system, anaphylaxis, enteropathy.
The skin type of allergic reactions includes rash and urticaria. The second of these symptoms is expressed in the form of itchy redness on the skin. The formation of pale pink blisters occurs if a rash forms on the mucous membranes. In acute form, the symptom lasts up to two weeks.
The systemic type of allergy (Quincke's edema) is very dangerous and can lead to serious consequences. An immunological reaction occurs very quickly. Due to the accumulation of fluid, the tissues of the lips, cheeks, and eyelids swell.
Catarrhal group
The catarrhal group of symptoms include bronchitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis. During development, inflammation of the mucous membrane occurs. The acute form of rhinitis is known as a runny nose. Conjunctivitis is an irritation of the outer shell of the eyes, resulting in photophobia, lacrimation and itching. With allergic bronchitis, signs such as swelling, coughing and pain in the chest are noticeable.
Allergies to hamsters are very often accompanied by sneezing and shortness of breath. One of the reasons for sneezing - the inhalation of particles of a hamster epidermis, occurs in connection with the cleansing of the respiratory tract from irritants. The first symptoms of shortness of breath are breathing disorder (frequency and depth) with a feeling of lack of oxygen and heaviness in the chest.
Enteropathy
Enteropathy is a violation of the formation of enzymes that are involved in the digestive processes, there is abdominal pain, as well as an upset stomach. With the progression of the inflammatory process, the development of chronic diseases is possible.
What else can provoke a small hamster?
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is the most dangerous immunological reaction, since out of ten cases, two are fatal. It develops rapidly, there is a violation of blood circulation, a decrease in stroke volume of the heart and a decrease in blood pressure.
The first symptoms in a child are usually observed runny nose, sneezing, dry cough, hoarse voice, redness of the eyes. Children often complain that their eyes itch, they do not want to eat, and their condition is usually weakened. It is very important if a child is suspected of having an allergy, immediately exclude his contact with a rodent, and seek medical help.
Parents should refuse to purchase a rodent if:
- the child has a predisposition to allergies;
- he often suffers colds;
- allergies have previously occurred in other animals.
Diagnostics
Symptoms of other diseases are very similar in appearance to the manifestation of an allergy to hamsters. For example, rhinitis that occurs as a result of the presence of rodents at home is sometimes mistakenly compared to a common cold. To avoid such situations, it is recommended to undergo diagnostics in special treatment centers.
There are several diagnostic methods:
- Skin tests. A small amount of allergen is applied to the skin of the hands or back. If the patient experiences a type of allergic reaction such as itching or redness within 15-25 minutes, then the result is positive. This method has a low price, it is easy to implement, but there is a drawback, which is that the results are not perfectly accurate, they have errors.
- Blood analysis. Skin tests do not always give an absolutely accurate result, therefore it is recommended to additionally do a blood test. For this method, there are practically no contraindications for its use.
- Provocative tests. There are situations when neither a blood test nor skin tests can give a clear result, in such cases they resort to provocative tests. With this method, the allergen is administered nasally, directly into the bronchi and sublingually. Provocations are carried out under strict medical supervision, since the irritant can be quite pronounced. How to determine an allergy to a hamster?
- Elimination tests. This method is useful in cases where the patient does not have the opportunity to come to a medical institution. Elimination is the exception of the alleged causative agent of the immunological reaction, therefore it is not recommended to independently clean the cage, pick up the animal in its hands. If the pathogen is installed correctly, but after a while the symptoms will disappear.
Treatment
To eliminate the immunological reaction to hamster saliva and dandruff, elimination and antihistamine therapy is used, and alternative treatment methods are considered as additional methods to combat allergies to hamsters.
Elimination therapy - refusal of contact with an allergen. The exclusion of the causative agent of the disease increases the quality of life of the patient. In order to protect yourself from the protein secreted by the rodent, you must instruct another member of the family to care for the animal, not to contact the hamster, and regularly change the filler. Allergies to hamsters in children can be very dangerous.
Three generations of medicine
With antihistamine therapy, drugs block histamine receptors. There are three generations of drugs.
- The first generation includes Diphenhydramine, Clemastine, Hifenadine. Use them to stop Quincke's edema and anaphylaxis. The main disadvantage of drugs is the oppression of the central nervous system, so these drugs are contraindicated in children and pregnant women.
- The second generation includes Astemizol, Loratadin, and Terfenadin. The drugs do not disrupt the central nervous system and are prescribed for prolonged use, however, toxic effects on the liver, damage to the digestive tract are possible.
- The third generation - the most modern drugs. These include: Xizal, Telfast, Erius. They are considered safe, but still have side effects in the form of insomnia, nausea, headache. They are usually prescribed to relieve itching and swelling. A pediatric allergist will help you choose a drug for your child.
In severe allergies, hormones are prescribed: Prednisone, Cetirizine, Hydrocortisone, and others. Such drugs quickly and effectively relieve symptoms.
To achieve effective elimination of toxins from the body, it is recommended to take enterosorbents (Polysorb, Lignin).
To strengthen the immune system, it is advised to take immunomodulators, for example, Timolin, Likopida, Imunofana, Derinata. All these drugs can be prescribed in any form, for example, drops in the nose, eyes.
Alternative methods are folk remedies. It is very important to be aware of the specifics of these methods. Some types of herbs may not only be useless, but also exacerbate the situation, the effectiveness of alternative methods has not been scientifically proven.
With the permission of the pediatric allergist, the use of alternative treatment is permissible. So, to eliminate the symptoms of the respiratory system, they use olive oil, chamomile, peppermint.
Prevention
The best prevention of allergies is strengthening immunity. You need to monitor your health and nutrition. To prevent the occurrence of allergies is 100% possible only if you do not start a hamster in the house. People who are prone to allergies should refuse to purchase an animal. If this still happened, then contact with the pet should be minimized, and the room should be regularly ventilated. Releasing a hamster is on the floor in a room where there is no carpet. Do not let the animal bite its hands or face. After contact, thoroughly wash the skin with soap and water.
Is there an allergy to hamsters? The answer is unequivocal - yes, it does.