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Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by pygmybait on September 28, 2003
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For the last 12 weeks, I have been having allergic reactions that range from simple hives to a hospitalization two nights ago. These reactions are becoming more and more severe as time goes on and my allergist can't seem to figure it out. There is nothing that I can think of that would explain any of this. I am a paramedic so I'm pretty familiar with the usuaal suspects (different soap, laundry detergant etc..) I am begining to wonder if I may have developed an allergy to snakes. I hate to say it but these reactions DID begin about the same time that I began keeping my snakes in close proximity to my house(I used to keep them in a seperate building, now they are in the house itself). Any thoughts or ideas? I would hate to think that they are the cause but i'd rather keep breathing than keep them around.
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RE: Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by LarryDFishel on September 28, 2003
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I can't really help as far as whether or not the snakes themselves could cause the problem, but have you considered things like rodent hair, whatever products/concoctions you use to clean the cage, the cages themselves (sawdust or fiberglass dust)? Did you do any construction getting a new room ready for them...new wood, drywall or fiberglass insulation? If you still have the other building availible, I would certainly move them back out there immediately until you figure out what going on. Plus doing that should help you narrow it down if it goes away it had something to do with the snakes or cages, if not then it's probably something else in the house. It sounds like you were working with them before, so it seems wierd that you didn't have SOME reaction before.
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RE: Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by pygmybait on September 28, 2003
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Honestly, I haven't really changed anything other than WHERE I keep them. The only reason I thought it may be the snakes is that Friday morning , before the most severe reaction I have had so far, I was feeding one of my red tails in her feed box. When I took her out of the box, she decided to curl up around my neck. She seemed happy there so I let her hang out for a few minutes. That is where the story gets interesting.
Since I have been having these reactions, they have been relatively standard break-outs of hives with no other noticeable symptoms. The one that occured Friday started out with the normal symptoms but the onset was much more rapid and I quickly developed some shortness of breath and severe swelling to my face and entire body. I actually lost consciousness at least three times before the ambulance arrived and I developed some upper respiratory wheezing and an altered mental status. I am very good friends witht the rescue crew who came to get me but they tell me that I had no idea who they were or why they were there. Apparantly, I became somewhat combative with them before they were able to get some meds into me. I don't even want to think it, but it sounds like I may have been in the early stages of anaphylaxis. Those are new symptoms and it just seems odd that I had let the boa curl up around my neck earlier in the day.
Honestly, this last episode scared the heck out of me and I'm just trying to cover ALL of the bases. Any change in my activities or anything like that must be investigated. I'd hate to think that my animals are the cause but if they are, I have to place them in a new home. Perhaps Mr. Harper could throw some ideas around? Thanks for your help guys - Matt
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RE: Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by Fabian on September 29, 2003
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I would use a face mask when you are around your snakes/snake room. If it is the snakes or something in the snake room, as you know it could become life threating. If you can get someone to water Etc. For a while. I would see how it goes. I would not go around your snakes/snake room with out a mask. If all goes well away from the room, go back in slowly. a few mins. at a time. And go from there. Good Luck My Friend.
Hope it's not the snakes.
Fabe
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RE: Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by pygmybait on October 3, 2003
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Well I'm thinking it may, in fact, be the rodents. I saw my allergist on Wednesday and had somew blood work done - won't know for sure until next week. I told him about the incident on Friday and that I had fed my animals that day. So....in the interest of "redneck" science ( I am in Florida, afterall :)I decided to conduct an experiment (on myself). I actually had my brother buy the rodents for todays feed. He came out to my house and held all of the containers with the rodents. I was wearing latex gloves and a HEPA filter mask. I did handle some of the rats and mice but was sure not to have any actual skin-to-rodent contact. I didn't touch anything that the rodents touched and was careful to thoroughly wash my hands and exposed skin after I fed the snakes. It is now almost 12 hours since the feed and so far, NO REACTION!!! I'm sure that if I was going to have one, it would have occured hours ago. My conclusions : either 1) I just have to keep things a little more clinical during the feeds and remove any chance of actual contact with the rodents and any airborne allergens or 2) It's not the rodents and the reactions on feed days have just been a huge coincidence so far. Either way, I'll let everyone know what the results of the allergy tests are. I'm sure SOMEONE will be able to use this thread for refernce in the future.
Thanks again for the ideas and input from you guys. It was a BIG help - Matt
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RE: Allergic reactions to snakes????
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by pygmybait on October 12, 2003
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FYI for anyone who may have been reading this topic, it was the mice. I'm still able to keep all of my snakes,too! I just have to wear latex gloves and avoid direct contact. Thought some of you might like to know. -Matt
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