Allergic to my Alex?

[Mrs_peters]

Hey guys,

This is so heart-breaking to me but here's my story:

I used to know a friend's cockatoo (dolly) and I used to be around her so often when I visited them over 10 years! I never had reactions to her that I can recall. But since I got my Alex almost 2 months ago, I would feel a slight discomfort around him (no big problems) until one day I happened to be near a house-help lady who was dusting a shelf that had collected a lot of dust. I started to struggle with my breathing since then (I've had this issue once before when in contact with too much dust) but ever since I also started to react to Alex more. I checked with a doctor who said it wasn't the bird but my senses were heightened so the bird was just contributing to that. Now, it's been a few weeks and I'm mostly ok when I'm out at work (sometimes I struggle there too) but when I'm near Alex I do struggle with breathing. I'm so worried I'm allergic to him and I am so very sad as I'm getting my IRN in a few days as well! Please help! Do you think it's the bird? One more thing, I was not handling Alex for the first month. I've also only started handling him a little after the dusting incident. I'd love any advice!!

 

[Allicastery]

I'm allergic to birds and cats...I have 3 of each lol. I've noticed for me (ironically) it's only the oil based birds (all parrots except for cockatoos cockatiels and african greys) so you may be the same in the sense you did not react to the cockatoo in the same way as your alex. Assuming that you ARE allergic some things to help, does your alex take frequent baths? I've heard that sometimes dander may settle and then once kicked up can circulate through airways in the house making it more present in the house. An air purifier may help too. It also could be seasonal allergies heightened by your alex's dander like your doctor said...an air purifier could help either way.

 

[Mrs_peters]

Hey, thanks so much for responding! Appreciate it! I guess I do need an air purifier, I have been reading about that too. How sad that I should react to the kind of bird that I chose to have as a pet! And I thought those three were the dustier ones (ironic yea!). Well, thanks! I do have 1 cockatiel and I sometimes have itchy throat around him but I've sat with him through movies and I didn't react much. Hopefully, the air purifier should help and hopefully it's a seasonal thing! Alex has a bath once or twice a week cuz it's busy in the morning and I don't find the time every day but I must try more frequent baths (he loves it too!). Thanks so much!

 

[Allicastery]

Oh and when all else fails, taking something for it generally doesn't hurt, I was having a bit of reaction to mine today an allegra fixed it right up! Good luck with your fids!

 

[jdlehman76]

Before you do anything drastic you could get a quick allergy test to pin down exactly what you are allergic to. It might cost a little money if Insurance doesn't cover it, but it would be worth it if it allowed you to keep your bird and solve your health issues. An allergist could also help you develop a solution that would let you keep your bird if that ends up being the issue.

 

[Kittybird35]

Unfortunately, I and my oldest daughter had allergy testing about 3 years ago, during which time I had my 2 African Grays that I had to rehome because we both were suffering terribly more so her than I. It is caused by the dander I even went as far as having the air ducts professionally cleaned etc. Just to try to keep them as I had already had them since baby's for about 8 years. I tried allergy shots etc, but even after one year of being on them no relief and my daughters asthma was becoming increasingly worse. Frequent bathing or misting is a must, I agree try to take an allergy medication over the counter first and increase bathing. Good luck I hope everything works out. I am also allergic to cats, dogs, dust, mites, roaches almost everything except a few things from the skin prick testing. It can be tough, but don't give up.

 

[Titu]

I'm so sorry to hear that.
When I was growing up, I was allergic to pretty much all kinds of animals. But I kept handling them and now no symptoms show up. I had a cub in 06 which caused allergic reaction that lasted for days. I didnt have any animals related allergy after that.
I dont think It'd be a good idea to ignore an alergic reaction tho. You need to pin point what is exactly causing this. After finding out the exact reason, you can go from there.


Wishing best of healths to you and your bird.

 

[SailBoat]

So, where in this huge World are you?

North America, this time of year, suffers from a 'general' increase in Allergic Reactions! Commonly, it is a result of being in our homes all Winter, which are loaded with the build-up since mid-Fall. The doctor's offices are near full with this Spring's sufferers. I am allowed to stay that, because: I am one of those people!

If it's your home and you have a forced air heating / cooling system. Spend the money to up-grade your cheap 1" filter with a 'current' technology 3" selected to filter out what you are allergic too. Note: a 1" filter is only good for about two weeks and most installations are so poor that 80% of the air goes around the filter anyway. So, make sure that your new 3" filter is installed by a professional! Also, if you suffer from Allergic Reactions regardless what it maybe, stay-out of the basement. While you are upgrading your furnace filter, also put in a new technology blower with multi speeds. The lower the blower speed the less dust is pushed around.

Our Emotions are a major driver to our Allergic Reactions. If we come to believe that something is causing a reaction, it will! Even when it is likely not!