Anyone seem hive allergic reaction to cockatoo?

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
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25
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
So while usually I'm the health problem, my husband has been having an allergic reaction almost nightly for month or so. My first thought was food because it's widespread, seems systemic.... but with my history of busting food mysteries, I really doubted food after keeping track of what he ate.

Went to my beloved doctor who shared often it's temporary and you never know. Gave him script that should stop any reaction ... didn't make a difference.

So sitting down and making the lists, it became clear the exposure to the trigger was clearly in my home. He would go to bed clear and wake up with hives. The hives would go away within couple hours of leaving the house. Went thru sheets, shower gels, even my skin lotion (for giggles picture me sleeping in long pj's tucked into socks and different blanket for that nights test).... anyway I've narrowed down to two possible triggers, one substantially more likely.

We have 3 cats, one is a big fat butt who cannot clean herself as well so she has more dander even tho I brush and comb her (short hair). She leaves hair and what looks like dandruff where she naps even with grooming. Other two cats sleep with us without causing him any issue. I changed blankets and now pull a sheet up over bed so if Emmie sleeps on bed, the sheet comes off so no nite contact for hubby. That seemed to solve the trick along with thorough vac before he gets home.

THEN..... other day Ivory is hanging out with him more then usual and he starts with hives. She had not gotten a bath last week with me not feeling good.

Anyway, long long story to ask of anyone has seen this type of allergic reaction to a too's dust??
 

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Oh no, Jenn, poor Byron:( I hope it isn't the toos!
 
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Oh no, Jenn, poor Byron:( I hope it isn't the toos!

I've been putting her in her cage and doing a good vac on sofa before Byron gets home. Two days and that seems to work. He had one spot yesterday (literally 1 hive versus legs front and back) .

If it is Ivory, that may be the new routine along with daily baths. She has an Austin Air literally next to her cage so there is no layer of dust on the table, it just seems to be ifc she hangs out on me or back of sofa with preening and leaving the powder trail!

Just never seen hives like that as a bird allergic reaction.
 
Ok so to put some other contenders in the mix:-

House Dust Mites? Have you vacuumed your mattress, use anti allergy protectors under sheets and also on pillows, are they feather? Sounds daft but I have a 'too but cannot have feather bedding.

Have you tried steam cleaning floors and carpets etc?

Your 'too isn't harbouring anything is she? If she is producing excessive powder something poss amiss.
 
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Ok so to put some other contenders in the mix:-

House Dust Mites? Have you vacuumed your mattress, use anti allergy protectors under sheets and also on pillows, are they feather? Sounds daft but I have a 'too but cannot have feather bedding.

Have you tried steam cleaning floors and carpets etc?

Your 'too isn't harbouring anything is she? If she is producing excessive powder something poss amiss.

We have new mattresses that part of warranty is specific vices that have to be used.... no down pillows... Ivory does not produce a lot of dust. You can wear a black shirt and unless she preeners and you have feather wax, you have no sign a too landed on you.

The timing / window is suggesting sofa or bed. He is a big kid and has racetracks, him and my also big kid brother can play on floor for hours no issues.

He will be heading off to allergist like it or not.. but liked a great suggestion of taping samples to skin to see if reaction, might help reduce what he gets tested for!
 
Has your husband undergone allergy testing at an allergist? They should be able to verify with a skin test if it's the cockatoos (or other birds) or not. Some allergies also come with delayed reactions (especially foods) and sometimes it is not a common allergen like wheat or dairy, it can be some random preservative or flavoring that's harder to identify.

Other things to consider- have you bought any new kind of soaps, lotions, laundry detergents etc... or possibly the formula in one you've always used has changed? New furniture, carpets, bedding, remodeling etc... could also have triggered the reaction with the introduction of new chemicals off-gassing into the home environment. Have your neighbors been spraying for bugs or weeds? That too could get inside and trigger an allergy. Hope he figures out what it is!
 
Add to all of the great recommendations, also consider the time of year. You're are in the Great White North and Winter is here now. If you have a forced air furnace, along with the suggestion above regarding cleaning the carpet, also consider having the furnace and ducting cleaned.

You got Cats! Get the big one into its Vet to verify whether s/he has a skin problem, etc... With Cats, and forced air heating systems, you should be changing the furnace filters monthly at a minimum.

I sincerely hope that you find the source of the allergic reaction!
 

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