Asthmatic daughter developed extreme allergies
Hi,
When we first brought our bunny home my daughter was fine and spent every day with him without any problems, however as time went on she gradually became more and more allergic. She started with a slightly runny nose and itchy eyes - nothing major and certainly managable.
However within a year these mild allergic reactions have become full blown asthma attacks which have on accassion landed her in A&E, it took us a while to realsie that it was the rabbits causing it and she is no longer able to touch the rabbits or even be in the same room as them.
This is despite the fact that she showed no sign of allery in the first few months. We have been told by the Professionals that in asthma/allergic reactions - repeated exposure to the irritant does not 'build' immunity, it actually leads to a hightened sensitivity to the allergen, we have certainly seen this to to be true in our daughter.
She takes daily prescibed medications and anti-histamines (not piriton) but she still suffers daily breathing problems - we were advised that she was probably allergic to the hay and not the rabbits (by rabbit keeping forums) but I can most definitely say that it is the rabbit fur.
I do not have any allergies or history but after time spent grooming the rabbits I also start sneezing and have watery eyes - again, I did not have an problems in the first few months, it is a sensitivity that developed.
I would advise that you be prepared that over time, what could be a mild reaction (or no reaction at all) could develop into something more serious.
My rabbits need to go outside to protect my daughters health unfortunately this is not an option at the moment so we manage by keeping her well away from them (but she still has problems) our only other option is a rescue :-(