Hay allergies!

[Battie]

With two bunnies in two cages, half my studio is a constant mess of hay and hay dust.  Lately I’ve been having pretty miserable allergies in response to it and I don’t know what to do about it.  Vacuuming constantly helps me feel better about how the room looks, but it means more exposure to the irritants.  My eyes burn and I go to work every morning all stuffed up.

Has anyone found any non-prescription remedies to help them out, or tricks to keeping things clean (like hay containment!)?  It’s hard because allergy medicine knocks me out easily.  Benedryl turns me into a zombie, but it’s great at night.

I probably should just go to the doctor, but I don’t relish explaining why I’m suddenly having such issues.

[Barbie]

Zyrtec works for me and you can get that OTC. Someone else on the board suggested it to me when I posted a similar thread awhile back.

I bought a nice air purifier as well and that seems to pull some of the allergens out of the air (you have to look for one that is allergy specific) because I haven’t had nearly as many issues with allergies since I started running the air purifier 24/7. I don’t even take Zyrtec daily anymore, just on an as needed basis and that’s pretty infrequent right now. A decent air purifier/filter is pretty pricey though, and I wouldn’t recommend wasting your money on the smaller ones, I’ve tried a couple of them and they were just junk. If you want, I can dig up the research I did when I was looking for an air purifier and email it to you.

Also, get a hospital / contruction dust mask and wear it when handling hay and cleaning litter boxes.  And make sure to wash your hands right after that. 

Vacuuming frequently is good as well, but keep in mind that while youre vacuuming, you’re actually stirring up the dust and it will take a couple hours afterwards to settle, so I’d recommend wearing a mask when vacuuming as well. 

ETA I just thought of this since you partilarily mentioned your eyes….maybe try a pair of those full sheild goggles they make you wear in chem lab when you’re vacuuming, I would think that would keep a lot of the dust out of your eyes.  You may feel like a goof ball when youre cleaning, but hey, if that helps keep you from being so miserable…  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OVHWHO…B000OVHWHO

Also…. empty your vaccum canister/bag outside to keep from kicking up more dust!

[Monkeybun]

What kind of hay are you currently using? Changing varieties may help. Also try spraying the air with a bit of water after dealign with the hay to get the dust down to the floor for easier vacuuming, then you won’t be breathing it all in.

[Battie]

Ooh, I would like that very much, thank you. I assume my issues wouldn’t be helped by moving to a bigger space, and tax refund time is the best time to make an investment!

I will try Zyrtec. Maybe my problem is i’m cheap and I by the offbrand stuff (and then it still puts me to sleep).

I used to have really bad allergies/asthma and had all the prescriptions to take care of it, but the asthma’s been gone for years and as long as I avoid dust and mold the allergies are fine too. I didn’t expect to be creating my own problem!

[Battie]

Oh, thanks Monkeybun. I saw your post after my last reply.

I always buy Timothy hay, usually Kaytee brand. The water trick is a good idea. The naughty bottle has found a second use!

[Barbie]

Battie, I’m sorry, I kept going back to my original post to add to it and then Monkey posted too so I’m confused your “Ooh I wold that like very much” is a yes to me sending you my stuff I found on the air purifiers?

[Monkeybun]

I know Orchard grass hay affects allergies a bit less for a few people, and has about the same amounts of good stuff that timothy hay has, you may want to try that as well

[Battie]

Yes, that’s what I meant.  Thanks. 🙂

Monkeybun, I didn’t know that about orchard grass!  I thought they had to have mostly Timothy hay.  Thanks!  Orchard grass seems hard to get in large quantities, but I do like that it’s softer and probably easier to vacuum up.

[Monkeybun]

The BB store sells some that my 2 adore…

[Barbie]

Ok Battie, will do! It might not be until tomorrow though that I get around to it if that’s ok. I have to dig up all the websites that I never bothered to bookmark and I have to get to bed soon – class in the morning!

[Battie]

That’s fine, thanks. I’m off to bed, myself. Good night!

[Barbie]

So much for sleep. https://binkybunny.com/tabid/54/afv/topic/aff/6/aft/108843/Default.aspx

[Barbie]

Oops double post! 

[Elrohwen]

I would stay far away from benedryl or anything else claiming to be an antihistamine because these will absolutely put you to sleep. Claritin and Zyrtec are good choices. Also try seeing an allergy doctor – there are some really good nasal sprays that you can only get by prescription.

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