**SEVERE allergic reaction to any type of hay!! HELP!!!

[Amy680]

For the last two months I have been battling what I thought was contact dermatitis or a strange rash from a topical irritant of some kind plus my asthma has gotten a lot worse. I never connected the dots but when I had to go to the ER the other morning because the rash had gotten worse and my face and neck was starting to get puffy and swell I knew then that something was terribly wrong. The doctor said I was experiencing an allergic reaction and that it had reached it’s worse and took a couple months to get this bad. I told him about how after changing my rabbit’s hay from timothy to orchard and/or oat, things seemed to be a little better but not by much. And then this strange rash appeared on my chest and spread in small patches all over parts of my body. I had very short-windedness and trouble breathing at night and had to use my inhaler on a daily basis which I’ve never had to do before unless in constant contact with an allergen. Anyways I refuse to give up the best most loving pet I’ve ever had and vow to do everything I can. Will desensitizing allergy shots help my hay allergy? The only hays available from the rabbit advocates is timothy, alfalfa, oat, and orchard and I seem to be allergic to all of them. They come in 10 pound bags and there’s always quite a bit of dust that flies up into the air. My daughter isn’t doing a great job at feeding and cleaning her litter/hay boxes so I thought that maybe I could do it by using a respirator and eye protector goggles, changing my clothes after the cleaning/feeding, and washing my hands as well as sweeping thoroughly the entire rabbit room each time. It’s been three days since my ER visit and I was given prednisone for the swelling and rash and it’s healing well. I still feel a tightening in my neck whenever I go into her room though. I don’t seem to be allergic to her however – even after holding and kissing her I’m feeling fine so it must be the hay and only the hay. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

Amy in Oregon

[Monkeybun]

It is likely the rising dust that is the problem, for sure. The new way RA packs the bags does mean more dust ends up in them, which is unfortunate

One thing you could try, is repacking the bag. If your daughter currently “helps”, could she transfer the hay to another bag, shaking it out so there isnt as much dust? Then wearing gloves and a facemask with long sleeves would help keep the dust to a minimum after that.

*waves from Hillsboro*

[jerseygirl]

Really hope this settles down for you!

Maybe try boxed hay or source some dust extracted hay?

I’ve read many like the Kleenmama hay as its lower dust.
http://www.kmshayloft.com/
(The blue grass is a variety of orchard).

Some other things that might help.
-Putting out small portions of hay and misting with water. Taking care it’s replaced daily.
-Putting an air purifyer in the room.

[Bunnies <3]

If it’s the hay dust that’s causing you problems, the Oxbow Timothy Hay Cubes might work better for you. I give them to my buns sometimes in addition to their regular hay. Maybe if the hay is condensed into cakes it won’t bother you as much because there’s not so much hay dust flying around? Hope you are able to resolve this quickly!

[Sam and Lady's Human]

I was going to suggest the hay cubes too, or the hay circle flats.
Since it is constantly getting worse you ought to be really careful, you could go into anaphylactic shock.

You can also buy an air purifier, its really helped here since the bunnies home/haybox is in the living room.

[Jessie1990]

Wow, that really stinks. I don’t have any advice that wasn’t already given, so I will just say “Good Luck!!!”

[Author]

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