Allergy to horses/eczema sufferers?

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tye_bo

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All my life I've had eczema, mainly on my hands, and I've always worn gloves for doing anything around the horse ie brushing, touching, riding etc as my hands tend to have sores and broken skin so it's to protect them. I wear a dust mask for doing haynets/putting straw down as the slightest bit of dust gets on my throat. I'm just wondering if it's actually an allergy I've got - if I touch the horse then inadvertently touch my eye it itches like mad, goes red and bloodshot etc. I've done it several times this week. If she's been grazing then touches my arm it makes a 'welt' on my arm where she's touched me. I also get hay fever so I think doesn't help.

I just wondered what symptoms you get with an allergy to horses and how you deal with it when you're round them. Likewise for anyone with eczema how do you deal with it as brushing her with gloves gets them so mucky - I'm wondering if I'd be better with rubber gloves or something as I'm forever washing gloves and plus I get through so many pairs as the fingers just go though (I have those cheapie riding ones). I've tried latex but they make my hands sweat.
 
Hi, I also suffer eczema on my hands.
I buy the thin vinyl gloves, similar to latex, and when my eczema is severe, put an emolient(like Diprobase) in the gloves! Feels abit weird to start with, but the combination of glove and moisturiser really helps the eczema on the whole- and avoids the sweaty wetness you describe.
We us something called Oxyhives(google it) for my daughters allergies, which really helps.Don't be fooled by the name, it treats much more than allergic reactions with hives. However,it does have to be imported from the USA, I have been unable to find a UK supplier.
 
I'd recommend going to see an allergy specialist and finding out the exact cause of your allergy. It does very likely it is horses but it could also be grass, dust or other things. Once you know your main trigger you can then plan how to deal with it.
For me I am hugely allergic to certain types of grass (and therefore also hay). I had treatment specifically for this allergy which in turn has lessened my other allergies. A specialist will be able to make suggestions on what could help. Good luck.
 
Definitely sounds like you have an allergy. I am highly allergic to horses and hay and dust (and a million other things!), but there is no way I'm missing out! I also cannot touch my face when touching the horses or I end up just like your description of yourself - red, itchy and weeping eyes, sneezing and stuffed nose, asthma, incredibly itchy eczema with weeping sores, bleeding etc etc ...

The only way I have found to deal with it is with anti-histamines, always carry my inhaler with me and NEVER, EVER touch my face or eyes. I have hand wash at the yard and scrub my hands and arms as soon as I am finished with the horses. Then it's strip all my clothes off as soon as I get home, put them in to wash immediately and I have to have a shower or bath to get all the dust particles off me before I do anything else. It doesn't stop it totally but it does make it more manageable.

I've been like it since I was a baby and at 32 have yet to grow out of it! ... I have never found a way round it, but refuse to be defeated by it!
 
Thanks all. I think I'll have to get a bigger stock of material gloves in for a start and remember to not touch my face!! Not sure it's vinyl or latex I have - do you throw them away each time? I'm not keen on the tablets as I've had them for hayfever and even the non drowsy ones make me sleepy. Will try prevention rather than cure. I'm dreading winter and having to wash their legs down with hibbiscrub, will have to get rubber gloves then I think.
 
I usually get 3 or 4 uses from the thin vinyl gloves,though you obviously sometimes rip them inadvertently and can go through several pairs a time!
If you get red weals from even your horse touchibg you,chances are you could have the same autoimmune condition as my daughter. Or a similar one. She has autoimmune urticaria,google it. The oxyhives is fantastic for it. She often gets weals when she,say,itches herself. It can be one of the symptoms. She also has to use steroids when it gets severe as nothing else helps,however since we started to use oxyhives,touch wood,we have not had to resort to them . The antihistamine that has been prescribed is telfast,but as oxyhives is natural and mostly controls her allergies,we rarely have to use them.
 
http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/product.php?product=183

I have really bad eczema on my hands and have to use gloves ALL the time. I use these, they are lightweight and thin so you can feel what you are doing. You can ride, groom and do all yard stuff in them. In fact i havent found a better yard glove. They are washable and reusable. Front is nitrile and is waterproof and material on the back so breathable. Defo worth trying a pair.
 
I only get the wheals when she's been eating grass so I wonder if it's the grass more then affects me to that extent. Definitely if I touch her fur and then my eyes it makes me want to scratch my eyes out. It's highlighted it from having had a break for a couple of years when she's been out on loan to having got her back just how it does affect me.
 
eatonbraynat said:
http://www.thehorsediva.co.uk/product.php?product=183

I have really bad eczema on my hands and have to use gloves ALL the time. I use these, they are lightweight and thin so you can feel what you are doing. You can ride, groom and do all yard stuff in them. In fact i havent found a better yard glove. They are washable and reusable. Front is nitrile and is waterproof and material on the back so breathable. Defo worth trying a pair.
Click to expand...

Ooh sorry missed your post. Wow thanks for the link I'll check them out. I go through the cheap pimple palm riding gloves in two minutes.
 
This is so weird, I could have written that post!!!
Exactly the same symptoms from me, down to the bad eczema on the hands & the itchy eyes / welts (but only from one of our horses?!)

I've found that the beconase nose spray seems to really help when the antihistimanes didn't, may be worth a try?
Will be keeping an eye on this post - glad I'm not alone!
 
Wow, glad I'm not the only one then Starreyed!!

eatonbraynat those gloves look amazing!! Amazing! What size do you get out of interest I can't find any sort of size guides and am torn between small and medium.
 
I have only recentgly found the gloves but i wouldnt be without a pair now!!

If i wear to buy normal riding gloves i would be small and in some styles i would only just be a medium - I have the medium size in this type glove as i found the small quite small and tight for me and it felt better with a bigger size. Hope this helps x
 
I have the same problem. I use "milking gloves" which are medical gloves that I buy from the vets at approx £5.00 per 100 but they are only single use. I have tried similar gloves to the ones suggested by eatonbraynet but found them a bit hot and a bit thick. I have been using Derby House cross country gloves. They breathe and are close fitting, like a second skin and are machine washable.
On the subject of anti histamines I use Tesco's own make which are the same ingredient as piriton but a third of the price however I'm not sure if they are on the banned substance list for BSJ etc something I will have to look into if I go affiliated unless anyone on here can fill me in.
I am actually allergic to pollen so if the horses's noses touch me or if I touch their coats I come out in hives (also happens with the dog if she has been in the fields) so I have to be careful with my face/neck etc that is uncovered.
Good to know that other people suffer the same and still persevere. I have had this for 40 years!
 
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