Horse allergy - child friendly remedies?

M

MagicMelon

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 November 2004
Messages
16,386
Location
North East Scotland
Visit site
So Im gutted to accept that my 5yo son has taken after his daddy and is probably allergic to horses :( He has a pony and rides often. He has ridden since he could sit upright but somehow its only beginning to show at the last 2 or 3 shows he's been riding at. It not bad but today he did start moaning his nose was sore (my OH says his nose gets annoyingly itchy) and had slightly bloodshot eyes. After the last show he seemed to have quite puffy eyes after we got home. What can I do? He doesnt really groom, he's literally plonked on the pony so hes not inhaling lots of dust/hair. Is there some sort of cream I can put on him or is antihistamines the only way to go? Would rather not fill him up with chemicals if I can help it :( He doesnt seem to have any problems at home but then he's not riding for as long as he is at an event.

Going to wash the pony before the next show to see if that helps keep the dust down (she's a native so hairy) but any other ideas would be great as allergies like this are new to me!
 
You could try putting something like Vaseline or Haymax round his nostrils but personally, I don't find they work particularly well. you can get liquid antihistamines for children, although of course they are chemicals. He might benefit from eyedrops. Perhaps the best thing is to ask the advice of a pharmacist.
 
KittenInTheTree said:
Surely your first port of call should be the child's GP, to arrange proper screening for allergies and a treatment plan?
Click to expand...

If Im honest I dont trust doctors at all when it comes to this type of thing. I had stomach and skin issues for ages, doctor just sent me to a dermatologist (who gave me heaps of rubbish which did nothing) and told me if I thought I was intolerant to something then I should try and work it out for myself! I ended up going to a lady (who was not a doctor), she worked out what I was intolerant to within 5 minutes and she was completely correct. As soon as I stopped eating it, my stomach AND skin issues disappeared and now Ive learnt to control it.

My son was exactly the same, he would projectile vomit as a young baby every 12 hours, doctors told me it was just reflux (I told them it was not!) but they wouldnt help. I worked out at the weaning stage that he was intolerant to dairy the whole time. He sometimes gets a rash round his top lip and develops the same skin issues I have if he has too much dairy, one doctor has finally admitted that this is verging on an actual allergy.

So my experience of doctors and intolerance / allergies is not good! I know my son is allergic so see no point in screening. Even if the doctor agrees, they normally just prescribe anti-histamines which as I said Im trying to avoid.
 
I feel your pain. My 2nd son is allergic to them. I found out when he was a baby, too late to send him back then :p. I've rarely given him anything as my feeling is that over time he'll build up his own immunity. He has got better, but he is bad with dust which I think is the main problem. He did start riding at one point then the sneezing and sore eyes got too much. I just make sure that he washes his hands and face regularly.
 
It's not just hayfever? Regardless try prevalin kids nasal spray from chemist (it's not a medicine). I use the adult version and it really has made a big difference to me and I've used absolutely every hayfever drug/natural remedy in the world. Blow his nose first then spray it up. Try not to let him sniff it down his throat (tastes minging!) and might put him off. I imagine to get his done successfully with a 5yr old you'll need a good game around it!
 
There is a type of horse which has a curly coat which people are much less likely to become allergic to. I think its a Curly Bashkir - they are the poodles of the horse world!!

Hard to get hold of, but if you buy a youngster now, maybe when your child is 10 you will have the perfect horse for him!!!

And here is a website which may be useful!!

http://www.trevorhallfarm.co.uk
 
If you're certain its the pony then you could try the homeopathic route. Worked for me with cats :) It involves using the horsehair to gradually build up resistance over time, and is administered in a sugar pill format.

ETA: I also have issues with the dander from horses, not the hair. However this gets better naturally the more time I spend grooming, or just being around horses. If I have any significant time away and come back I have hayfever like symptoms.
 
Last edited:
FfionWinnie said:
It's not just hayfever? Regardless try prevalin kids nasal spray from chemist (it's not a medicine). I use the adult version and it really has made a big difference to me and I've used absolutely every hayfever drug/natural remedy in the world. Blow his nose first then spray it up. Try not to let him sniff it down his throat (tastes minging!) and might put him off. I imagine to get his done successfully with a 5yr old you'll need a good game around it!
Click to expand...

Nope not hayfever as he never shows signs at any other time (and we live in a very rural area surrounded by flowering crops etc.). Will have a look at the Prevalin thank you, although I have no idea how I can get him to let me spray it... I'll try good old bribery...

Ha ha, dont think Ill go down the curly horse version although we do have (meant to be) hypoallergenic pets (bengals and a labradoodle!). A hypo pony is getting a bit ridiculous ;)

The homeopathic route sounds interesting, will go and look into it thanks :)
 
no suggestions but just to give you hope - i remember being taken to the DR about aged 8 or 9 and the lining of my nose had literally come away and it stung like hell. The Dr proclaimed me to be allergic to horses and to keep me away. We didnt have horses of our own and my riding lessons were stopped... but i carried on walking down the road to the riding school and helping out grooming etc and begging rides now and again. I grew out of it :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top