How can I treat a severe allergy to horses?

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snowyhoofprint

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During my ride yesterday, I started breaking out in huge hives that spread from my face and neck to the inside of my elbows and the backs of my knees and then the rest of my body. I had to take a lot of Piriton and stop itching them, but I got really scared as I had anaphylaxis to nuts a few years ago and the reaction felt almost the same - my face was stiffening up and swelling, my blood pressure lowered etc. Thankfully after taking the Piriton it went down after about an hour. I've had reactions before like hives on my hands if they're in contact with saliva, tightening of the throat and congestion. Weirdly I seem to react to specific horses? Yesterday was my first time riding this horse but I've had hives during and after rides before using different horses. Also there were around 4 horses riding in the same school yesterday, maybe it could be the dust coming up from the outdoor school's flooring?

I really don't want to give up riding, it's something i really enjoy. Are there injections i can get to make the allergy less severe? If i went to the GP would they be able to prescribe me something to take before riding? Any advice from people who've overcome allergies would be super helpful, I'm really desperate.
 
Scary!
I’m allergic to horses, I’m also much more allergic to specific horses!
I find the horses at my work I get used to, if I take a weeks holiday I feel awful for a week at least when I go back.
I’m careful not to brush anything muddy or even worse scurfy/dried sweat. (I wash them really well to avoid this!)
I also try to avoid letting them lick me, especially my arms!
I take antihistamine every day, I also take montelukast singulair which is a tablet that opens airways and contains antihistamine aswell. I’m not sure if it’s just for asthmatics or anyone but worth asking.
The more I do the better I get.
 
Are you sure the allergy was to
Horses ... it’s probab more likely that you came in to contact with some pollen that is related to nuts... there are treatments to allergies but it’s not as simple as an injection... do
You have an epipen? Is this your first reaction to horses? Lots of
Questions to ask before u can say it
Was the horse you were allergic to.
 
Following this with interest. I’m allergic to hay, straw, dust, horses...pretty much everything on the yard! I seem to have built up a tolerance over the years and don’t take antihistamines on a regular basis. However, I had an awful reaction to some hay a few weeks ago, I was covered in hives and tearing with itch. More worrying was that it flared up my asthma and I was really struggling to breath, had to text my mum to bring an inhaler! Despite antihistamines I’m still struggling with the hay so have started feeding off the floor to save having to make haynets up for three...
 
I find I'm more reactive if I groom and tack up etc inside the stable - doing all the horsey prep outside helps a lot. I take antihistamines regularly too. My allergy is only mild though, nothing like the sounds of yours.

I'd go to the docs and maybe ask for to see a specialist, who can maybe narrow down your source of allergy by specific and controlled testing.
 
You very definitely need to be tested - doesn't sound like a severe allegy to horses. My Mum had that - and if she TOUCHED our jodhs and then touched her eyes they would blow up to the point of temporary blindness - and have an asthma-type attack that (several imes0 nearly killed her. She was also severely allergic to dogs. If you have a low level allergy to horses/dogs - as my husband did - then exposure can help -and he now has no problem having been repeatedly exposed, lol.

It des sound more like dust - or similar - but you need testing and proper advice to control it - and beat it.
 
blitznbobs said:
Are you sure the allergy was to
Horses ... it’s probab more likely that you came in to contact with some pollen that is related to nuts... there are treatments to allergies but it’s not as simple as an injection... do
You have an epipen? Is this your first reaction to horses? Lots of
Questions to ask before u can say it
Was the horse you were allergic to.
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying! I have an EpiPen for food allergies, i’m allergic to nuts and shellfish. This isn’t my first reaction to horses, i used to help out at a yard and was sniffly afterwards, i sometimes got hives on my hands if horse saliva got on then. Sometimes i get hives after I’ve ridden and swollen lips but never had a reaction like this - it was my worst reaction to anything since i had anaphylaxis a few years ago. I’m not ruling out that it’s the dust I’m allergic to just yet, but it’s more likely the horses as I’m allergic to cats and dogs (was tested 10+ years ago, doing another test soon to see if i’m still allergic:oops::oops:)
 
HiPo'sHuman said:
Following this with interest. I’m allergic to hay, straw, dust, horses...pretty much everything on the yard! I seem to have built up a tolerance over the years and don’t take antihistamines on a regular basis. However, I had an awful reaction to some hay a few weeks ago, I was covered in hives and tearing with itch. More worrying was that it flared up my asthma and I was really struggling to breath, had to text my mum to bring an inhaler! Despite antihistamines I’m still struggling with the hay so have started feeding off the floor to save having to make haynets up for three...
Click to expand...
I have asthma too! Filling up haynets and putting in new straw is terrible for me - I get all choked up the next day and can barely breathe. I’ve got rabbits at home, so when I’m feeding them hay or working with hay at the yard, i wear a surgical mask which stops me from inhaling the dust - helps loads but i get some funny looks! :D
 
def worth a trip to the docs esp given your other allergies I'd say.
I am allergic to horses, (and hay, and dust, and all other furry animals...) some more than others - I seem to build up an immunity to my own over time. The one I've had for 4 years now doesn't make me itch, but when I first had her I would get huge raised hives from any contact with her sweat or saliva. They trigger my asthma as well as the usual itchy eyes, tickly throat, blocked/running nose, sneeze etc... I tend to be a bit careful with horses I don't know or handle regularly as I'll usually start getting an itchy rash quite quickly.

Indoor schools also set me off. I take antihistamines every day, I read that you can take a double dose safely so I do that on a bad day. I was prescribed fexofenadine for a while which was BRILLIANT but now I just take OTC ones and lump it.
 
milliepops said:
def worth a trip to the docs esp given your other allergies I'd say.
I am allergic to horses, (and hay, and dust, and all other furry animals...) some more than others - I seem to build up an immunity to my own over time. The one I've had for 4 years now doesn't make me itch, but when I first had her I would get huge raised hives from any contact with her sweat or saliva. They trigger my asthma as well as the usual itchy eyes, tickly throat, blocked/running nose, sneeze etc... I tend to be a bit careful with horses I don't know or handle regularly as I'll usually start getting an itchy rash quite quickly.

Indoor schools also set me off. I take antihistamines every day, I read that you can take a double dose safely so I do that on a bad day. I was prescribed fexofenadine for a while which was BRILLIANT but now I just take OTC ones and lump it.
Click to expand...
I’m hoping more exposure will help my allergy like it helped yours (when i’m dosed up with antihistamines first lol). Which antihistamine do you take now? I’m prescribed Piriton which helps but if I take it before a lesson I get sleepy halfway through - not smart if I’m jumping!
 
Own-brand Cetirizine and loratadine most days, and I keep the Benadryl Relief acrivastine up my sleeve for when i'm really suffering. i don't take them too often as you can only buy the branded ones and they are expensive!
 
Is it ok to take Cetrizine and loratadine together? i thought it had to be one or another. This could revolutionize my life (I hope)
I've just checked back in on this thread as the last few days, being cold the horses at work haven't been fully washed off- they are usually hosed from head to foot so i have no issue brushing them after but the last few days have killed me and i now remember why i was going to get a new job before winter set in :(
 
I take them both together, sometimes 2 of each! I'm still alive, lol o_O

I'm horribly allergic to OH after he's been out at work (farrier), have to get him to shower before sitting down together :eek:
 
pulling my eyes and lungs out because I can't see or breathe is also a no-go ;) Go and see your doc, OP :) Fexofenadine was a game changer for me but for some reason they wouldn't let me have it long term. Think it's the same drug as used to be in triludan before that was taken off the books?
 
poiuytrewq said:
Is it ok to take Cetrizine and loratadine together? i thought it had to be one or another. This could revolutionize my life (I hope)
I've just checked back in on this thread as the last few days, being cold the horses at work haven't been fully washed off- they are usually hosed from head to foot so i have no issue brushing them after but the last few days have killed me and i now remember why i was going to get a new job before winter set in :(
Click to expand...

You really should not mix antihistamines. Ask a pharmascist first!
I am so much healthier since I gave up horses, I coped by taking loratadine daily, opticrom eyedrops, nasal sprays and inhalers but overall I am so much better without them.
 
milliepops said:
pulling my eyes and lungs out because I can't see or breathe is also a no-go ;) Go and see your doc, OP :) Fexofenadine was a game changer for me but for some reason they wouldn't let me have it long term. Think it's the same drug as used to be in triludan before that was taken off the books?
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Do think of possible long term effects on your immune system.
 
Clodagh said:
Do think of possible long term effects on your immune system.
Click to expand...
not a lot i can do at the moment, I'm allergic to my house, to any dust at all from the heater being on in the car, etc etc it's not just horses :( my mother is the same. My GP is completely uninterested, as I said the one thing that helped enormously they won't let me have. sounds like the OP's GP is a bit more engaged. I'll be moving within a year or so, and then will fall into the catchment of some new practices, hopefully get a bit more of a useful response then.
 
I seem to be getting worse with allergies, wine noooo, vodka, dust, orange, hay and whether its my age or not (women of a certain age lol) I dont know, but this year we've had gorgeous hay and even being in the stable with it in a net is affecting me. Last year I ended up in hospital being treated for it as I couldnt breathe, felt like my throat was closing up and was squeaking instead of talking, they gave me IV antihistamine and steroids and I was fine after a couple of hours. What Im wanting to share is they said to use Chlorpheniramine maleate which is the generic Piriton and a fraction of the price. Apparantly the Maleate is the important bit?? I wear a mask and should wear goggles lol but they steam up :) and make sure my arms are covered. I try not to take the tablets unless I really need them.
 
Louby said:
I seem to be getting worse with allergies, wine noooo, vodka, dust, orange, hay and whether its my age or not (women of a certain age lol) I dont know, but this year we've had gorgeous hay and even being in the stable with it in a net is affecting me. Last year I ended up in hospital being treated for it as I couldnt breathe, felt like my throat was closing up and was squeaking instead of talking, they gave me IV antihistamine and steroids and I was fine after a couple of hours. What Im wanting to share is they said to use Chlorpheniramine maleate which is the generic Piriton and a fraction of the price. Apparantly the Maleate is the important bit?? I wear a mask and should wear goggles lol but they steam up :) and make sure my arms are covered. I try not to take the tablets unless I really need them.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about your allergies:( I know you’re taking Piriton, but have you been prescribed any inhalers? If you’re asthmatic as well they should help a lot with breathing if you’ve inhaled any dust :)
 
snowyhoofprint said:
Sorry to hear about your allergies:( I know you’re taking Piriton, but have you been prescribed any inhalers? If you’re asthmatic as well they should help a lot with breathing if you’ve inhaled any dust :)
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Hi, no Ive no inhalers and havent got Asthma thankfully, its mainly the hay and Im careful now. My Doc pretty much dismissed it, called me in after the A&E trip and prescribed me Steroids just in case, and actually made me feel bad for going to A&E, saying I should have gone to docs instead as Id cost them over £200?? , a- they was shut and b- I'd have waited 3 weeks for an appontment ha ha :confused: but I think I was more gobsmacked at his response so didnt have an answer at the time. Im not a serial doctor visitor so didnt just think oh I fancy a trip to hospital lol I think he was having a bad day!
 
Try different antihistamines some work better for some people than others - piriton is the best but also has the most side effects ... try wearing gloves and a mask and see if it’s better but take your epipen
And make
Sure
You are not alone at any time. The Gp may give you fexofenadine or something similar which is a little better in most cases than the non drowsy antihistamines available over the counter but is very expensive so it will be a postcode lottery whether you get it
Or not
 
Curley coated horses are hypoallogenic. I don't know which part of the country you are from, but curley coated equestrian in Derbyshire is advertising lessons.
 
HeyMich said:
I find I'm more reactive if I groom and tack up etc inside the stable - doing all the horsey prep outside helps a lot. I take antihistamines regularly too. My allergy is only mild though, nothing like the sounds of yours.

I'd go to the docs and maybe ask for to see a specialist, who can maybe narrow down your source of allergy by specific and controlled testing.
Click to expand...
I don't have allergies (thankfully), but my horse does and grooming him in the stable sets him off sneezing and headshaking.
 
I used to react (milder than what you describe but I had to wear gloves and shower and change clothes right after riding). Got worse as I got my own horse, due to more frequent contact, but then gradually better until I only reacted when he rubbed his whiskers into my skin. After a while I stopped reacting at all to my own, but for years I'd still react slightly to other people's horses. In latter years I've had a field full, and being presumably fully conditioned to different nags, now don't react to anything.

The Germans treat allergies by building up exposure with great success, which is great for minor allergies, but quite scary I imagine, if you're at risk of anaphylaxis.
What is worth knowing is that cat's make allergies worse. Avoid cats.
 
I phoned my GP today - had to wait 20 mins to be put through only to be told that today was full up and I could only have a telephone consultation when the doctor was free. Hopefully I’ll be able to be referred for an allergy test but will have to wait longer to be prescribed something:confused:
 
I'm allergic to hay, dust and the following animals- horses (I have 2), dogs (my horses are kept on a yard where the owner breeds and shows Labradors) cats (I have one and there is 6 yard cats), rabbits (yep, I have one!). I was diagnosed with asthma in my 30s after a chest infection which wouldn't shift after many courses of antibiotics and steroids and the allergies were confirmed with a blood test when they were diagnosing the asthma.
I'd strongly advise going to the GP to discuss, I'm on inhalers and montelukast which works a treat for me- I only get snuffly now with the rabbit (previously wheezy and tight chested)- he's the only one I used to see any reaction with and rarely need to use my Salbutamol inhalers. You may be able to see the practice nurse rather than a doctor, mine is great she worked with me to find an inhaler and dose that works for me as many made me jittery.
 
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