Struggling with dust/horse? allergy - any advice?

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tye_bo

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I've had horses for about 25 years and I've always worn gloves when around them or riding which I think originally stems from having had bad ezcema on my hands, anyway it's something I've always done automatically. I know I've always been sensitive to dust from filling haynets (making me sneeze, chesty, eyes watering etc) and I've sometimes worn a dust mask when filling nets.

My mare went on loan when I had my baby in 2010 and I've just her back earlier this year. Since then I don't know if I'm more sensitive because I'm aware I've had that gap in being around horses so not so used to it, or if I am actually more sensitive physically but if I touch a horse without gloves before I know it my eyes are itching like crazy. I always wear gloves round her and now she's in at night and I've got stables duties to do like mucking out/filling nets I always wear a dust mask too. Despite that my eyes for the last couple of weeks are itchy and in a morning really swollen. I'm at the doctors Thursday because I'm at my wits end.

Does anyone else suffer? Does it sound like a horse allergy? How do you deal with it? I'll be wearing a full bio hazard suit at this rate.
 
I get itchy eyes & blotchy skin if I touch any animal then accidently touch my face or eyes so I sympathise. I always have antihistamines (sp) on hand which really help.
 
I can't go near hay so use haylage instead. I groom outside too rather than in the stable and keep my car spotless. Keep wipes in the car for the dust on the dashboard, or when you turn the heater on to de-mist the windscreen the dust blows in your face. I can't have cheap chippings I need big flakes and very low dust or hemp bedding is good. I'm ok touching horses, cats etc, but can't live with indoor pets. Metal shedding blades, fluffy mits and cactus cloths are good for grooming without flicking up dust and mud. If you're in barn stables (less airflow) do somebody else's mucking out and get them to lay your bed when you need to put new bales in. Keep the bed clean so there's minimal mould spores and the cobwebs hoovered off the stable walls. Full clip the horse (someone else, not you!) and hog it. I find its all about dust/hair/mould avoidance.
 
Yep, I use Beconase nasal spray - supposed to be for hayfever, but I have a mild horsehair allergy, worse in summer as I have hayfever too.
 
I get really bad hayfever symptoms from pollen, dust, autumn leaf litter mould, and all the nature you meet around horses!

I take normal antihistamines and my horse lives out so I don't have to deal with bedding and rarely hay. I wear a dust mask when dealing with a lot of hair or shedding coat etc, and sometimes when riding in the country if hayfever is very bad and I'm on my own!

I also keep baby wipes on hand in the car so I can wipe my hands/face after I touch the horses, if I touch my eyes they go crazy and my face gets itchy bumps, but I have normal asda itchy eye drops which work well.

I do find you build up a tolerance to your own animals though, I had a rabbit who I was quite allergic to but ok with a tablet every few days, he went to live with my parents when a rented house wouldn't allow it and now I have to take 2 or 3 tablets just to go over there as I can hardly breathe and super itchy if I dont!

I guess with eczema gloves and maybe barrier cream will help but I do understand it is a nightmare, hopefully you will get used to it but immunotherapy may be an option if it is quite a specific allergy e.g. to horses x
 
OP, speak to your doctor and ask about a drug called SINGULAIR/MONTELUKAST.

I have been allergic to horses, hay, straw etc etc for ever. I also have asthma. I have had horses for 40 years and do them myself everyday.

In Feb this year, I picked up a cold and ended up in hospital with pneumonia. They told me I was really ill. After I came home and was put under the care of a different doctor in the practice that I have been registered with for years, I was given Singulair/Montelukast on a trial period of a month.

This drug works by dampening down allergic reactions (for anything - housedust animals etc). It works a treat, it has to be taken at night and for me it has been fantastic.

I no longer sneeze when I am on the yard, my eyes don't itch, my hands/arms don't come out in hives anymore and my chest is good. I can wear my farm clothes until they stand up by themselves now. Before the drug 2 days would be a maximum. Asthma is controlled by the usual preventer in the mornings and I rarely need the reliever, although I do keep plenty of them in the yard.

I do try to be half sensible, I use a mask if I put straw down and to fill haymets. I have even clipped this year, again with a mask and an immediate shower - but I was fine which was great because clipping has been out of the question.

I did ask the GP why it has taken so long to offer this drug to me and was told it is an expensive drug so OP, you may need to push the subject a bit.
 
Thank you all!! I do try the preventative measures already ie brushing outside etc and I feel quite lucky as I obviously don't it as bad as some of you guys. I've been to the doctor today and got some eye drops. I didn't really want tablets as it's my eyes that are the effected part so I'll see how I get on with the drops first and go back if I don't find they help. x
 
Hi,
I'm allergic to horses and dust too. the more time I spend with horses, the less allergic I am.
I have had a course of treatment for the dust allergy which involved being injected with increasing doses of dust, which built up a resistance.
I have heard of allergy clinics where they offer treatment, and I would certainly try this if my treatment ever wore off (had it at 12, now 30 something!).
I would also try homeopathy, which involves treating like with like, so similar to the original treatment, but not so aggressive, as its tiny tiny amounts.

Hope you find a soloutionsoon as its very miserable,
 
hi i suffer really badly and cant breathe /cough my lungs up for about 2 hours every day sneeze wheeze and generally suffer all year round. my doctor gave me telfast which is a prescription only antihistamine and stronger than over the counter ones.and the beconase nasal spray is a godsend ,also hayfever eye drops really help
singulair/montelukast is given to asthmatics to reduce mucus in the lungs and its an anti-inflamatory so may help but your doctor might baulk at giving it to you until youve tried other (cheaper) options. good luck:)
 
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