The term “hypoallergenic” refers to something that is either free of allergens or has a very low chance of causing an allergic reaction in humans when exposed to it. There are no government-mandated standards for what constitutes hypoallergenic food or clothing.
Because of this, there is no standard procedure that we can follow in order to determine whether something is hypoallergenic or not. That is why many people assert that a product is hypoallergenic or that a particular breed of pet is hypoallergenic, when this is simply not true in practice.
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Does that mean you should be concerned about the allergic reaction?
No, guinea pig allergies should not be a major source of concern unless and until you are a highly sensitive individual like me. As you can see, any pet can cause an allergic reaction in any person, but that does not rule out owning a pet altogether.
Many people, including those who are allergic to pets, enjoy having pets in their homes. However, many people believe that once they are diagnosed with an allergy to a pet, they are unable to have any pets. Today, we’re going to dispel this urban legend.
Are guinea pig allergies common?
No, Guinea pigs are not the type of pet that typically causes allergies in a large number of people. Although most animals, including mice, cockroaches, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and even horses, can cause allergic reactions in humans, there are some exceptions.
Horses and cats, out of all the animals listed above, are the ones that cause the most allergic reactions because they carry the most allergens. People who are allergic to cats are twice as likely as those who are allergic to dogs or any other animals when it comes to small animals.
Given that cats roam around the house, spreading the allergen all over the place, and that dogs are the ones who are closest to us, we should avoid cats. They pose a greater threat than a small animal such as a guinea pig that is present in its cage in a specific area of your home.
Can you be allergic to guinea pigs?
Yes, it is possible to develop an allergic reaction to guinea pigs. It has been observed that people who are sensitive or who have a family history of asthma, hypersensitivity, or other allergies to guinea pigs can develop an allergy to them. 90% of the population, on the other hand, does not share this view.
Many people believe that guinea pigs are the source of their allergy, but this may not always be the case, depending on the situation. It’s possible that when you brought them home, they had something attached to their skin or fur that was causing the allergic reaction to occur. It is preferable if you first consult with a doctor to determine what is causing the reaction before making a final decision.
Some people are also allergic to the smell of guinea pigs, which is understandable. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about the smell of Guinea pigs and how to avoid it.
Why am I allergic to guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are not always the source of an allergic reaction. Most of the time, when people claim to be allergic to guinea pigs, it is because they are allergic to one of the allergens carried by the animal. So, what exactly is an allergen, and how does it manifest itself?
Remember when I said that any warm-blooded animal with hair, fur, or feathers can cause an allergic reaction in a human being? Well, that is still true. To be precise, I meant that the protein that is attached to it is responsible for the allergy. In most cases, it is not the hairs or fur themselves that are the source of your allergy; rather, it is the protein that is attached to them.
What are these proteins in their most basic form? Cav P I and Cav P II are the two types of protein that are commonly found attached to the hair of guinea pigs. These proteins are generally carried and transmitted by the guinea pig’s dander, saliva, or urine, depending on the species. Allow me to explain in detail to you all how these are transmitted and how they cause allergic reactions in human beings to occur.
Table of Contents
Dander
Humans are allergic to dander, which is the first and most fundamental cause of an allergic reaction. It consists primarily of the dead skin cells that animals shed on a regular basis from their bodies. It is one of the primary allergens responsible for the development of allergic reactions in humans.
It is inevitable that the dander produced by warm-blooded animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, regardless of breed, size, or hair length, will spread throughout the surrounding area, eventually causing allergic reactions. Generally speaking, these allergies are caused by proteins found in the dander itself.
Saliva
Cav P I and Cav P II are the most prevalent cavitation proteins in guinea pig saliva. The most common allergen in Guinea pigs, which causes a wide range of allergic reactions in humans, is this one. Guinea pigs are clean animals, and they groom themselves on a regular basis, if not constantly.
Guinea pigs groom their fur with the help of a white wax-like liquid that comes from the end of their eyes and their own saliva in the majority of cases. Their saliva protein is frequently deposited on the surface of their fur.
In this way, whenever we come into contact with fur, the protein allergen reacts with the individual, resulting in life-threatening allergic reactions.
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Urine
Cav P I and Cav P II are found in the urine of guinea pigs, just as they are in the saliva of the animals. It has been discovered that the concentration of these proteins in urine is even higher than that in saliva.
Given that guinea pigs are caged animals, they typically have very limited space to move around in. Additionally, because they eat and pee in the same cage, it is not uncommon for urine to seep through their fur. Furthermore, if their cage is not cleaned on a daily basis, the likelihood of them becoming infected increases even further.
Small mammals, such as guinea pigs, are particularly sensitive to this allergen, which is one of the most common in the world. The grease glands are the most infected part of the body because they contain a high concentration of allergens.
Note: Aside from these instances, we have discovered that many people are actually allergic to guinea pig hay and bedding. As a result, it is extremely important to first identify the source of the allergy and then take the necessary steps to prevent it from recurring.
Source: US National Library of Medicine.
How to know if you are allergic to guinea pigs?
Although the severity of an allergy to guinea pigs varies from person to person, there is a general pattern. In general, the majority of those who are allergic to guinea pigs exhibit some of the most common symptoms of such an allergy. These symptoms can be milder in one person while being extremely severe in another person.
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy skin and eyes
- Red rashes in some parts of the skin(mostly hands).
- Nausea
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
It is true that some people experience more visible allergic reactions than others. If you are unsure about the procedure, you can wait and carefully observe your body for any signs of uneasiness before proceeding. However, just because you sneezed when you were around guinea pigs does not necessarily imply that you are allergic to them.
There have been some severe cases of diseases caused by guinea pig allergies, and these have resulted in hospitalization. Some of the most severe diseases are as follows:
- Asthma
- Rhinitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Eczema
- Anaphylactic shock
Despite the fact that these diseases are extremely rare cases of allergies and are extremely unlikely to occur, In the majority of cases, you will only experience minor symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and so on.
Please keep in mind that I am not a licensed medical professional. All of the information provided below has been gathered from reliable sources, but for proper medical advice, always consult your doctor!
What to do if you are allergic to guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs can cause allergies in some people, but this does not rule out the possibility of owning a guinea pig or any other pet in the future. There are steps we can take in order to stop being allergic to guinea pigs and to reduce the amount of allergens in our indoor environment, assuming that your allergy is not severe. If you are allergic to guinea pigs and your allergy is not severe, we can take steps to stop being allergic and to reduce the amount of allergens in our indoor environment.
- Keep the guinea pigs’ cage out of the bedroom at all times. If at all possible, provide them with a separate room to ensure that the allergen does not spread throughout the entire house or building.
- Make an effort to provide adequate ventilation and airflow in the area where your guinea pigs are housed. Using an H.E.P. (High-Efficiency Pump) is also recommended. A good air purifier will remove all of the allergens from the air and keep it clean even further..
- If you have an allergy to hay or their bedding, try to store them outside your home in a cool, dry location if at all possible.
Regularly clean the floor of the room, the curtains, and any other items present in the room where the guinea pigs are housed in order to ensure that they are free of allergens. - Make sure that the cage is cleaned on a daily basis by someone who is not allergic so that the allergens do not accumulate over time.
- Once a week or so, thoroughly clean your cage with vinegar and soap, as this will greatly improve the sanitization of your pet’s living environment.
- Avoid using hay or pine bedding and instead opt for a more effective bedding that keeps the cage cleaner. CareFresh, Cell-sorb, or a towel are all good options.
- Make an effort to only use high-quality hay. There are numerous brands that provide hay that is free of dust and that is fresh.
- When working with hay, you can protect your hands by wearing gloves and wearing a face mask, or you can delegate the task to someone else.
- Before and after handling your guinea pigs, wash your hands thoroughly. If possible use a towel to hold them whenever possible.
- Wash the towel used for holding after every time it is used. This shall prevent any spreading of allergens in your skin.
- Use a good vacuum cleaner to clean your house on a regular basis. this shall clean away all the dust and dander from the environment.
- Do not bring your guinea pigs near your mouth and neck. These are the most sensitive area of your skin. If possible avoid taking your guinea pigs in your beds and other mattresses.
- You can also use some medication to relieve yourself from the allergy. Allergy shots, antihistamines, decongestants, inhalers, etc works great in decreasing the symptoms over time.
- You can also consume a diet high in Vitamin C for making your immune system strong against such allergy and curing them in the long-term.
Despite the fact that there is no specific or proper treatment for the condition. Many people who want to own a guinea pig despite having an allergy have found that a combination of keeping a clean living environment and taking medication has proven to be effective.
I’m Allergic To My Guinea Pigs & Hay
You can learn more about pet allergies in this article from a helpful resource.
Conclusion: Guinea pigs and allergies
Are Guinea Pigs Hypoallergenic? Certainly, guinea pigs are not hypoallergenic, but the vast majority of people are not allergic to these furry little companions. Some people do experience allergy symptoms, which can be alleviated by employing the methods outlined above.
As an alternative, I would recommend that you first go to a pet store or borrow a friend’s guinea pig for a few hours to see how your body reacts to them before making any decisions. If your body is in good health, you should be able to obtain a guinea pig without difficulty. Otherwise, you’ll have to rethink your decision to purchase the Guinea pig all over again.
You should learn more about guinea pigs before getting one for yourself, and if you haven’t done so already, now might be a good time to begin your research. You should take the time to read the following articles:
Related Questions
Are there any hypoallergenic guinea pig breeds?
There are no hypoallergenic guinea pigs available at this time. In reality, there are no hypoallergenic warm-blooded animals with hair, fur, or feathers that are also warm-blooded. Despite the fact that some animals produce more allergens than others, allergen-free animals are a complete fabrication..
Are skinny pigs hypoallergenic?
No, just like regular guinea pigs, skinny guinea pigs can cause allergies in people. Previously, we discussed how the protein found in the guinea pig’s dander, saliva, and urine is the root cause of the allergic response. Hair is not the source of allergy, but it is unquestionably a carrier of allergen in some instances.
As a result, the idea that a hairless guinea pig is hypoallergenic is a complete myth.
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Sources: Severe allergic reactions to a guinea pig, allergic reactions to guinea pig
