Allergic to Chickens?

[JackieK318]

Does anyone get really dry skin after handling their chickens? I have handled mine a ton this week and my hands are so dry! I can't correlate the dryness with anything else.

 

[BeckyLa]

If you have recently dusted your birds, especially with DE, that could dry out your hands. But it could also be that you wash your hands every time you handle them. Washing with soap, or antibacterial soap, is very drying.

 

[JackieK318]

Could be. Also, my daughter was sick this week. I guess I just don't realize how much I wash my hands...

 

[hisbride]

My hands aren't' dry although I do wash after handling them. I use lotion right after washing. But I do wonder if I am allergic to them because my sinuses go hay wire when I'm out there messing with them. I'm ok to get the eggs because that does nto involve going in the coop but if we pick up a hen or if I reach in and pet one and get close my nose starts giving me that funny feeling like I experience during pollen season.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Hmmm... we've wondered this too. Does anybody have or know someone that has had any allergic reactions to chickens? If so, what were the symptoms?

 

[Gracefulspice]

Mabey it's the bedding you use your allergic too?

I do notice the have a dander. Plus if the free range mine like to get into tall grasses and get the pollen all over them. Not good for when my hubby gets close to them cause he has seasonal allergies. Especially when they shake.

It goes everywhere!!

 

[chicks rule]

Antibacterial soaps are the worst for drying skin out, also I would think the dust flying around a coop can irritating to the sinuses. Alot of times when people are allergice to say man made fibers they resort to feather pillows and mattresses, so who knows. I know when I am in the coop it irritates my senses, but I have no allergies. Will be interesting to see what everyone has to add.

 

[hisbride]

I could understand that but there are in an enclosed run. There isn't any grass. There is pine straw in the nesting boxes.

 

[barg]

Dust Mites, are a very common allergy. Bird feathers create dust and so does the bedding. Where there is dust, there are usually dust mites.
Not much you can do about it, if thats what the problem is.

 

[JackieK318]

I normally get dry skin in the winter on my hands, but this is going from my knuckles to my elbows. I'm usually not sensitive to pollen (so that rules out the chickens running in the lilies as the issue), but mold and dust somewhat. I just figured I'd be stuffy as well, but my skin is just so afflicted! Could be from hand washing, but I guess I'll never know since I wash my hands directly after handling chickens.

I need to take my chickens to get allergy prevention treatments...could you imagine the look on that groomer's face!!!