My son is allergic to his new chicks

[Larkin]

Has tried almost every pill they have out there for allergies and none are fantastic for him but I guess it's better than nothing. Tried a Nettie Pot and that was a disaster, he was too congested and it didn't even come out the other nostril! I will have to see when his symptoms calm down if he can handle the chicks away from the coop and see what happens..
I went today and bought him a good quality dust mask that he will have to wear when he goes in to see if that will help. I'll make sure to get him in the shower to de-dander him at night but during the day that's impossible since he is in and out so often. Maybe when school starts it will be easier since he won't be living in there! I'll keep you updated on the DANDER vs. PINE SHAVINGS!!
Thanks all for your comments and suggestions, I really appreciate your responses!

 

[wildeflowers]

I am actually allergic to the chickens, too. The dander when they were feathering out was really bad for me, so much that I was worried I made a mistake. I take Singulair for asthma, and that helps with allergies a bit. Now that they are older, I have to say it is much better. I could never have a house chicken, but I go in the cook, clean it, hold them, etc, and do not have enough of a reaction to warrant me doing anything else. I think the dust mask is probably a good idea, and I think things will probably get better for him, too. I worry a little bit about poultry pneumonia thing when lung function is already compromised due to allergies or asthma.

 

[TcherDawn]

My son has allergies and is allergic to our chicks too. We upped his Zyrtec from 1tsp to 2tsp once daily while the chicks were brooding in our house and that helped tremendously. They are outside now, and the dust is slowly being cleaned away, and he is getting a bit better. BUT, August is Hay fever time, so his allergies(as well as mine and my husbands) get bad in August anyway, so that could be part of it too. An art smock worn over his shirt when he holds the chicks as well as hand washing and using a wet wash cloth on his face to get the dander off could help. We have had to increase showers to every night since the chicks came. Oh well, for the love of chicks! My boys and I are smitten. Good luck.

 

[speedy2020]

I am using shred news paper and junk mail. It might not be allergic to chick, but the material bedding.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

The Mask is a good idea. A pair of "Chicken Shoes" and a light weight longsleeved shirt that he can keep out by the coop may be in order too.

Try pine pellets such as Feline Pine cat little. It's not nearly as dusty a pine bedding. It's cheaper if you buy it as Horse bedding at Tractor Supply. Same stuff, bigger back and cheaper!!

 

[triggfamily5]

I have problems with pine shavings, not just the bedding, but if we are cutting wood that is pine too. My allergies got really topped off during allergy testing this year and I had an asthma attack when I was taking care of the chicks in the brooder (I have only had 2 asthma attacks in my life, and only when my allergies finally have topped over the edge).

When I am around shavings being scuffled, I wear a dust mask and as soon as I am done, go to the bathroom and wash my face and hands. Repeat that after changing clothes, and make sure I get my hair washed out that night.

 

[chicknerd]

Chicks create a lot of dust. I have severe allergies and found it was the dust I was allergic too. When they got older and into their own house (not mine) my symptoms went away. I also wear a mask when I clean the coop. I am allergic to birds per se, but this seems to keep the allergies to a minimum.

YMMV

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

Whoa!!! You're never supposed to use a Neti pot when congested! My husband suffers severe allergies and the only thing that has them under control is a neti pot. He has to do it daily so he doesn't get congested. Maybe it's the bedding your child is allergic to. It would be so unfortunate for it to be the chickens!

 

[pnuts]

i use hay

 

[pnuts]

i mean straw**