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Hamster Allergies, and allergic reactions
Allergy is a term used to describe an adverse reaction by the body to a particular substance. Allergic reactions can cause a range of symptoms in animals and in humans. In humans, animals can incite an allergic reaction to sensitive individuals that may be allergic to animals. However, these allergies in humans are caused not by the animal’s fur but what is underneath it. So if you know you are allergic to one kind of animal then the chances are you will be allergic to any other animal that carries feathers or fur. See human allergies. And Kids and pets
Hamsters can also develop allergies; some reactions may be mild but can be more severe. Allergy is a very common disorder that can result in symptoms as benign as a runny nose. Theses allergies can relate to either food sensitivities or other external environmental factors.
Problems can sometimes arise with the hamsters bedding. No type of hamsters' bedding is totally dust free. Dust and fibres from pine wood shavings and other types of bedding have been known to cause allergic reactions in hamsters. Some hamsters can develop allergic reactions to any particular type of bedding used. This may result in fur loss, or sore areas of skin on the hamster. Symptoms such as red and swollen feet can be an allergic reaction to wood shavings or other particular types of bedding. Sneezing is more common when the allergens are being directly inhaled. Watery discharge from the eyes resulting in sticky eyes, persistent and frequent itching, running wet nose, fur loss, or red and sore bald patches may be an indication to an allergic reaction.
House hold products in aerosol cans, spray furniture polish, perfumes, air fresheners as well as cigarette smoke may well cause some hamsters to react badly. Probably the most important factor in rehabilitation is the removal of the source of the allergens from the environment. Some of the symptoms describe here, sneezing, running nose, watery eyes may also be caused by the common cold and may not be an allergic reaction.
Food sensitivities can also cause allergies in hamsters as well as in humans. Colouring is now widely used in the colouring of human food and pet foods. The most commonly used colour is "Tartrazine" known by the index number E102, this is a yellow dye more commonly known as the "Yellow Peril" and a dye that derives from coal tar, a by-product of petroleum, and theoretically toxic industrial waste. A toxic food additive that is approved by governments for human consumption supposedly regarded as safe. It is a very common used colour in the U K. It is used with other dyes to produce different shades of Green, Blue, etc: It is added in a great number of our foods and pet foods to produce the desired colours. It is used to colour pet foods such as dog biscuits and the coloured pieces of bulk found in hamster food. Tartrazine is suspected of causing the most allergic intolerance response in humans and in animals. Many people are sensitive to this colouring and may develop an adverse reaction to it ranging from mild to severe; this colouring is proven to cause similar problems with animals.
Tartrazine has been used for many years as a colouring for food; although we do not wish to raise any alarm about the use of Tartrazine: as it affects only a very small percentage of the general population. In fact more people have a greater intolerance to other foods such as milk and wheat than they do to Tartrazine. But it is known to cause problems especially for asthmatics and people who are very sensitive to aspirin may develop an adverse reaction to it.
Tartrazine is gradually being phased out but is still widely used in many of our foods in the U. K. Basically because it is cheaper than other alternatives for manufactures to use. It is known and proven to have an adverse effect on hyperactive children.
It is recommended that Tartrazine should not be consumed by children, but the absurd part about this recommendation is that tartrazine is added to ice cream, ice lollypops, sweets, gums, jams, jellies, yogurt, pop, and many of the favourite foods children are attracted to.
(Does the mind boggle or not?)
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