DD allergic to horses, she wants to carry on riding.. what next?

[Wags]

DD (6) went horse riding at the weekend and had an allergic reaction. She rubbed her eyes with her hands whilst she was riding and her eyes started stinging and were itchy. Within about 20 minutes they were really, really swollen and sore with nettle rash round them and her nose was runny and she said her throat tickled. We went and got piriton and about an hour or so later it had all calmed down and she was fine. Its no surprise as DH is the same. She is keen to carry on horse riding so does any one have any advice? Next time I was going to dose her with piriton just before she goes. Is this the only way? How long before should I dose her. She is almost 7 so I give her the 5ml dose. Is that OK?

She is due to have allergy tests soon as we think she is also allergic to pistachio and cashew nuts. They make her tongue sting and she vomits within an hour or so. Will also mention the horse thing as well when we go, just wondered if anyone had any helpful hints. I had horses for years, I am gutted for her

Don't really know what to say, what a shame, does not sound very healthy to still ride with a horse allergy...someone we know has the same reaction with horses and was living by stables, doc. allergist recommended to move somewhere else asap ..best thing would be to see a doctor and ask for long term effects..
Sorry to sound negative,
Good luck!

Poor DD

It all depends on the severity of the allergy I think. I had a horse as a child/teen and my friend had one too and had an allergy. She was able to control it with over the counter meds but I have another friend who truly cannot be any where near horses, I could not even meet her in my riding gear without her getting v poorly bless her.

I hope your DD is like my friend that managed just fine and still works with horses till this day It's a wonderful hobby to have.

I had exactly the same thing myself as an 11/12 year old. I kept riding for another couple of years, having anti-histamines before going. I gave up about 2 years later as the allergy seemed to be getting stronger and the drugs not working so well.

I do still ride very occasionally now, as an adult, and it is much better if I am out in the fresh air rather than an indoor school and if I jump straight in the shower as soon as possible afterwards. I can stroke horses at a farm etc but am very conscious of not putting my hands to my face until I have thoroughly washed them, and I still get a tickly nose and throat.

I agree with the others about asking a doctor's advice. It's a shame for your dd though.

Thanks for the responses. She has been around horses before and had short pony rides etc and seemed OK. We have had dogs since she was born until recently. If she ever used to cuddle up to them or rub her face over them she would get the slight nettle rash so I have always been on the lookout for the horse allergy. She rode a few weeks back and was fine but it was pouring with rain so I think that damped the hair down a bit! She was riding outside but I saw her rub her eyes with her riding gloves on and they were covered in hair. Will have to see what they say when her appointment for the allergy clinic comes through.

Sounds just like my dd's reaction to horses. She has multiple allergies and asthma. Her reaction to horses has got worse with each exposure to the point where she has been prescribed an epipen. I guess your choice depends on how bad your daughter feels and whether her reaction also gets stronger each time and whether she experiences difficulty breathing. My dd was fine with horses until she was 3yrs, now she is 12yrs and can't go near them or anyone else who has ridden. Make sure you have Piriton with you every time she rides, just in case. Good luck.

Thats what I am worried about TinyTalker that the reaction might get worse each time. Going riding again after Easter, so will be armed with Piriton, but also hoping her appointment with allergy clinic will come up so we can see more whats what and I can talk to them about it.

Does she have any other allergies, asthma or excema? If she does this can increase the risk of more severe reactions. Since my dd's first bad reaction to horses she has developed a lot more allergies. Most severely with animals but now also some foods, dust mites, moulds and tree pollens. Don't want to alarm you or impose my situation onto yours but it's best to be forewarned (my opinion anyway!) Best of luck.

Thanks Tinytalker, the more info the better. She had baby excema but had grown out of it by about 16mths. A couple of years ago she was sick after eating a nut possibly cashew. Wasn't sure if it was related, she is fine with peanuts. Then it happened again after nougat with pistachio. She hadn't had them since but a few weeks ago she had some flapjack with both sorts of nuts in, took 2 bites and said it made her tongue sting (she didn't know the nuts were in there). Again she was sick within an hour or so. Thats why she is going to the allergy clinic. The nut thing happened a few week before horse riding. She has been OK with horses previously.

DH is asthmatic, has hayfever, is allergic to horses. DD never shown any signs of asthma. Her cousins on DH's side are asthmatic and one of them has an epi pen for nut allergy. Not looking great is it!!

Sorry but it doesn't
Sounds very like our history. Though if there's no asthma, might be manageable with piriton.
Let us know how it goes. Fingers crossed X

Allergic reactions involving tickling throats need to be take V seriously.

I have a latex allergy & was told to avoid anything else (there are certain fruits etc) that causes my mouth/throat to tingle as I would be at greater risk of anaphalatic shock.

My allergy started after years of wearing the gloves for work (dental nurse) and progressively got worse. Started with a mild irritation (itching skin) then a rash & now I get swollen eyes/tingly throat just by being exposed to air borne particles in a room that has previously had latex users in.

I wouldn't go again until she has been assessed.

Smile! there is hope. Google the word CURLY horse and allergy and you'll find that this type of horse is the only one allergic people can ride. Need to have/keep all the gear separate from other horses.
it may be difficult to find one near your home, but there are now in france and belgium riding centre specialised.
Good luck