Adult child allergic dilemma

[Afolnerd]

We have just got 3 Guinea pigs for the younger 3 kids. They have been asking for them for years and sold some of their toys to be able to buy a huge cage. They are already after a week clearly very attached to them. Dd15 suffers from anxiety and has major health problems and her Guinea pig is having a very calming influence on her.

But it has become clear that ds18 is allergic to them. He seemed to be suffering a bit more with hay fever but we weren’t sure as it’s quite bad here at the moment. Both he and I suffer with hayfever so I bought the hypoallergenic hay and had it in the house for a few weeks before we got them in case either of us reacted. But it must be the actual Guinea pigs he is allergic to as he decided to cuddle one this afternoon and his eyes have swollen up and has has hives on his face.

I don’t know what to do? The kids will be devastated if we have to re home them. But obviously i can’t leave ds suffering. I plan on confining them to the playroom where the cage is for now and the kids can just hold and play with them in there. Obviously hand washing after holding them.
what else can I do to help ds?

Apparently you can have a serious reaction to them. Not that this helps you but I'd keep him well away from them.

Has he tried antihistamines?

Nothing to be honest - we had Guinea pigs and I became horrendously allergic to them over a period of time

i used to just stay completely away from them , make the kids wash their hands after they’d touched them etc …. Ours stayed outdoors in a fully insulated hutch because eventually I couldn’t even be in the same house as them

hopefully your sons allergies won’t get worse and avoidance will do the trick - I’d try keeping the playroom door shut all the time too

Consider calling 111 for advice if his eyes are swelling up.

Oh and take antihistamines at the first sign of an itchy eye!!

I discovered I was allergic to cats after we got two kittens - hives and swollen eyes if I stroked them and itchy weals if I got scratched. I couldn't bear to disappoint the DC so persevered and found that as long as I didn't actually touch them I was ok, though it took a few weeks for the hay fever type symptoms to subside.

I am OK with dogs as long as I don't actually touch them. Your DS may the same?
I would get him to his GP for a chat about some decent antihistamines, I think.

Thanks, he has taken antihistamines and I am keeping a close eye on him. It doesn’t seem to be getting any worse so hopefully he will be ok. I have told him to tell me if he gets wheezy or any problems with his throat and I will get him seen straight away.

I feel like the worst parent in the world. I have one suffering and 1 in tears at the injustice of maybe having to rehome them.

for now playroom door will be kept firmly shut and I will try and keep everything spotless and hopefully we can manage.

Well things have got worse here as now my daughter is reacting to them as well.

breeder is ok to have them back so they will be going back tomorrow probably.

lots of tears from everyone this morning including the one with the still partly swollen face.