Allergic to my hamster?

[Sapphiretrueblue]

We got a pet syrian hamster for my daughter on the weekend. She's been so patient waiting for a pet so we were all looking forward to it. The hamster is very sweet. Anyway I've been getting watery eyes, stuffy nose etc. I have a type of asthma so I could be sensitive although I was tested a couple of years ago for pet dander allergy (cat, dog, horse) and wasn't. Same for dust mites etc. Now, I have put aspen wood shavings in so it could be that kicking dust out? I will switch to a paper bedding and see how that goes. I'm so worried that I am going to have to tell her we can't keep the wee thing! Hopefully can find a way around it.

Obvious question: do anti histamines help or is there a reason you cannot take them?

Hamsters have such short lives that it wouldn't be needed for too long (sadly).

I'm going to try an antihistamine today and see if it works but don't particularly want that to be the solution to an allergen in the house.

Can you house hamster in a room without carpet and with hard floors? Then vacuum every couple of days? I am allergic to cats and dogs but don’t react if the house has hard floors and is reasonably clean.

She's in a place with hard floor etc and the floor is cleaned regularly. I've been reading that wood shavings can really cause these kinds of issues for people so will go to the pet shop today and swap for paper and go from there. Thanks for your comment.