Itchiness after holding rats

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ratnewbie

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Hi guys, this may be a silly question and I couldnt find the original post where I had seen this so I apologised if this should not be posted here.
I've been experiencing itchiness after interacting with my mischief. And it didnt see too bad at first. It was just mild itchiness and redness and I read that its common amongst people and had to do with urine or feces trapped under their nails or something like that. But pictures I was seeing of that vs what I'm experiencing is different. Mine have progressed to full on hives after handling them. Am I allergic to them? It might seem like a common sense type of situation but I dont have any common allergies. I'm only allergic to tuna. And I had many animals my entire life including hamsters and never had this happen to me so I am completely dumbfounded by this entire situation.

I've included a hive and redness I got after holding my boy no more than 2 minutes while adding some goodies in their cage, gave him kisses then put him back. I get these anywhere that they've touched my skin, whether it's my back, my legs, my stomach etc.
 

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It is a possibility …. try doing the things people with allergies to rats do to see if it helps …… such as washing after holding them, wearing long sleeves and applying topical medication after handling them. Some people also use a air purifier with a permanent heap air filter and replaceable carbon filters (not an ionizer) re air quality

Intact boys have 100xs the amount of allergen in their urine as neutered boys so if you have access to a good vet with the knowledge and experience to safely neuter rats, you might consider neutering your boys
 
It looks exactly like what I get when I handle my rats. I've talked to my primary doctor and she suspects it's an allergy as well. Washing the hives with warm water and soap lessens the itchiness. Don't itch them, it'll make it worse! Trust me, I'm Sensitive Skin Central and all I want to do is scratch at it, but it just makes it worse.
I've also just dealt with it for three years that I don't even notice the hives anymore unless someone says "Oh my gosh, your arms! What happened?!"
 
I get hives from them too. As has been said, just cover up best you can, wash with soap after (do Not touch your eyes after interacting with them). For summer when you're wearing sleeveless clothes I've found it helps to cut the toes out of a pair of long socks so I can easily slide them on my arms, and get a turtleneck shirt from the 2nd hand store and cut it off just below the shoulders to slip over your neck. Quick & easy :) If i do get a welt I just Gently rub full-strength soap on it, then rinse it off, it should disappear soon. If it's bad I take an allergy pill.
 
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