Allergic???

[sebastianthechameleon]

I have a 7 month old veilled. His diet contains mostly crickets. I am allergic to most species of roaches but i have never fed my cham any species as i stuck to the worm family and to crickets. I handle my chameleon once or twice a month at most to either give the chameleon a check to make sure there is no symptoms of diseases that i cant find like under his belly or his legs. I also have to take him out/handle when i give the enclosure a deap clean with reptile safe cleaing supplies. His nails have reached the point where they are officially puncturing my skin. I have been punctured when he was 4 months becuase i purchased him from the pet store and took him home to the enclosure and he wouldnt let go. I believe i may be alergic to my chameleon. i get small hives and redness/irritation on my skin. I realize how crazy that sounds but i have heard stories of people with serious symptoms around chameleons like mine. Does anyone have an idea what this might be caused by or anyone with the same symptoms. Will this get worse. Or is this a sign of sickness in my chameleon. He has been sassy lately when i open the enclosure for food. My family told me that the attitude started when i switched his diet. I switched it back to the usual and he is fine now; but im still getting that irritation. Any info would help thanks so much!!!

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. This is a great place to learn about chameleons and meet other keepers. I have never had this problem but I have read on here before where other keepers broke out with the red marks after handling their chameleons. Some members said the same thing happened when they handle their cats. I have not seen it often maybe two or three time in the 9 years I've been on the forums.

 

[Lathis]

When I first got my first cham, I wondered the same thing because the little nail marks just itched so much. Now, I suspect it was just me scratching and irritating the area without realizing it. It does seem to happen anymore, but at first I did wonder if I was allergic to my chameleon.

Always, always wash your hands and arms after handling your cham and that redness and itching won't happen. Wash them before too so you don't spread anything to the chameleon.

 

[brownie64]

I agree with Lathis always wash your hands make it a habit . I even got salmonella poisoning once although rare with chameleons it can happen. And you can take it from me you don't want that.

 

[Carlton]

Another thing to consider is whether you might be allergic to the tree or shrub your cage branches came off of (if they happen to be naturally barked branches from outdoors...the cham's claws scratch the branch and the tips might have bark material on them). A very simple solution is to wear a long-sleeved shirt when you plan to have your cham climbing around on you.

 

[Nursemaia]

It doesn't happen to me but after my mom handles my cham she breaks out into an itchy rash everywhere it has walked on her. She's also diligent about proper hand washing after handling and I'm generally the one getting it out of the enclosure when she comes over for a visit.

 

[WAMBO]

I bought a batch of crickets from eBay, which were the healthiest I've seen. I got a rash from either the crickets or the box contents that would not go away. I first thought I had Lyme disease, then a fungal infection from the cricket box dust, and prescribed meds accordingly. I finally gaved up and went to the dermatologist who gave me a shot of steroids and I improved. I carefully handle the remainder of the 5000 crickets and wash my hands throroughly afterward. My butt stills hurts from the shot last week.

 

[sebastianthechameleon]

Thanks so much for the help guys! Washing my hands helped alot. I always wash before i handle but not usually afterwords (which is dumb). Thanks for all the help. Great community *thumbs up*

 

[WAMBO]

Thanks so much for the help guys! Washing my hands helped alot. I always wash before i handle but not usually afterwords (which is dumb). Thanks for all the help. Great community *thumbs up*

Obviously, over the counter Benedryl [oral] will also help, but could make you drowsy/sleepy. The topical remedies can also give relief, but if iching is keeping you awake from sleep, Benedryl will definitely help.

 

[Haileybug]

Try taking Benadryl to see if that helps after holding this may sound silly but do you have anxiety? Holding him if it freaks you out not for the fact it's a lizard but maybe Bc you're scared you'll hurt him or stress him etc I have anxiety and certain things will make me break out in hives