allergy to parrots

Allergy of any type is an insidious disease. Its symptoms can appear both immediately and after a couple of months. It is impossible to predict an allergic reaction without the help of special medical equipment. But if you decide to get any exotic bird, you should definitely know if there is an allergy to a parrot, how it manifests itself in children and adults, and what treatments are possible.

What Causes Parrot Allergies?

The experts concluded that an allergic reaction to parrots occurs for two reasons.

1. Proteins (antigens) are found primarily in the saliva of the bird, which is transferred to the feathers during the hygienic procedures of the parrot (feather cleaning), and are also present in its droppings and skin scales.
2. Ticks are parasites. Dangerous are the products of their vital activity.

How does an allergy occur?

The protein that is released is very light and small in structure, therefore it quickly spreads throughout the room, remains on things, furniture and carpets, enters the respiratory tract of a person who, perhaps, did not even approach the parrot.

The immune system of a person who is predisposed to allergies perceives the antigen not as ordinary dust, but as a serious threat and throws out a huge amount of histamine and other biologically active substances.

Please note that it happens that the new purchased food for the parrot, and not the bird itself, can cause an allergic reaction. Certain grains or synthetic vitamin supplements can also cause an allergic reaction.

How does parrot allergy manifest?

• itching, redness, swelling and tearing of the eyes. Signs of conjunctivitis;
• sneezing, runny nose, discharge from the nasal passages. Complex signs of allergic rhinitis;
• sore throat, coughing attacks with wheezing when inhaling and exhaling;
• lack of oxygen, a person begins to suffocate – symptoms of bronchial asthma;
• skin itching, redness and swelling of the skin;
• itching in the throat, nasal passages and mouth.

In the case when a person does not turn to an allergist in time, the condition begins to worsen: prolonged headaches are accompanied, nosebleeds appear and the sense of smell is blocked.

What is an allergy to parrots?

Alveolitis

If an adult or child has intolerance to a bird, it is possible to damage the lungs, that is, the development of alveolitis. In this case, air permeability is significantly reduced due to seals on the alveoli. If an allergy to parrots in children or adults has manifested itself, the symptoms are quite clear, it is very important to start treatment quickly.

In the neglected version, doctors will help get rid of alveolitis only in a hospital. Regular checks of respiratory function and special therapy will be required. In addition, doctors say that the only way to completely get rid of allergies, unfortunately, is to completely abandon the content of the parrot.

Allergic alveolitis manifests itself after conjunctivitis and rhinitis – therefore it is very important to protect a person from the allergen and take measures to restore health.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

The disease manifests itself in the form of severe lacrimation. It feels like a foreign body has got into the eye. Sometimes itching of the eyelids may occur. All symptoms disappear if an exotic bird is removed from the house.

nasal allergy

Along with mucous discharge from the nose and sneezing comes allergic rhinitis. To get rid of nasal congestion, patients often buy vasoconstrictor drops or sprays on their own. But these drugs only exacerbate the symptoms. If rhinitis worsens, headaches and nosebleeds are possible.

Budgerigars: bird allergy and its features

1. There is swelling on the skin.
2. Perhaps the appearance of bronchospasm and severe swelling of the mucous membranes.
3. To remove foreign substances, the body provokes coughing and sneezing.
4. Itching, tearing and redness of the eyes appear.

The peculiarity of an allergy is that it is impossible to get rid of it without eliminating the cause of the appearance. That is, if a person continues to be near a parrot, the disease will only worsen.

Thus, he is forbidden contact with the bird, and even cleaning its cage. But often alveolitis does not appear immediately. The deterioration is slow and almost imperceptible.

What are the consequences of an allergy to a parrot in children

If you have young bird lovers in your home, it is very important to know what exactly are the symptoms of a parrot allergy in children.

1. Seals appear on the affected areas of the alveoli. The child feels difficulty in breathing.
2. Obstruction forms in the lungs and bronchi.
3. There is a cough that gets worse over time.
4. Air does not circulate properly in the body.
5. The lung capacity decreases by 3-4 times.
6. Shortness of breath begins.

Allergic alveolitis can manifest itself in three forms: acute, subacute and chronic.

The acute development of the disease most often overtakes children. Protein quickly enters the respiratory tract and symptoms of severe alveolitis begin to appear:

• after 6 hours, the child begins to shiver and shortness of breath appears;
• breathing becomes very heavy, the body quickly weakens;
• due to oxygen starvation, blue extremities and mucous membranes (cyanosis) occur.

If the child began to cough and he developed shortness of breath, complains of pain in the muscles and bones, feels obvious weakness and fatigue, lost his appetite and began to lose weight – these symptoms indicate chronic alveolitis.

Adults who have had chronic alveolitis have difficulties with work for health reasons.

The most severe allergic symptoms are observed in a person who has been in direct contact with the bird and its cage: cleaning the pan, washing the feeders, changing the water, touching the fallen feathers.

If children are prone to this kind of violation, unfortunately, you should immediately get rid of the allergen. But if nothing is done, the alveolar tissue will gradually be replaced by connective tissue. The process cannot be reversed.

Treatment

An allergic reaction in children is more dangerous than in adults. In this case, it is extremely important to start treatment quickly.

1. First of all, you should save the child from contact with the bird. The parrot will have to be given to someone or returned to the store.
2. Carry out a thorough wet cleaning throughout the apartment.
3. Use antihistamines prescribed by your doctor. You cannot choose a medical device on your own.
4. If there is already alveolitis or shortness of breath, the specialist will also prescribe bronchodilators.
5. In a state of neglect, the patient is sent to the hospital. They carry out breathing exercises, chest massage, oxygen inhalation.

It may take several months of treatment to eliminate the complications of the disease.

How do you know if you are allergic to parrots?

Before acquiring a parrot, it is better to immediately figure out if allergic reactions are possible. There are several methods for this.

1. Allergist consultation. Skin tests and special tests by a specialist.
2. Visit a poultry breeder several times. At the first contact with a parrot, an allergic reaction may not occur. It is better to “talk” with the bird several times.

It should be understood that if a person already has an allergy to any drugs or food, he is more susceptible to another allergic reaction.

This should be taken into account when buying a bird. But allergists do not recommend getting a parrot for people with existing disorders.