Developed a bumpy rash after touching hay!

Sophie's Humble Servant · Apr 27, 2014

Hey,

I'm kinda freaking out a bit. I was digging through Sophie's Timothy hay, at the moment it's Kaytee brand because they didn't have her other kind and my wrist suddenly got really itchy and these 5 little hives appeared. They proceeded to swell and become 2 large hives!

I checked her hay for those blister beetle things but can't see anything. I've always touched her hay and have never had an issue.

Should I be worried? Is this what blister beetle venom looks like?

Brownies · Apr 27, 2014

Is it possible that your just allergic? Or they just tickled your skin and it got itchy? Is there bugs in the hay?

Nancy McClelland · Apr 27, 2014

I'm allergic to Timothy, so I use orchard grass--no bumps, no itch.

Sophie's Humble Servant · Apr 27, 2014

I didn't see any bugs. This has never happened before. As far as I know I'm not allergic to hay....but the bumps are starting to go down in size so I'm thinking it couldn't be from blister beetles.

Maybe I'm developing an allergy to hay?

Bville · Apr 27, 2014

It could be something in that particular bag of hay, but allergies can develop at any time. You might want to wear gloves for now when you pick up the hay and see how it goes.

Sophie's Humble Servant · Apr 27, 2014

Bville said:
It could be something in that particular bag of hay, but allergies can develop at any time. You might want to wear gloves for now when you pick up the hay and see how it goes.

Thanks, I think that's probably a good idea! I'm sure it's just a coincidence but go figure that this would happen on the brand of hay that she doesn't usually get...frig :/