I was wondering what these were because when I had hamsters and gerbils I never got these itchy little bumps on the back of my hand. Now I got some rats and they've been coming up after every time I've played with them. Only last night the bumps were on my right hand. Now they're gone and tonight after I held them they were on my left. I don't know what I can do to stop this or what it even is so I want your help.
2006-10-27 11:47:20 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
The bumps do go away after about an hour.
2006-10-27 12:00:03 · update #1
Do you have sensitive skin? Rat hair is significantly less soft than hamsters and gerbils and can cause temporary bumps on the skin. I used to have a tarantula and they actually shoot out their hair on their thorax when stressed, which causes the same irritations. It's nothing to worry about really. However, do be sure to check for parasites or other things as well if the bumps don't go away.
2006-10-27 11:55:14 · answer #1 · answered by linnaete 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its an allergic reaction. I get it from my boys as they are less fussy about their toilet habits than girls. The reaction is caused by ammonia in their wee. I use some antihistamine cream and it works really well, it gets rid of the itching very quickly. The name of the cream I use is Eurax and you can get if from any good chemist. I originally tried different tablets, but they never helped with the itching. Why we suddenly become allergic to rats I dont know, I used to be fine til my double rex got ill and it went from just him to every male rat. I still wouldnt be without them though, they are my babies.
2006-10-28 07:42:34 · answer #2 · answered by kiffie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They could have lice, fleas, or some other creepy crawly that is irritating your skin. Rats can also carry ringworm (it is a fungus like athlete's foot, not an actual worm) so watch out for that too. Just remember to wash your hands every time you handle them.
2006-10-27 11:51:47 · answer #3 · answered by CH 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if they are whitish looking sounds like hives, which is an alergic reaction on the skin. Best remedy for that is some soap and water along with allergie medication (claritin or benedryl).
2006-10-27 11:57:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hear you can get Ringworm from these animals (actually, one of my friends just got it from her skinny pig
2006-10-27 11:58:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's an allergic reation, there's something about the rats that are irritating your skin, try holding them with gloves or bathe them....wait can u bathe rats?
2006-10-27 11:50:14 · answer #6 · answered by graciegirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ever heard of the black plague ? Flea bites off the rat then U, Go by-by.
2006-10-27 11:51:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋