How bad are T.Blondi hairs?

[nicholo85]

Reason I am asking is I've been entertaining the idea of getting a Blondi for a few weeks now. A few things that cause me to be hesitant are 1, known for having the worst urticating hairs and 2, it likes to hide most of the time and is rarely seen.

Though I am not too fond of its looks, I simply have this love affair with large terrestrials.

Would the itchiness of Blondi hairs compare to the likes of Lasiodora spp or A.genic?

 

[thedude]

I would say they're not too much worse than Lasiodora or acantho's. Mine really didn't kick to much and when it did i really didn't itch too bad. Aphonopelma are worse IMO.

Also, mine didn't hide very often. It had it's burrow thing but it came out a few times a week and sat in the open.

 

[CAK]

Reason I am asking is I've been entertaining the idea of getting a Blondi for a few weeks now. A few things that cause me to be hesitant are 1, known for having the worst urticating hairs and 2, it likes to hide most of the time and is rarely seen.

Though I am not too fond of its looks, I simply have this love affair with large terrestrials.

Would the itchiness of Blondi hairs compare to the likes of Lasiodora spp or A.genic?

Honestly, I think it is all relative to how the person reacts.... I learned the hard way and found out that dumping dry substrate into a garbage kicks up dust... in the dust is urticating hairs from just generally hanging out in the tank. I had hairs all over my lips, chin, neck, arms and even through my shirt on my belly... It was that WORST!!!!! I did what most people would do: You think - No T, no urticating hairs. Boy was I wrong. Now, I would never wish this sort of pain / itch / whatever you want to call this on ANYONE... Now, simple hairs.. My LP gets me the worst! I use gloves around her and now my Brachy's are starting to get me more and more as I think i'm getting more sensitive. Now, is that going to stop me... Not at all! But I don't typically handle my T's in the first place.

I don't have an answer for you, but if the urticating hairs are the only reason you wouldn't get a T, I think you probably wouldn't have any new world T's in your collection. But, as I gain experience with these critters and find other ways of handling and other tricks, it gets easier.

 

[nicholo85]

Well, all my T's are new world with the exception of my recently acquired P.Regalis. I was just under the impression that Blondi hairs are ESPECIALLY itchy compared to other new worlds.

 

[Moltar]

I think urtication sensitivity is really a "per user" setting. It isn't the hairs themselves that cause the reaction, it's the proteins on the hairs. You could almost look at it like another venom but for whatever reason it doesn't really fit the bill. One individual may be sensitive to T. blondi, another to L. parahybana. Yes, different species have different shaped barbs but, like I said, it isn't the barbs that actually irritate you the most.

Personally, Brachypelma's tear me up quite badly, so does Acanthroscurria but Lasiadora, Aphonopelma and Grammostola have virtually no effect whatsoever.

I have heard a lot of people say that blondi's are the worst. It may be tied to the fact that not only are more people sensitive to their hairs but they also kick a LOT of them, all the time for almost any reason.

 

[aracnophiliac]

OK I am sharing this with all of you so hopefully you all check back...at least all who own blondis...I am hihgly allergic to ther u hairs and get very very itchy when working with them to the point of small blisters...I went to my doctor and said hey doc I love this species what can I do..He gave me a gel cream to put on the affected area which works wonders it cools and takes the itch away complelely on contact.....I cant remember what its called but will check tonight and post tommorrow.....

 

[nicholo85]

any chance its cortisone?

 

[CAK]

OK I am sharing this with all of you so hopefully you all check back...at least all who own blondis...I am hihgly allergic to ther u hairs and get very very itchy when working with them to the point of small blisters...I went to my doctor and said hey doc I love this species what can I do..He gave me a gel cream to put on the affected area which works wonders it cools and takes the itch away complelely on contact.....I cant remember what its called but will check tonight and post tommorrow.....

Please do let us know! I use cortisol 10, but it kind of works, but not great! My next step if I get hit badly is to just take a potato peeler to my arm! :wall:

Ok, kidding on the potato peeler, but anyone that has been hit badly with a reaction knows what I'm talking about... Right Ethan?

 

[Moltar]

Yes I do. There are a few different things I do when I know i've ben hit. Wide masking tape (or even duct tape) applied to the affected area then removed can help. Obviously, washing up like a surgeon afterwards can help. I've also used benadryl (not sure if that helps or not but it doesn't make it worse, anyway) and cortisone cream and Caladryl...

More to the point I work on my kickers with long sleeves and (sometimes) gloves, especially so when I'm doing something major like changing or digging around in the substrate.

Edit: Also when the itch is unbearable, running hot water over it feels goooooood. Too good, don't scald yourself!

 

[Terry D]

nicholo85,

I can't say for T blondi but Theraphosa sp. has little to no effect on me. A. geniculata and B boehmei slightly. No noticed effects from N tripepii (only faintly). G pulchra, or B emilia. Effect of A. hentzi hairs used to be slightly noticeable.

So far ,

Terry

 

[nicholo85]

Caladryl actually helps A LOT for me. Instant relief and soothing effect. Lasts for a few hours. It's funny because the affected area only itches at certain times of the day. Hmmm.

But to get back on topic...more info on T.Blondi hairs please.

I suppose if I do decide to get one and cant stand it, I could always sell it later on.

 

[x Mr Awesome x]

... the affected area only itches at certain times of the day. Hmmm.

I've noticed this too. When I'm dealing with being haired t's especially prevalent close to bed time and it's the first thing I notice when I wake up. Must have something to do with the chemicals the body releases during rest periods.

 

[CAK]

I've noticed this too. When I'm dealing with being haired t's especially prevalent close to bed time and it's the first thing I notice when I wake up. Must have something to do with the chemicals the body releases during rest periods.

Interesting! Another thing I should pay attention to...

I do notice that if I am able to tolerate the itch just a bit and not scratch ONCE.... the itch isn't too bad, but the moment I scratch just one little iota... ITS OVER!!!!! Dig out the tools because fingernails alone aren't strong enough to fix the itch!

 

[brian abrams]

Blondi Hairs

Interesting thread. Therasopha is the ONLY NW species I swore I would never get (primarily because of the reputed hairs, instead of the size, temperament, & humidity requirements. I thought I was much more likely to get even an OW species (except perhaps something like Stromapelma, or an aggressive burrowing species) first.

 

[dizzychef]

Edit: Also when the itch is unbearable, running hot water over it feels goooooood. Too good, don't scald yourself!

Lol, surprisingly tt does feel really good.... I do it all the time.

Its not as bad for me, like numerous mosquito bites. i got it all over my hands, pretty itchy but bearable.

 

[BrynWilliams]

I've just been working with moults of my N chromatus, G rosea and L parahybana and i've come up in what looks like loads of little mosquito bites but really small.

Hot water does make it feel so much better, I definitely agree on that one

 

[advan]

i'm itching right now just reading this thread

 

[jims72]

I would have to agree it depends on the person. I own most of the T's mentioned here including T.blondi L.parahybana B.smithi A.gen and A.schmiti. I am haired two or three times a week and never feel even the slightest of itch. Granted i do protect my face but my hands and arms are fair game and usually are less then a few inches away from the spider when thing get hairy.