alright, i have searched everywhere and can only find the statement " urticating hairs can cause a reaction to the skin eyes or nose" what exactly is the reaction other than itching. are my eyes going to explode or fall out. (j/k) seriously i would like to know just for information purposes.:?
reaction to hairs
- Thread starter mdfic
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2003
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- 809
well
have a here at the website of Rick West and you'll see what happends to your eye and other soft tissue in your body
http://www.birdspiders.com/archive/1/0087.htm
any ways have a nice day
geo
have a here at the website of Rick West and you'll see what happends to your eye and other soft tissue in your body
http://www.birdspiders.com/archive/1/0087.htm
any ways have a nice day
geo
that was quite gross and looked very bothersome. what i meant was are the reactions temporary (1-2 days) or permanent. is the danger of blindness slight or high as with some species of caterpillars? i am just trying to educate myself more about these magnificent little critters and this site seems to have the best info that i have been able to come across. i dont plan on handling my guys alot only when necessary i just want to give them the best care possible and keep myself safe and happy to enjoy them. BTW that picture really grossed my wife out, it was kind of amusing.
- Joined
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*most* hair reactions are temporary, and not terribly severe. Some species bother certain people more than others...don't know why. I, for one, can't handle B smithi without getting a rash.
Other brachypelmas don't do that to me...so who knows?!
Some people can't handle their Ts at all without breaking out into a rash, some aren't bothered. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to be around one first!
Welcome to the boards!
Holley
Other brachypelmas don't do that to me...so who knows?!
Some people can't handle their Ts at all without breaking out into a rash, some aren't bothered. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to be around one first!
Welcome to the boards!
Holley
- Joined
- May 17, 2003
- Messages
- 347
This is what I've experienced myself:
I've had noticeable skin reactions to Theraphosa blondi as a result of handling them or handling their substrate. This consisted mostly of itching between my fingers and lasted for the most part for about a week. If my hands were in warm water though, the effect lingered... in the shower or at the sink I had symptoms for at least two weeks.
I haven't reacted to any of my other tarantulas, including a few species or genera that are commonly said to be worse than others, such as Brachypelma boehmei and Nhandu spp.
The only nasal reaction I've had was with Theraphosa blondi, too, once while packing one for shipping and once with a young male that's been trying to set records for crazy behavior. My nostrils itched IMMEDIATELY, although it went away more quickly than my skin reaction. I had a sore throat for a few days too.
My understanding is that sensitivity to urticating hairs can increase or decrease over time, so one's reaction at first might not be indicative of one's eventual sensitivity.
In any case, don't let my horror stories stop you. I've had about 80 tarantulas to date and have only had reactions to a few. Even then, it was worth it.
Steve
I've had noticeable skin reactions to Theraphosa blondi as a result of handling them or handling their substrate. This consisted mostly of itching between my fingers and lasted for the most part for about a week. If my hands were in warm water though, the effect lingered... in the shower or at the sink I had symptoms for at least two weeks.
I haven't reacted to any of my other tarantulas, including a few species or genera that are commonly said to be worse than others, such as Brachypelma boehmei and Nhandu spp.
The only nasal reaction I've had was with Theraphosa blondi, too, once while packing one for shipping and once with a young male that's been trying to set records for crazy behavior. My nostrils itched IMMEDIATELY, although it went away more quickly than my skin reaction. I had a sore throat for a few days too.
My understanding is that sensitivity to urticating hairs can increase or decrease over time, so one's reaction at first might not be indicative of one's eventual sensitivity.
In any case, don't let my horror stories stop you. I've had about 80 tarantulas to date and have only had reactions to a few. Even then, it was worth it.
Steve
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2002
- Messages
- 1,031
I keep mainly brachypelmas, grammostolas, and aphonopelmas, all which have urticating hairs. I prefer to be proactive and I try not to get any urticating hairs airborne or on me. I do this by running a HEPA air filter on the high setting, this filter is on the desk where I do all tarantula enclosure chores. if any hairs are kicked or stirred up I can actually see the hairs get sucked into the filter. Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. carry them.
Ed
Ed