Should I get feeder roaches? I have a mild allergy to them.

[Indiana Herps and Inverts]

I down sized my collection 6 months ago do to personal issues, but also because I had developed a mild allergy to roach poop I think. Anyway I'm through the issues now and am sick of keeping crickets as they stink, are too small for my scorpion who takes forever to get to eat, and my vinegaroon doesn't seem to like the crickets or super worms either for that matter. I've looked around on here some for similar questions to mine and found that some people mentioned hissers being worse for allergies. (I previously had hissers, death's heads, chromes, and dubias.) So I was wandering if it's worth it to get just dubias again? My allergy isn't terrible, I just get extremely mucousy and that was mostly with the hissers now that I look back on it. However I'm worried about it potentially getting worse as I have a friend who's eyes swell shut if he doesn't wear a mask and goggles with his dubias.

 

[HeartBum]

I down sized my collection 6 months ago do to personal issues, but also because I had developed a mild allergy to roach poop I think. Anyway I'm through the issues now and am sick of keeping crickets as they stink, are too small for my scorpion who takes forever to get to eat, and my vinegaroon doesn't seem to like the crickets or super worms either for that matter. I've looked around on here some for similar questions to mine and found that some people mentioned hissers being worse for allergies. (I previously had hissers, death's heads, chromes, and dubias.) So I was wandering if it's worth it to get just dubias again? My allergy isn't terrible, I just get extremely mucousy and that was mostly with the hissers now that I look back on it. However I'm worried about it potentially getting worse as I have a friend who's eyes swell shut if he doesn't wear a mask and goggles with his dubias.

Hmm allergies do tend to get worse with increased exposure.. However, Dubia frass shouldn't really be an issue when not working inside the enclosure (in which case mask and gloves is probably recommended). Did you clean them out? I know they take a while to get to the gross stage and they breed better with frass for the nymphs, but it may have to be the way of caring for them going forward. However, perhaps you should try the Dubia again and see how it goes, as it may have just been the hissers as you mentioned. They are notoriously bad for triggering allergy symptoms in those prone to attacks.

I have MANY allergies, yet, surprisingly, the Dubia have zero effect on me personally. Just... Keep them away from your friend

 

[Indiana Herps and Inverts]

Thanks for the advice, I might give them a try again then. I'll have keep the poop cleaned out more this time as I only ever did that like once before so it was pretty built up.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Hmm allergies do tend to get worse with increased exposure.. However, Dubia frass shouldn't really be an issue when not working inside the enclosure (in which case mask and gloves is probably recommended). Did you clean them out? I know they take a while to get to the gross stage and they breed better with frass for the nymphs, but it may have to be the way of caring for them going forward. However, perhaps you should try the Dubia again and see how it goes, as it may have just been the hissers as you mentioned. They are notoriously bad for triggering allergy symptoms in those prone to attacks.

I have MANY allergies, yet, surprisingly, the Dubia have zero effect on me personally. Just... Keep them away from your friend

I thought you could build up tolerance with exposure?

 

[HeartBum]

I thought you could build up tolerance with exposure?

Eh I think it depends on the source of the allergy. For example, I've become allergic to a lot of things as I've aged. I wasn't born with a nut allergy, but I had my first reaction when I was 17. I can also no longer eat certain fruits; my first (and only so far) true anaphylactic shock was due to eating a nectarine. Fortunately my throat didn't close, but I was in and out of consciousness on the bathroom floor at God knows what time in the morning, covered in hives and turning blue. Pretty horrific. I have epi-pens now.

To be honest though, I think immunity would have to be built up extremely slowly and in very small quantities. Even then, there's no guarantee anything would change unfortunately. Immune systems are just too unpredictable.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Eh I think it depends on the source of the allergy. For example, I've become allergic to a lot of things as I've aged. I wasn't born with a nut allergy, but I had my first reaction when I was 17. I can also no longer eat certain fruits; my first (and only so far) true anaphylactic shock was due to eating a nectarine. Fortunately my throat didn't close, but I was in and out of consciousness on the bathroom floor at God knows what time in the morning, covered in hives and turning blue. Pretty horrific. I have epi-pens now.

To be honest though, I think immunity would have to be built up extremely slowly and in very small quantities. Even then, there's no guarantee anything would change unfortunately. Immune systems are just too unpredictable.

Just looked it up, apparently it can go both ways like you said. Some people lose their tolerance to something, and some people build theirs up. Bodies are weird things.

 

[HeartBum]

Just looked it up, apparently it can go both ways like you said. Some people lose their tolerance to something, and some people build theirs up. Bodies are weird things.

Would be a damn site easier if ours were as simple as a T's, that's for sure!

 

[viper69]

I’d think you’re better off asking a medical doctor than a random bunch of us from a forum. Crazy idea I know.

 

[The Snark]

Hmm allergies do tend to get worse with increased exposure..

I thought you could build up tolerance with exposure?

To be honest though, I think immunity would have to be built up extremely slowly and in very small quantities. Even then, there's no guarantee anything would change unfortunately. Immune systems are just too unpredictable.

Just looked it up, apparently it can go both ways like you said. Some people lose their tolerance to something, and some people build theirs up. Bodies are weird things.

I’d think you’re better off asking a medical doctor than a random bunch of us from a forum. Crazy idea I know.

Nice thread progression.

I was schooled in allergies, mostly how to spot them and crisis intervention. Normally, if you have had MULTIPLE allergic reactions to a specific irritant, exposure will exacerbate it. The immune system response is in the crisis phase, past the phase where repetitive exposure will aid in developing resistances. The snowball effect.

As @viper69 suggested, you should speak with an immunologist. If prone to allergic reactions they will run the tests and provide you with a chart or list of watch-fors and potential triggers..


I found this. Kind of cute in that a brainiac physician is trying to dumb down and make comprehensible a very complex subject.
Crisis phase, anaphylaxis. The immune system keeps a record of every response it has, essentially, put on guard duty to deal with. These records are very precise and specific but at the same time specious. Like an automaton, the immune system will follow the instructions it has recorded exactly and precisely. The crisis comes in if the determination of a condition is incorrect. The immune system will not alter it's response since it is operating from an established method or procedure in it's instruction manual. It will continue to attack the problem, even if it is wrong. Worse, it will enlist the aid of other systems in the body. This can divert the bodily resources away from doing their proper duties.

Classical example is the dengue virus. Four different versions. Once a person has contracted dengue the body will always grab the operating instruction manual and try to deal with the virus the same way. If the virus contracted is the same one it will get quickly dealt with. If it isn't, is one of the other three, the condition is made worse asl therapeutic functions of the body.have been sent on a wild goose chase.

Boiled down, if a person has had more than one episode of an allergic reaction to a certain substance, the immune system is almost impossible to retrain.

 

[HeartBum]

We have some really smart cookies on this board. I’m often amazed as to how educated a lot of people seem to be. Thanks for the info @The Snark !

 

[DustyD]

I’d think you’re better off asking a medical doctor than a random bunch of us from a forum. Crazy idea I know.

Bah, modern medicine is overrated and all about taking whatever big Pharma is pushing at the moment. There was a time when we relied on the wisdom of our communities and particularly our elders. It was a time of shamen, witch doctors and wonders.

Indiana Heros and Inverts: Don't listen to Viper69. You were wise to come to us for advice.

It is clear to me what causes your ailments: evil spirits.

If you really want to rid yourself of these afflictions for good, follow this prescription handed down centuries by the truly learned.

Find a place where a lot of people have gathered and strip down to your birthday suit. Then start making barnyard animal noises, such as a chicken or a cow, as you wind your way through the crowd.

This will confuse the evil spirits into thinking you are are not human. I mean have you ever seen a chicken with allergies?

After this you will not have to worry about allergies.

 

[viper69]

Don’t forget to wear your aluminum hats

 

[The Snark]

Don’t forget to wear your aluminum hats

Or.... https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opini...n-shaman-looked-ridiculous-design-ncna1254010

 

[Indiana Herps and Inverts]

Bah, modern medicine is overrated and all about taking whatever big Pharma is pushing at the moment. There was a time when we relied on the wisdom of our communities and particularly our elders. It was a time of shamen, witch doctors and wonders.

Indiana Heros and Inverts: Don't listen to Viper69. You were wise to come to us for advice.

It is clear to me what causes your ailments: evil spirits.

If you really want to rid yourself of these afflictions for good, follow this prescription handed down centuries by the truly learned.

Find a place where a lot of people have gathered and strip down to your birthday suit. Then start making barnyard animal noises, such as a chicken or a cow, as you wind your way through the crowd.

This will confuse the evil spirits into thinking you are are not human. I mean have you ever seen a chicken with allergies?

After this you will not have to worry about allergies.

Unfortunatly I've watched my mom's chickens sneeze lol.

 

[Indiana Herps and Inverts]

I would, but that's annoying to setup, but what I've managed to gather from all the answers is it's probably not worth it. I've decided to just go with grass hoppers as while I doubt having roaches will cause much if I wear a mask and gloves when working with them, my anxiety over it will probably make me have a heart attack lol. Hopefully my critters will like the hoppers, my vinegaroon has been stubborn about eating ever since I stopped giving her roaches 6 months ago.

 

[Indiana Herps and Inverts]

Also thanks so much for all the advice everyone!

 

[JonnyTorch]

Don’t forget to wear your aluminum hats

 

[viper69]

View attachment 413308

so many good things for this image on this site for it to be used!