Mouse Allergy

[nukinfuts]

Dr. Steve,

No..there is not a mouse in my nose. Ha Ha.

We have a mouse problem at work and it's not uncommon because our building is right next to a large field and we tend to get some field mice but this winter we seem to have an infestation that the mouse police have yet to get under control. Every day I have to do mouse poop disposal from my desk and wipe everything down with clorox wipes. Here is my question...I know about the Haunta Virus because that seems to be all I find when I google about complications that come from mice droppings but are there any other problems that come from their little presents they like to leave? I doubt that I have the Haunta virus but there is definately something strange going on and since I am getting old and paranoid I can only link it back to the mouse poop/pee. I have had a sinus infection that has come and gone since Thanksgiving. I went so far as to buy a Netti Pot which did work great and I was fine for about 2 weeks, I wasn't in the office at all for 1 of those 2 weeks. I went back to work yesterday post holiday and last night I woke up feeling like my head was the size of a large beach ball and when I used my Netti pot it took a while for the water to even pass through one side. I took a Z-pack when this first started and then the week before Christmas I went back to my dr. and she gave me a different antibiotic. I don't think that sinus infections are contagious but it seems like everyone I work with has had some sort of crud since Mickey and his friends took over our office. I just wanted to see what your opinion is and I really don't want another antibiotic because it just seems futile at this point...I am hoping the Netti Pot and Mucinex D take care of my sinuses but if there is some ancient Dr. Steve secret you can share about getting this snot out of my head I would totally take it at this point.

Thanks!

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,

No..there is not a mouse in my nose. Ha Ha.

We have a mouse problem at work and it's not uncommon because our building is right next to a large field and we tend to get some field mice but this winter we seem to have an infestation that the mouse police have yet to get under control. Every day I have to do mouse poop disposal from my desk and wipe everything down with clorox wipes. Here is my question...I know about the Haunta Virus because that seems to be all I find when I google about complications that come from mice droppings but are there any other problems that come from their little presents they like to leave? I doubt that I have the Haunta virus but there is definately something strange going on and since I am getting old and paranoid I can only link it back to the mouse poop/pee. I have had a sinus infection that has come and gone since Thanksgiving. I went so far as to buy a Netti Pot which did work great and I was fine for about 2 weeks, I wasn't in the office at all for 1 of those 2 weeks. I went back to work yesterday post holiday and last night I woke up feeling like my head was the size of a large beach ball and when I used my Netti pot it took a while for the water to even pass through one side. I took a Z-pack when this first started and then the week before Christmas I went back to my dr. and she gave me a different antibiotic. I don't think that sinus infections are contagious but it seems like everyone I work with has had some sort of crud since Mickey and his friends took over our office. I just wanted to see what your opinion is and I really don't want another antibiotic because it just seems futile at this point...I am hoping the Netti Pot and Mucinex D take care of my sinuses but if there is some ancient Dr. Steve secret you can share about getting this snot out of my head I would totally take it at this point.

Thanks!



The answer to whether you can be allergic to mouse dander and pee is a rousing hell yes. As a matter of fact, it's been identified as a common source of distress in inner-city dwellers, especially children.

The only way to determine whether it's actually the MICE you're allergic to (and not, say, the black mold that's lurking in the airvents) is to go to an allergist and have an allergy test done. Basically they take purified allergens and scratch them into your back. If you make a "hive" (a red swelling) in the area of an allergen, you're considered "allergic". You can be desensitized to almost any allergen through a series of increasing exposures to the allergen (commonly known as "allergy shots".)

In the meantime, a HEPA allergy filter near where your desk may help. I like the neti pot idea, and your primary care doctor or allergist can give you some cortisone nasal spray to decrease the inflammation in your nose. I'm assuming you've already tried the non-drowsy over the counter allergy preparations (clartin, zyrtec, etc)?

Here's a link to an article about mouse allergies:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001212065721.htm


hope this helps!


your pal,



steve

[nukinfuts]

Awesome. Yes I have even tried prescription allegra-d. MucinexD seems to be the best otc for the congestion and I will probably see an allergist. I have never been allergy tested but then again aside from an occasional cold I have never had cause to think I had any allergies other than sneezing when I am somewhere dusty. Thanks for the info!!!