Allergic to Deer

[TonTo]

As I sit here with one pink eye I'm just curious if any one has my same problem or has heard of anything like it.It seems I have developed an alergic reaction to deer.It all started back in '95 and I had never had a problem with it before.In '95 I helped my brother pack out a buck he had shot deep in a hike in area,it was a warm fall and the deer still had plenty of ticks,opening morn of elk about a week later I noticed what I thought was a pimple on my back and had my brother take a look at it while we were heading out of the house to go hunting.He said it was a tick and before I could advise him on removing it he just jerked it out leaving the head burried in me,it eventually worked its way out,no harm so I thought.Later that year I had an infection develop in my leg,unrelated to the tick,but while in the hospital had them check for lime desease,negative whew what a relief.But ever since everytime I come in contact with a deer I have a reaction.Today I went out with my dad and he filled a doe tag he had,I always end up doing the dirty work for him,and as soon as I started feild dressing my hands and forearms began breaking out with a itchy,lumpy rash.Then while skinning my eyes always turn red and puffy and itch like mad.A hot shower when all the work is done useually takes care of it,and since I am not affected by the flesh and still enjoy a good venison meal I will continue to suffer.I don't have a reaction to elk only deer and was just wondering if anyone else has heard of this and if there is anything I could do about it.

[pdxkevin]

When you have an alergic reaction to other mammals it is generally from their dander. This would explain being alergic to the hide and not the meat. I don't see why it isn't possible to be alergic to deer dander. What a bummer though.

[Bounty Hunter]

I'm alergic to deer (and dogs and horses), but my alergy is definately to the dander. I don't have the skin reaction, but I get the puffy eyes and nasal reaction. It makes for uncomfortable field dressing and packing, but like you say a shower will cure all. I also have found that a wet bandana over my mouth and nose will help a little as I breath less of the hair and dander.

It's a tough draw, but like you say, the venison is worth it...

[Salmo]

Tonto,
I break out terribly when dressing elk and deer. I typically have soap nad water back in the truck to wash my skin. The reaction lasts for a half hour or so then subsides. I would say its dander related. Try using the elbow length plastic gloves. If it bothers you. I get the same reaction from cats, dogs, and horses. I've found that the more exposure (over time)to the allergans the less severe the break out. I wish I was exposed to deer hair dander more often. :grin: Still waiting on my first blacktail!
Salmo

[dimwit]

I have family members with similar allergies. An antihistamine taken 1/2 hour before coming in contact with the cause dramatically reduces the effect. Benadryl seems to be the most effective.

[Rauly]

Geez Tonto. You need to look at the bright side of this. You can walk down a game trail and when your eyes swell, you know deer have been in the area recently. I'll call you next deer season and have you deerdog the trail for me.

Rauly

[Wreckless]

This doesn't look like it's going to be a problem for me...I passed on a small forked horn earlier in the season and haven't SEEN a deer since!!! It's OK Halloween weekend has been VERY good to me in the past .

[TonTo]

Hey Rauly it is a problem when I walk a streem in summer atire my leggs break out because the deer have always been there before me.