Allergies to Rodent Droppings

Rodent droppings cause allergic reactions in many people.

Rats and mice often infiltrate homes, bringing germs and diseases with them. Rodents can transmit over 200 germs in their saliva, urine and droppings, according to the Fairfax County Health Department of Virginia. The result for humans is a variety of diseases and other health conditions, including an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals that can be caused by several types of rodent substances.

Cause

Rodent urine contains a protein that causes an allergic reaction in some people, according to the Fairfax County Health Department of Virginia. It is also possible that rodent hair contains allergens. Furthermore, some infectious agents, including the Hantavirus, are spread by rodents and can mimic the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Such diseases may be fatal.

Symptoms

If you have an rodent infestation in your home and are allergic to the protein in their urine, you may notice several symptoms. These include, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, coughing, itching, skin rashes or respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing, according to the Federal Citizen Information Center of Pueblo, Colorado. If you or a family member suffers from asthma, rodent activity in the home could even trigger asthma attacks, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Frequency

It is not known exactly how common allergic reactions to rodents are in the general population. However, public health officials point to a dramatic rise in the number of children with asthma as a result of household conditions as proof that this is a real and serious concern. Those with a family history of allergies and hay fever may be more likely to react to rodent allergens, along with those suffering from asthma and other respiratory conditions. Long-term exposure also causes allergies to develop over time in certain people.

Prevention

The best prevention against rodent allergens to minimize rodent exposure through a comprehensive pest management program. This includes keeping the home clean and free of food and debris that may attract rodents, along with sealing any cracks or holes where rodents may enter the building. If there is already a substantial rodent population, trapping or baiting will be needed to reduce the population, according to the Fairfax County Health Department of Virginia.

Diagnosis

People suffering from an allergy to rodent urine do not always know the cause of their symptoms. Determine if your symptoms are caused by rodent allergens by looking for signs of rodent activity such as droppings, urine stains within the home and burrows, which look like holes in the ground, near the home outside.

References

• Fairfax County Health Department: How to Identify and Control Rats and Mice
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: News Release, March 19, 2007
• "Rodent Guidelines", Seattle Public Health, 2004
• UCSC: Hantavirus
• Federal Citizen Information Center: Help Yourself to a Healthy Home: Protect Your Children's Health

Resources

• Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health: Pest Allergens