Deadly mealworms

[preacherman]

I've been feeding mealworms exclusively for the past few years, but for some reason I've developed severe allergies to them over the past 6 months. My reaction to them has gotten steadily worse, to the point that I've even coughed up blood on more than one occassion. I'm just wondering if anyone else suffers from the same problem, and if so, if you've found anything that helps relieve the symptoms?

 

[acpart]

I find myself a little bothered in the nose area when I sift the mealworms or deal with the shed skins. It hasn't bothered me impossibly yet. If you're not getting a reaction to mealworms touching your skin, I would imagine it's more of an issue with the droppings and other small particles in the air. I think someone else a few years ago mentioned the same problem. Do you think it would be any better if you used a mask while you were dealing with them?

Aliza

 

[lytlesnake]

Whoa, I'm worried about you bro. Are you 100% sure it's the mealworms, or could it be the medium that they're kept in? I buy wheat bran and corn grits in bulk at the health food store and keep my superworms/mealworms in 6qt tubs. When I put carrots or potatoes in there to moisten the worms, the mix gets acidic. Then when I remove the veggies the mix dries out. When it's dry and I'm fishing for worms at feeding time, I find that the fine dust stings my eyes and it does give me a dry hack from breathing it. So I try to moisten the mixture before feeding time.

I mention this because what could be bothering you is the acidic dust combo of bran and worm waste. Just a thought. It seems really weird to be allergic to the worm itself, but if that's the case you should try superworms maybe.

 

[trizzypballr]

Also sounds to me like it is quite possible it could be the bedding your keeping your mealies in. Have you switched bedding, or even meal worm suppliers lately?

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Honestly, I would see a doctor about that. You might have developed an allergy to some kinds of wheat. I think your WAY better safe than sorry. This is really serious.

 

[malt_geckos]

OMG! We hope you're ok! You may have an allergy to the bedding as everyone else has said. Or, you could be allergic to the mealworm itself, just like people are allergic to other animals. However, with cats, when people say they are allergic tocat hair, they are actually allergic to the cat spit. The spit dries and it turns into dust that bothers some people. lol. Just a strange piece of info for you...maybe it's the same sort of thing with the mealies?

 

[gko reptiles]

Man, Im sorry Jason. To tell you the truth i have severe sneezing attacks when I feed. Dont know if it is the mealworm sheds or the calcium but I try to feed in less than 2 hours so i dont have to sneeze every minute. Hope it turns out ok.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I have encountered at least two people that have had this issue. They have both tried to were a dust mask when dealing with mealies but it was little relief. If I remember correctly, they were both affected by the waste that the mealies left behind. Sadly they are both out of the hobby. I hope that you can find a way to cope.

I would suggest trying some benadryl or similar product prior to working with them.

 

[preacherman]

Thanks for the info and concern, everyone. I'm not sure that it's a problem with the worms themselves, either. I've tried switching bedding several times, and that doesn't seem to help. I went to urgent care a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor said it was just a sinus infection. She put me on antibiotics, but those didn't help at all. I've also tried Claritin and nasal spray, but those don't seem to help, either. I'm going to make an appointment with an allergist this week. I hope they'll be able to shed some light on what's going on. In the meantime, I think I'll just feed all the leos pizza and icecream

 

[paulnj]

Jason, I switched suppliers recently and I start to sneeze when I recieve my shipments now. I am thinking it's the bedding or as jeremy suggested the waste they leave behind. I don't get a reaction when feeding, but do when sifting or shaking 10k from newspaper.

I sure hope you figure this out, and soon !

 

[Okee Reps]

I find myself sneezing sometimes while feeding. I never really attributed it to the mealworms I just thought I was getting a cold or something. It was never to the severity of your reactions however. I hope you figure out what it causing the reactions and how to prevent it. Maybe you'll end up helping others as well.

 

[Ghetto Gecko]

its those

damn skins. They were killing me. Eyes watering up and all. I have no advice as to what can be done about it though. Best of luck. Mike

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I feel your pain! It is NOT the bedding you are allergic to, that I can almost be sure of. I wear a mask when putting up my mealworms because my allergies to them (ektoskeleton) are so bad. If I mistakenly touch my eye after handling mealworms right out of the bag, no bedding, my eyes will swell up and itch beyond relief.

My advise is to do all your mealworm work outside and wear vinyl gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly after feeding the geckos. Don't touch your eyes!!!

 

[paulnj]

Thanks Marcia for the input. Outside it'll be for me unless weather doesn't permit

 

[lytlesnake]

I've been thinking about eye protection myself, and recommend it to others as well. The dust is what bothers me. Luckily I haven't become allergic to the casings yet, but so far I've been feeding more superworms than mealies.

 

[TWC]

i would try waxworms or something different than mealies, and see if it is the wheat or the worms. i would also wear gloves when treating them. i hope it gets better for you.

 

[GeckoRing]

Hey Jason, I hear icecream superior in every way! Lots of calcium. Let us know what you find out. I find that I sneeze a lot. Sounds like others may benefit from your suffering....Hope it quickly and painlessly resolved!

 

[David Loftin]

I have the same issue [minus the coughing up blood part] .. Benadryl has really helped me a lot.

 

[GroovyGeckos.com]

Jason, I suffer from allergies, and the mealworms do bother me too. They did not bother me as much 2 years ago though. Never any blood, that does not sound too good.

I find that, for me it seems to be the waste, and not the bedding, because I am not bothered that much, when they have enough bedding, and there is not alot of frass(waste). When it comes time, to change the bedding, and there is alot of frass, in the container, it is at it`s worse.

I try to keep the bins clean of worm droppings, and full of wheat bran, as much as possible and it helps. The hard part is sifting all of it out, and not getting that stuff everywhere. I use an air-filter to catch some of it. When I have a new place, I plan to build a contained area with air filtration, to keep all of the worms, and their nasty dust in.

A paper dustmask will help a little bit, but if it is a real big problem for you, I would switch to an actual half-mask respirator, with H.E.P.A. filters that will remove 99.9% of all particulates, down to like 0.3 microns. You can get a REAL respirator (the paper ones are called respirators) at most hardware stores.

 

[preacherman]

Thanks for all the iput, everyone. And thanks for the advice, Dan. I'll have to look into getting one of those respirators.