Hamster allergy

Allergic reaction to allergens of the hamster (golden hamster, short-tailed dwarf hamster, Djungarian dwarf hamster, Roborowski's dwarf hamster) which are detectable in the saliva and hair of the hamster.

A hamster allergy is certainly of clinical relevance. There is some work in this field. More often affected are children who care for hamsters as pets. The hamster allergy is usually triggered by the animal's skin and hair.

As with other animal hair allergies, hamster allergy causes urticarial rashes, rhinitis and allergic reactions of the respiratory tract. The symptoms of hamster allergy are similar to those of other animal hair allergies.

Allergens:

Djungarian dwarf hamster Pho s 21 kDa lipocalin (salivary gland of the hamster, sensitization rate 100%).

Since no cross-reactions to the golden or field hamster could be proven, the allergen of the Djungarian Dwarf Hamster seems to be different from that of the other species. This is of clinical importance as the skin test solutions are based on golden hamster or field hamster.