My had is RED... anyone have this happen?

[Peanutbutter]

When I got my cockatiel a few weeks ago his nails were VERY sharp and scratched my hand a LOT. I have very soft skin & this is my first bird. Well, now my had is red... like a rash across the base of my thumb and across all 4 knuckles..

What is causing this? Could it be that birdie feet are covered in fecal matter and it got in the cuts.... and now I need amoxicillian or what?

Or do I have a skin sensative bird allergy turning my had red? My skin used to be young looking and soft... now its red, dry, and wrinkled. My hands have aged 10 years in 2 weeks.


We clipped his toes & got a safety pedi pumice perch - which I like a LOT and is so far easy to wash.

His nails havent scratched into me good since then... shouldnt this be getting better?

Its HARD to see in the pic... I had to turn the flash off & if I move even a tiny bit the pic blurs... and the colors are washed out-- its a MUCH DEEPER RED IRL.... but just to show u i'm serious...




Has ANYONE had this happen to them?

[guest1717171]

when chicken scratches me i get swollen icky areas where the skin breaks

but not with my other birds

i think its the dust...to me it seems just like how the dust will irritate my allergies

when you go to an allergy doctor and get tested to see what you're allergic to before you have a series of sensitivity shots they just prick the skin and a small sample of varying allergens is places under different parts of the skin
they then check it to see which ones cause a reaction

seems like the same principle with the claws breaking the skin

[OzzyBird81]

Do your hands itch or burn? I had this happen when I started working with small animals. It turned out I was allergic to their food and bedding. You may want to consult a dermatologist and possibly an allergist. Good Luck!


Pam

[Peanutbutter]

They are just red and dry.... I REALLY noticed it when I gave my kids a bath in hot water. Heat or physical activity make it flare. Maybe its just irritated... I dunno.

I have amoxacillian (spelling?).... anyone know if that would help if it is caused by dirty feet scratching me?

[OzzyBird81]

Have you been washing your hands more? I know that repeat hand washing can cause the exact thing you're describing. Are they starting to crack or just very sensitive? You might want to try some Cedifile or Lucerine cream. The irritation may just be coincidental if you're washing your hands more. I'd hold off on an antibiotic until you see a Dr.


Pam

[Peanutbutter]

i usually wash my hands a lot since i'm a sahm and i seem to either be cleaning something or cooking something all the time. LOL. I have been washing them a lot more often tho since getting our new friend and your right, that could be making the dryness worse.

What sucks is lotion burns the cuts. Aloe?

I'll try not to freak out about it unless it spreads. ;þ

[NCSUBird]

I used to get that when I had a cockatiel as well. I think it is just a matter of the claws irritating your skin - just friction and scratching. That's what my problem was, anyway. If I remember correctly, if you keep your skin from drying out (lotion) and keep the bird's nails nice and short - it should clear up. I haven't had a "fid" in years, though, so I may be forgetting something.

[kali]

it's part of having a bird... lol.

my cocky used to make me look like i cut myslef :)

[crystalusagi]

In the few weeks I've been visiting my baby parrot (before they clipped her toenails), I've acquired a bunch of criss-crossing scars on my hands and wrists that look like I'm into self-mutilation XD I'd forgotten how birds tend to grasp too strongly when they're surprised.

But yeah, it could be that something got into the cuts? Not necessarily the bird, though.

[hollyhawkz]

My hands, arms and shoulder always look like I've been in the blackberry bushes. I have had people ask that, or if I have cats. I laugh and say just birds with sharp little talons and beaks. LOL

So... Like Kali says... It's just part of having a bird.

Now, as far as the antibiotics go, it's not good to take them for something so minimal that will be reoccurring. You could try hydrogen peroxide instead to disinfect the scratches, or the disinfecting hand gels.