Common to be allergic to qp?/feather tether for qp

[Zanzi's Mom]

I have had birds since I was about 24 and never had a problem with allergies, even when I had multiple cockatiels in my home. I got Zanzi around labor day this year and have been absolutely plagued with a weird fuzzy feeling around my eyes and a kind of itchy throat that makes me cough and have to drink water frequently. I adore him, so he is here to stay but I was wondering if this is a common complaint/experience with this particular kind of bird?

I thought for awhile it might be a side effect of my bp meds that I began taking around that time so I cannot absolutely pin it on him...but what should I do outside of regularly bathing him?

Next:

I am thinking about getting a feather tether for him so I can take him outside. I was wondering about opinions for size, ease of putting it on and any opinions as to whether or not it is a good idea for qp's. Is there any possibility they could break out of the harness? I do clip his wings because I would be heartbroken if he flew away. I like to take him for rides in the car...he loves to "go bye bye" but I think it would be more pleasant for him if he could enjoy the view without cage bars in his face.
He does not like to lie on his back for more than a few seconds so any suggestions for quick and easy harnesses?

Thanks in advance!

[4HAND]

Allergies can develop latter in life,it happened to my husband.Do your meds list these symptoms as side effects?Can you take Benadryl with your meds?If you can and it works it may be allergies.Check with your Dr. first.If it is allergies get a HEPA filter. Also it helps to mist the cagepaper before you change it to reduce airborn dander.It helps to have a cage that has a significant drop between the grate and the pan so dander doesn't fly up every time your bird gets boisterous.Good luck!
Tena

[Zanzi's Mom]

Holy Moly! I just found out my (bp med) Lisinopril is made from Brazilian snake venom ! Yes, the cough is one common complaint of it but I cannot find anything about the fuzzy eye feeling symptom. Apparently, benadryl is one treatment for blood pressure med side effects too lol so I guess I will go get some today. Thanks for the advice!

[myrebalynn]

Is good if you're on other meds... safe for high blood pressure too. I take it because I take other meds that prevent me from taking the "real" Sudafed.

Claritin works for some. You have to give it a week to see if it works. Take it each day!

[Monica]

As for harnesses... if you get a flight harness, a petite/small would probably work. I've got the two smallest sizes, and if Charlie wasn't quite so big I'd only have one! But in truth he fits better into the larger size although he likes it less! Charlie is 230+ grams where-as quakers tend to be 100 grams, give or take a few tens!

However, it is from my understanding the aviator harness is best but I wouldn't know size so be best to ask them.

[Nestling]

I have a Quaker that I am not allergic to in the least. I got 4 Cockatiels 3 weeks ago and I feel like clawing my eyes out and my skin is all broke out. I have to take my asthma medicine every day. So, I guess to each his own. I have shown up positive on the allergy test for feathers but ignored it before. I take 150 mg of Benedryl every day and about a gallon of coffee to stay awake. But I regret that I will have to rehome my Tiels.