Health problem... Need help!

[Dora]

Hey, everyone. I'm a very "fresh" groomer (I've been grooming for a month now) and for the last 5 days I've been feeling itchy, specially the skin on my arms: they become itchy with tiny red spots that eventually fade after 24h. It happens everytime I trim short coated dogs (like pugs) very short (blade 7 or 10), but doesn't seem to happen with long coated dogs like Yorkies or Schanuzers. Could this be an allergy? I own a dog (Yorkshire) and I've always been around dogs without having any skin reaction. It only happens during and after trimming a short coated dog. I'm already scared of trimming these dogs (that shouldn't even be trimmed at all... but the owners don't want to have their homes filled with dog fur everywhere...).

[Brit]

Not sure, but I would try a layer of moisturizer on exposed areas, something for sensitive skin. See if that barrier stops the irritation.

[Emma123]

Can you try wearing a long-sleeved shirt or grooming smock to see if that helps?
Do you use any different products on short-haired dogs vs. long-haired?

[Dora]

The shirt I'm wearing is part of an official groomer uniform and the sleeves reach my elbows. Maybe long sleeves could help, but would also get in the way, I think... The products are all the same, so that can't be the problem. I'm wondering if it is the different type of fur/hair... I get many Shih Tzus, Poodles, Yorkies and Schnauzers and my skin doesn't react to the hair being cut. But if it's a Pug or any other short-haired dog, I feel like I've hugged a bunch of stinging nettles!

[HoneyandChewiespal]

Sounds like your getting a reaction to the prickly hairs from the short coated dogs. Are you pre cutting them ? That's when I find a similar irritation. Shaving after the bath helps, as does putting on some cream or sleeves

[KarlaSnyder]

What Honey said. You can get bather sleeves, and just put them on when you're clipping. May help, too, if you rinse off your arms right away after.

[HoneyandChewiespal]

Oh yes! What Karla added about finding off. That makes a big difference.

[daesue]

I have a similar reaction.. but it's usually when the dog is wet lol. Now... when I'm scissoring a Shih.. it's constant constant sneezing!!! Along with the other suggestions I might put some baby powder on my arms. So.. lots of good suggestions.

[Naturally Furry]

I get itchy irritation from shaving short coated breeds myself. I agree with all of the above. Longer sleeves and cremes like Skin Works will help. I will add though that there is a cure. Stop shaving short coated breeds. I know there are people out there that you just can not talk out of it and if that is what they want, that is what they want. But if they are doing this because they think it will keep them cooler or reduce shedding, I always explain that it is quite the contrary and there are better options like a deshed treatment than shaving your pet.

[andromedaslove]

I have the same thing happen. Only difference is that it's not when I'm shaving short coated dogs, but when they love on me. Pugs, boxers, and American Bulldogs are the WORST! I've come to the conclusion that I'm just allergic to them. If I have on on my books I just pop a benedryl on my way to their house and that usually helps.


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[DogGamut]

Are you using a plum shampoo?

[rosyone]

Start saving up for a clipper vac.

[kozak11288]

I have the same issue. Only thing I've found that helps is just washing my arms afterwards and taking a good shower when I get home. As long as the hairs don't get stuck in my skin. I have to keep tweezers in my drawer now to pluck them out.

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[katscleancutdogs]

My first six months I used groomer sleeves for my shaves and then I found that I needed to wear bather gloves because I was reacting to the bluing agent in the whitening shampoo and some the other shampoos that we used. It is very possible that it is something like hair splinters and as my grooming mentor told me it will take time for your arms to "toughen up." I still wear my sleeves for lab shave down and for cocker spaniels.


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[Jenni89]

I used to react like that too (pugs are the worst!). Gotta avoid grooming with dry skin, so moisturizing is a good idea, but don't do this right before you groom, or the little hairs stick to your lotion (learned this the hard way). Also avoid shaving wet or damp hair- also sticks to you bad. Now I just clean the hairs up as I go. I do wonder if those short stiff hairs have more spurs, so is acting like tiny pieces of barbed wire on the skin.