I did it I did it I did it.. *faints*

[ReneeB]

Well after owning Ts for over a year, I've finally gotten the nerve to hold one of my rosehairs. (I'm severly allergic to bees and the sort so I was paranoid to hold one)

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/175reneerosehair1.jpg
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/175reneerosehair2.jpg
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/175reneerosehair3.jpg

[Aaron_S]

Cool stuff Renee. Congrats on getting over the fear of holding one.

[urd]

well done! :) took me ages to get the guts to pick one up, and im definately not allergic so great job!

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Congratulations, I'm glad you are over your fear but please don't put yourself in a dangerous situation. I'm sure no one here would like you to get bitten by any species.

Aidan

[Cruciform]

Is there a test that can be done to determine if a person is allergic to spider venom? Or is it rare enough that they just treat you after the fact?

[ReneeB]

I have no idea about tests.. I just went with the assumtion it's close enough to bee stings and the like that I didn't want to chance it..

[skinheaddave]

I read a paper many years ago and I believe there was some degree of x-reactivity between bee and spider venoms -- but it WAS a long time ago and people with even a fundemental understanding of immunology will know that what I have just said is not a particularily meaningful statement.

Anyhow, congrats on handling your T. Even if you never do it again, you will have undoubtedly learned from the experience.

Cheers,
Dave

[anacondaman]

ive kept t's for a long time....and i still do everything possible not to touch them...they still creep me out......i still hold them...just would rather not:)

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Heh, I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't get a pet unless I was 100% comfortable with it. It is cool though that you guys are trying to get over your phobias and such. Very admirable.

Aidan

[Pixie]

Chances are, you may not be allergic to T venom. In one of the older T groups I used to participate in, one member was severely allergic to bees and wasps but apparently not of T's venom. I can't remember if he had been bitten just once or more, but he did say that he suffered nothing more than what others had reported.

Allergies often appear at the second exposure to a particular allergen so knowing how many times he was bitten would be an important factor.

Anyways, it's not like it could be tested really and I wouldn't suggest you find out by getting bitten!

Congrats on the experience, I know how exciting it is: I waited 2 years before handling my first T that I had!

Play safe! ;)

Pixie

[LPacker79]

Thus far, there's been no reports of anybody ever having an allergic reaction to T venom. Not to say it couldn't happen, just that it hasn't been documented yet. As for other spider venoms, I'm not sure.

[Andrew vV]

Yeah......but I'd say that 99.9% of the people on the planet make a point of staying far enough away from tarantulas that it would be impossible to get bit LOL ;)

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

And therefore, 99.9% of the population is weird. :P

Aidan

[Cruciform]

We may be weird, but you spider lovers are freaks! :D

I've been thinking about getting a tarantula, but the girlfriend will *not* have it. But then again, she never thought she'd fall in love with snakes :)

I'd like to get over my creep-out factor. At least I'm not phobic though. A friend of mine walked into a room, not noticing the T cage by the door. When he went to leave he couldn't. If he sees a spider (any size) he completely freezes up. Even mentioning spiders makes him uncomfortable.

[Linds]

LOL I could've sworn you held one of them that you bought at one of the shows? Either way congrats on getting this far :D Is this going to become a more regular thing now?

Originally posted by Cruciform
If he sees a spider (any size) he completely freezes up. Even mentioning spiders makes him uncomfortable.

Hahaha that used to be me years ago. Totally immobilized with fear. Funny how such a little harmless critter can have that effect on us :p

[ReneeB]

Originally posted by Linds
LOL I could've sworn you held one of them that you bought at one of the shows? Either way congrats on getting this far :D Is this going to become a more regular thing now?

It was in a deli cup.. :) nice safe plastic btwn them and me.. I'm not sure if it is gonna be a more regular thing or not.. I know I'm going to hold her once more because I want my guy to take better pics of her and I with his better digi cam.

[misslexy]

i'm new to ssnakess, but i know about tarantulas and, i have quite a few.
i try not to hold them often but sometimes it is good to hold them,you want to make sute that they are alright in temperment just in case something comes up and you are in a situation where you have to.
the only one i dont ever hold is my pink toe, and it is not because of temper, it because he is fast.
but generally speaking rose hairs are a good type to hold, although i dont recomend it if you are allergic to bee stings.

from Becky

[Andrew vV]

Originally posted by misslexy

but generally speaking rose hairs are a good type to hold, although i dont recomend it if you are allergic to bee stings.

from Becky

There are some books(not very good ones) that describe the effects of "some" tarantula bites as similar to that of a bee sting, however, it would be inaccurate to presume that someone with an allergy to bee stings would have an allergic reaction to a "tarantula" bite........ or even any other spider for that matter.