View Full Version : Eggs vrs snake eggs??
Terranaut
03-05-12, 06:53 PM
So my oldest son is very allergic to chicken eggs. It's as bad as a peanut allergy. We are breeding (we hope) this year and we are wondering if the proteins that are in chicken egg whites( albumins, mucoproteins, and globulins)also exist in snake eggs. He wants to be a big part of all this and wonders if he needs to protect himself the same as if they were chickens ?
Jenn_06
03-05-12, 06:59 PM
I would say make sure he wears gloves and wash his hands good.
Terranaut
03-05-12, 07:25 PM
Yup. Thats what we are doing even if these proteins are not there. Just good to know if they are.
jaleely
03-05-12, 10:31 PM
is there protien in the egg *shell*? does he break out or something when he touches eggs, or only if he eats them? I love eating eggs, but i can't have any of any kind or it gives me the worst most horrible stomach pain. And it IS the eggs. That's only if i eat them though. I haven't heard of anyone being allergic when they touch them! It's just a surprise *lol*
the eggs are very different, and i wouldnt assume theyre similar in histamine reaction wise.
How allergic is he? if hes only a hives/etc from it, just let him touch them and see what happens, if its anything worse, just wear gloves just in case.
ingesting something youre allergic to is WAY more of an exposure than even say, bathing in a whole bath of it, so i wouldn't worry too much about him if hes not allergic to touching eggs
Terranaut
03-06-12, 04:14 AM
Touch = bad rash. Injestion = call 911. His allergy is very severe. He carries a epi-pen at all times. We have no eggs in the house ever.
Touch = bad rash. Injestion = call 911. His allergy is very severe. He carries a epi-pen at all times. We have no eggs in the house ever.
ah one of those kinds. I'd just be "better safe then sorry" then, or figure out what exactly hes allergic to in the eggs and research if snakes have the same thing (possible)
Being allergic to eggs would suck! I eat about 8 a day :D
Terranaut
03-06-12, 10:22 AM
Its albumins and mucoproteins. I love eggs too :(
Snakefood
03-06-12, 10:46 AM
Yeah, I would just have him wear gloves and be careful. There's alot that he can do to help and be involved without touching the eggs at all!!
insignia100
03-06-12, 11:22 AM
Honestly, if its bad enough that you don't keep chicken eggs in the house you may want to reconsider letting him handle them.
How old is he?
Snakefood
03-06-12, 11:32 AM
insignia100- I see your signature says your a vet!!
so, wouldn't a reptile egg and a poultry egg be significantly different from each other?? Different protiens and such??
insignia100
03-06-12, 11:51 AM
No, not a vet, but a vet student (2 more years and I'll have the Dr. in front of my name).
However, I can say that while there are some differences in the types of proteins, there are also a lot of similarities. It would not surprise me, given that birds and reptiles are closer evolutionarily speaking than chickens and mammals, if there were enough similarities in the proteins found in chicken and snake eggs to be a concern. Obviously its not something I would want to risk...
eggs are eggs are eggs are eggs....
unknownclown
03-06-12, 11:59 AM
Wear the gloves just incase but honestly I don't really see a reason aside from placing them in an incubator why they would be touched at all..
Snakefood
03-06-12, 12:04 PM
No, not a vet, but a vet student (2 more years and I'll have the Dr. in front of my name).
However, I can say that while there are some differences in the types of proteins, there are also a lot of similarities. It would not surprise me, given that birds and reptiles are closer evolutionarily speaking than chickens and mammals, if there were enough similarities in the proteins found in chicken and snake eggs to be a concern. Obviously its not something I would want to risk...
Ok, that makes alot of sense, I did not take into account how close reptiles and birds are, speaking in an evolutionary sense.
Although, it's not like they are going to eat the snake eggs, and like I said before, there are alot of ways to help out without ever touching the eggs. My hubby helps me with my snakes all the time, and he has yet to touch an egg, I do that part!!
Terranaut
03-06-12, 07:01 PM
My concern is not touching the eggs but the hatchling snakes. They will be covered in egg goup but I wonder how much of the protein will be obsorbed by the snake during gestation. He eats chicken right. He can touch chicken just not the eggs. We will have him gloved when we deal with clutch post hatch. I wonder how much if any protein will be on the snakes and how long even after a wash until they safe for him tO handle gloveless?? Also
Would live born Boas have these proteins on them as well?
WingedWolf
03-07-12, 11:53 AM
I would say that a little dab of the egg goop on his arm, once the eggs hatch, should tell you for good whether or not he's allergic--if he gets a rash, he's allergic! It should be a reasonably safe test.
Wash the new hatchlings gently in warm water (I usually rinse mine off anyhow, just so stuff doesn't stick to them).
Keep things clean, and once they shed their egg skin, there should be no further issue.
Snakefood
03-13-12, 09:31 AM
ya, I was going to say the same, wait till the first shed before he handles them gloveless.
Terranaut
03-13-12, 11:33 AM
Yup thats the plan. Thanks all for the advice
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