John Gaver ([log in to unmask]) says:
> So I can safely say that there is no relationship between cat dander and
> ferret dander.  In fact, now that I think of it, I don't think that I have
> ever met _anyone_ who was alergic to ferrets.
 
I can think of two counterexamples,  my wife and me.  My wife is very allergic
to our two ferrets, Ben and Jerry.  We have a spare bed room where I let them
run loose for about an hour every night.  She can't go into that room for more
than about 5 minutes before she starts to wheeze and has to leave.  Because of
this the ferrets *can't* be allowed free run of the house.  For her to be able
to live with them their allergens have to be confined.
 
I on the other hand am mildly allergic to them.  I begin to feel it when there
are a large number of ferrets around, like at a ferret show.  And if one of
them scratches me the skin swells up a little (when one of them scratches my
wife the scratch swells up a lot).  However I can be with them and supervise
their "scurry" with no ill affect, even get down on the floor and play with
them.  They are keeping me company now as I dial in.
-- Bill Sebok
 
[Posted in FML issue 0493]