Are you allergic to Mice?

 I work as a plant manager and my job consist of many things. Almost all involve the use of my arms and hands. From running a loader, welding a chute, or troubleshooting a computer I need my arms and hands. My hobbies are much the same. From drawing a portrait to making a skin for some computer program, my hands are the art.  

At the ripe old age of fifty, I have lived past the warranty of life. From here,  I do believe things will go down hill. Last year I had skin cancer cut from both of my arms. This year my fingers are locking in place from arthritis.  Now I have become allergic to mice.
 Allergic to mice!  Yes, that is what I said. I have become allergic to the computer mouse. "Contact Dermatitis"

Marjolein Wintzen, Esther J. van Zuuren  Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center say,

 "The use of computers has increased vastly, occupationally as well as for private use, and in the last decade, a number of reports have been published in which skin problems are ascribed to the (intensive) use of computers. Not only irritant or mechanically induced contact dermatitis has been reported but also allergic contact dermatitis. As this appears to be a new group of occupational dermatoses."

So, what to do?

The doctor cured the problem for a short time with steroids. But that just created a bunch more problems. Believe me, steroids are bad.

A friend, when hearing that I was allergic to mice suggested that I get a cat.

At once I thought of contacting  "Po Smedley" http://posmedley.wincustomize.com/.  He being the Cat and Mouse expert. Then I remembered that I was also allergic to cats.

 I have tried about  6 different mice including the old "Ball Type".

Gloves are just not practical.

 My wife thinks maybe gluing leather to the mouse will help. Don't know yet. Still to be tried.

So, does anybody else have this problem?  Any Ideas on what to do?  

 The good news is I still have both of my arms and hands. They're just all cut up, deformed, and broke out in blisters.  ;)

23,301 views 35 replies
Reply #1 Top
Damn!

I can relate on the arthritis one. But being allergic to your mouse thats got to suck. ;p
Reply #2 Top
That really sucks. um...so is it the plastic that you're allergic to or the germs on the mouse? have you tried sterilizing it? If it's the plastic...try sliding a thin childs sock over the mouse(you'd need a hole on the bottom or something). It's worth a shot anyway.  :NOTSURE: 
Reply #3 Top
That probably would only work if your mouse was a lazer mouse...
Reply #4 Top
hat really sucks. um...so is it the plastic that you're allergic to or the germs on the mouse?
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Not germs I don't think. Tried a cloth glove to no avail.
Here a good one. I am left handed. When I skin or draw I use my right hand for the mouse and my left hand for my Wacom. Only the right hand breaks out. Weird. Been using a mouse for so long with my right hand it's the only way that lam comfortable with.
Reply #5 Top
Try wearing surgical gloves...as long as your not allergic to latex...you can get powdered ones so your hands won't sweat. ;)
Reply #6 Top
Try wearing surgical gloves...as long as your not allergic to latex...you can get powdered ones so your hands won't sweat.
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Thanks Webgizmo. Tried that. Did not work. (:(
Maybe it's mental. :NOTSURE:
Reply #7 Top
Before trying these things did you take a break from the mouse long enough to let it clear up?

It may be the keeping it covered up and not letting it breath and clear up first thats keeping it there even when trying the gloves.
Reply #8 Top
Before trying these things did you take a break from the mouse long enough to let it clear up?
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Yes. This has been going on for some time. The doctor has tried ointments creams and drugs. Like I said, steroids will clear it up but you have to stay on them. Not good. His advice is to stay away from computers. Not going to happen though because I load trucks with one all day long. I use keyboard shortcuts a lot. :D
Reply #9 Top
You allergic to spary paint? Paint your mouse, maybe?
Reply #10 Top
You allergic to spary paint? Paint your mouse, maybe?
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Ha Ha. That just might work. I will try it on an old one. :D
Reply #11 Top
Hmm I do recall something that replaced shell of mouse with a metal one.

If it comes down to that, you might want to try that?
Reply #13 Top
You allergic to spary paint?
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Aha!!!! ZUBISH!!!!! :LOL:

So, does anybody else have this problem?
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Yeah, unfortunately!!! Sadly, though, there is no cure, just careful management of the condition. Using soap alternatives helps contact dermatitis a lot, as does tea tree oil when it gets weepy, as it can do sometimes....however, do not overdo it because tea tree oil will dry out your skin too much with prolonged use on the same spot/place.

I became so ill with it once, spreading all the way up both arms, down my back and legs, even through my scalp, that I was hospitalised. Of course, the method of treatment was to pump me full of steroids, which I didn't like, so the moment I was well enough to get out of bed I was out of there... discharged myself and have been managing it myself ever since. It breaks out occasionally, but since using moisturising soap alternatives it has never gotten that bad/out of control.

Hope this is of some help to you. :)
Reply #14 Top
Aha!!!! ZUBISH!!!!!
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Oh no!!! It's contagious!!  :SURPRISED: 

Reply #15 Top
Oh no!!! It's contagious!!
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It hda bettre not be... I hvae an academic reputatoin to uphodl. ;p
Reply #16 Top
Thanks starkers. I did not no about the soap or the tea tree oil. Thanks for the info. :)
Reply #17 Top
My wife has finished gluing leather on one of my meces. Seems to help. :D Also feels real nice. Will report back after I use it for a few days. :D
Reply #18 Top
My wife has finished gluing leather on one of my meces
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Years ago I had problems with my elbow and a touch of carpal tunnel.....but not anymore.....

Try a trackball. I use a logitech trackman marble (cordless) and have for years. Can't function with a mouse anymore. Thing stays in one spot and if you put a pad on it, it shouldn't effect the function. It does take a couple weeks to transition into but you'll never go back.
Reply #19 Top
My wife has finished gluing leather on one of my meces. Seems to help. Also feels real nice. Will report back after I use it for a few days.
End of quote


Ooh, luxury mice...
Reply #20 Top
Thanks Lantec. Think I will try one. $23.00 is not to bad I guess. ;)

Anything but PurrBall. Leather mice are causing a few problems. My wife dressed four of them in leather. Now they all hang out together. First they got tattoo's and piercings, now they rumble around the desktop and cause trouble by throwing up on the mouse pads. :p
Ever grab hold of a leathered mouse with piercings? Now I am back to wearing gloves. :LOL:
Reply #21 Top
yeah, leather will do that to a mouse. You should see what happens when they get around cats. Taunts, insults, even giving them the mouse finger. And their parents wonder where they went wrong........
Reply #22 Top
They make condoms for keyboards, I wonder if they make them for mice as well?
Reply #23 Top

Try a trackball. I use a logitech trackman marble (cordless) and have for years.
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You know what is better for your joints?  A vertical mouse.  I have Rheumatoid arthritis in my hands and go to hand therapy.  The vert. mouse has been a lifesaver.  This is what I use: http://www.thehumansolution.com/evoluent.html

It's really weird that putting a barrier ie: glove) between you and the mouse doesn't keep the dermatitis away.  It seems like maybe it's prolonged exposure to anything that is causing it, not just the mouse.

Reply #24 Top
You know what is better for your joints? A vertical mouse.
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It looks rather large. Is it comfortable and did it take you long to get used to it?
Reply #25 Top
It seems like maybe it's prolonged exposure to anything that is causing it, not just the mouse.
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Maybe the heat? :NOTSURE: