Smeggy Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 I've never been allergic to anything my whole life, been woodworking on and off for decades and now it seems I've become allergic to certain woods! I've been getting little tender bumps on my fingertips for a few weeks and now after a couple of days going at it my whole hands and parts of my arms are now filled with a rash that's both very sore and itches like a fucker. I don't know which wood(s) might be causing it but it's really depressing. I ordered some barrier cream, got some work gloves and am taking Zyrtec and rubbing cortizone cream to get the itching down. I don't know why it's only affecting my hands as there's dust and chippings everywhere when I'm working. Anyone else have anything like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 nope, but allergies suck ass. This one does, I really don't want to be allergic to one of my fave hobbies 'cos that'd suck big hairy donkey balls! I think I may have the answer though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augsburger Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 I assume you are using a filter mask correct? Also I would recommend when you finish with the wood, change your clothes immediately and take a shower. If you are in fact allergic to some particular wood species you want to get as far away from it as possible once you are done cutting and sanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
en480c4 Posted May 25, 2008 Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 None of the woods I've worked with have caused any type of reaction. Sorry to hear it... Hopefully it's just an unfortunate coincidence and you'll be able to continue working with anything and everything. I worked with some nice mopani today, and no rash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2008 Yeah, bit of a bummer but I'll live. I've never come across this before so it's a bit of a surprise I can tell you. Anyway, I'll just have to make sure I'm covered up while working. I don't like wearing gloves when I'm playing but I guess I'll have to make accommodations from now on. If I can figure out what wood is doing it that'd be good. Goggles, mask, gloves and now probably a one-piece romper suit and I will end up looking like that dumb picture above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pars Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 That sucks to hear Smeggy. The first band I played in starting when I was in junior high had a really good guitarist who wound up being allergic to guitar strings... he would develop a rash much like what you are describing. He could avoid it by wiping the strings down with rubbing alcohol (can't remember how often he needed to do that, once a set or maybe once a night was enough). Don't think you can wipe the wood down like that though... hopefully you can figure out if it is a particular wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt Peanuts Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Man, sorry to it Smeggy. For me, nothing beats Benadryl for getting rid of the allergy induced rash/bumps, even if the drug generally knocks me out for couple of hours. I like other allergy drugs (e.g., Zyrtec) for other symptoms, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aardvark baguette Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 I'm most definitely not a woodworker, but (and I am almost sure you know this already) certain woods can be toxic when sawed. I know Cocobolo is one. It may be that state of wood that is affecting you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 I love the smell of freshly sanded cocobolo in the morning. I've worked with cocobolo in the past with no problems. Right now I have Rosewood, walnut, paduak, madrona, maple and bloodwood. No telling which one is a problem or if all are. I'm taking Zyrtek at the mo' as benedryl makes me sleepy and I'm also using some cortisone cream, still...wont....stop...itching.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duggeh Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Possibly exposure to something else is causing this? A glue you're using in the workshop? Have you changed your soap or anything recently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Nah. Same old everything, just some new wood and toys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Don't make me come over there..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 I have allergies, and I have allergies pretty bad, but I've never had anything like this. My condolences. I would almost go so far as to say that that doesn't sound like a typical allergic reaction. Next time it happens, take pictures, and bring them with you to an allergist (or at least your general practitioner). It does sound like a reaction of some sort, just not necessarily an allergic reaction. (I got corrected on this about something similar by my allergist, recently.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smeggy Posted May 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 I have allergies, and I have allergies pretty bad, but I've never had anything like this. My condolences. I would almost go so far as to say that that doesn't sound like a typical allergic reaction. Next time it happens, take pictures, and bring them with you to an allergist (or at least your general practitioner). It does sound like a reaction of some sort, just not necessarily an allergic reaction. (I got corrected on this about something similar by my allergist, recently.) It's a pretty strong reaction to something, and it's very tender so It may not be a strict allergy as you say. I've never had any allergies before and at 49 I think it's a bit late to be developing them now. It's been minor for a few weeks and then just exploded on me Friday night and Saturday. Damn thing has been waking me up at night itching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krrm Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Lets hope Dusty is right and that this is something else that will pass. Time to see a doctor? I'm not allergic, but I can certainly imaging that being allergic sucks big time. Get well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utilisateur Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 I think Bloodwood and Paduak are toxic when you work with em. I'd check with a doctor and consider wearing cloves and mask atleast when you're cutting or sanding them ! yay, your thread finaly made me sign up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhjazz Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Time to see a doctor? Well, we'll have to get smeggy to wear a hat...so the good doc can focus on the problem at hand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diebenkorn Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Could be the chemicals used to treat the wood or in keeping pests away, I know there is untreated lumber but for exotic woods I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augsburger Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I blieve when I did some research last year I found that Bloodwood and Purple Heart can be very toxic. It sounds like you are having a very severe allergic reaction, be careful because the next stage in swelling may very well lead to swelling of the airways and that can mean a new avatar for you. Very bad, don't waste time with an Internist go straight to an allergist. The allergist can perform a skin or Rast test and determine the source, it may save you a trip to the ER. We have a lot of allergies in our family and we have found that people's sensitivities to allergic sources can change quite a bit as they grow older. So do not assume that since you did not have a sesitivity to some woods or chemical compounds when you were younger that you do not have them now. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I just want to know where Smeggy has been for the last two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Me too, but I am assuming he is being fitted for his bubble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 I just want to know where Smeggy has been for the last two weeks.I just hope he hasn't submitted to toxic shock or whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 That sucks to hear Smeggy. The first band I played in starting when I was in junior high had a really good guitarist who wound up being allergic to guitar strings... he would develop a rash much like what you are describing. He could avoid it by wiping the strings down with rubbing alcohol (can't remember how often he needed to do that, once a set or maybe once a night was enough). Don't think you can wipe the wood down like that though... hopefully you can figure out if it is a particular wood. probably a nickel allergy, as I have the same issue. Very common these days, especially with people of German / Russian descent it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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