allergic reaction (sorry, it's long)

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ahoiberg

ahoiberg

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Ames, IA, USA.
i know a lot of people have had an allergic reaction or two to various aspects of woodworking but i thought i'd share my experience to see if anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences.

i brought a few logs (one silver maple, one cherry) out of my garage to cut down with the chainsaw and then ultimately, into some blanks on the bandsaw.

before i started all this, i ate a peach and noticed my lips were a little inflamed around the areas that i bit into the peach after finishing it... i didn't think too much more about this, just figured a little herbicide residue despite the fact that i rinsed it...

anywho, i started chainsawing the logs and apparently was exposed to a tad too much CO (explaining the nausea later on). i, for some reason didn't think the saw was smoking any more than it should but my wife claims it was...

i started band sawing the maple, found some curl & figure, got excited, showed my wife, forgot to put the respirator back on and finished the maple. i really didn't cut that much wood, the maple log was small and the cherry i only cut a few pieces out of until i started to feel kinda nauseous.

so, i bailed on the project, came in side and switched between laying down, sitting up and whatever in between to feel comfortable. after a while of feeling REALLY cruddy, i thought i should throw up... i failed at that and started sneezing a bunch instead. after i sneezed a bunch of times, my stomach felt better but i noticed my upper lip felt kind of numb. i was a little itchy too so i decided to shower and noticed a rash in my armpits, crotch and beltline...

nothing's really happened since then, i don't itch anymore, i'm no longer nauseous, but still have a bit of a rash in the aforementioned areas and my lip still feels a little numb on the corners where i bit into the peach...

so, has anyone else had such a toxic day? or any of the same symptoms whether they be related to CO, wood dust or herbicide residue? i'm gonna get a nasa space suit to wear when doing any sawing again.

man, talk about the trifecta. [xx(]
 
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Not a doctor [:0] but I am guessing it was from the peach. I had the exact same symptoms after eating peanuts a while back and have never had a problem before or after that?? I noticed the same numbness and sweating symptoms as you. It's possible the wood didn't help but It sounded like a food allergy reaction.
By the way no charge for my diagnosis [;)]
 
Just to follow up on my previous comment, if you think it may be food-related (and yes it can develop as an adult) then PLEASE see an allergist ASAP. If anaphylactic, It CAN be fatal in a matter of minutes and an epi-pen WILL save your life.

Take care,
Pat
 
thanks for your responses. after doing a bit more research based on what you said, i definitely think it was a food allergy... definitely never had any of these before, but i realize it can strike as an adult. i'll have to go see an allergist and see what's a-happenin'... thanks again.
 
Sorry to hear this but as mentioned...be glad because it could have been worse.

I had a similar episode before (living alone while going through divorce)...eating a half-cooked crab (now you know I can't cook) [:D]. I "talked" with the bathroom bowl for hours...emptying my stomach that was long empty.[xx(]

Looking back, it was a very foolish in my part not to call 911. My lips, face and body was full of wheals as possibly my internal organs. [B)]
 
Originally posted by Dario<br />
Snips Ahoy!

I had a similar episode before (living alone while going through divorce)...eating a half-cooked crab (now you know I can't cook) [:D]. I "talked" with the bathroom bowl for hours...emptying my stomach that was long empty.[xx(]
Click to expand...

I think the "raw seafood allergy" is one that 99%+ of people have. Probably for good reason too.

Ironically I like sushi- the ones made with eel.[xx(]
 
Originally posted by ahoiberg
<br />thanks for your responses. after doing a bit more research based on what you said, i definitely think it was a food allergy... definitely never had any of these before, but i realize it can strike as an adult. i'll have to go see an allergist and see what's a-happenin'... thanks again.
Click to expand...

Good on 'ya for taking care of it. Best of luck. [:)]
 
I've never had a nauseous day but have experienced some rashes lately.

For over 15 years mahogany has been my wood of choice in my shop and I build large furniture projects with never a problem other than a little dust getting around my eyes and causing them to itch.

Lately, within the past few months however I have noticed that everytime I get around mahogany and do any sanding whatsoever, my arms and neck break out in a bright red rash which lasts for a few days.

I don't know what to make of it and wonder if one can suddenly become allergic to a wood?
 
Originally posted by Texatdurango
<br />I've never had a nauseous day but have experienced some rashes lately.

For over 15 years mahogany has been my wood of choice in my shop and I build large furniture projects with never a problem other than <b>a little dust getting around my eyes and causing them to itch. </b>

Lately, within the past few months however I have noticed that everytime I get around mahogany and do any sanding whatsoever, my arms and neck break out in a bright red rash which lasts for a few days.

I don't know what to make of it and wonder if one can suddenly become allergic to a wood?
Click to expand...

From your account...it doesn't sound it was sudden at all [;)]
 
George,

constant exposure to a particular wood, even only periodic exposure can all of a sudden cause an allergic reaction to the wood without warning. it has something to do with your body becoming sensitized to the allergen in the wood, they call it a latency period. from what i understand, it won't get any better either. every time you work with mahogany now, you'll get a rash and the only way around it is to cover yourself completely and you might consider getting a pressurized dust mask.

i'm sure there's better articles out there, but this one is a pretty good starting point:
http://www.gvwg.ca/docs/Articles/WoodToxicity.htm
 
dario, i'm a huge sushi fan too... i think the allergic reaction comes particularly from shellfish. so stay away from the crab rolls! although the crab is usually imitation and cooked.
 
First of all, let me say that I am not a medical practitioner, so my opinion is unqualified and worth absolutely nothing [:)]

That aside, you've had multiple classic symptoms of contact (numb and inflamed lips), respiratory (sneezing), and systemic (body rash) allergic reactions.

Personally, I'd suspect the peach, but I second the advice to seek a competent medical opinion. You've survived a mild reaction but may have become sensitized. Find out before you have a severe one.
 
You guys need to soak those peaches in a quart jar with a clear liquid that is available in these parts, There be no reaction with the peach! Now the liquid has been known from time to time to have after effects [;)]
 
Originally posted by ahoiberg
<br />...I'm sure there's better articles out there, but this one is a pretty good starting point:
http://www.gvwg.ca/docs/Articles/WoodToxicity.htm
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. Interesting reading and it sounds like that is EXACTLY what is going on... with the red bumps that look like poison ivy. Looks like long sleeve shirts are the order of the day when sanding from now on.

It also looks like the smart thing to do is also wear the Trend face shield when sanding as well as turning.

George
 
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