Wood Allergies

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MrPukaShell

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Joined
Jan 23, 2008
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361
Location
Simi Valley, CA, USA.
After reading for hours on end I have figured out what this rash is, I am allergic to some of the wood I have been working with. I believe I have it narrowed down to some Black Walnut I was turning. My question is, from everything I read it is due to breathing the fine dust particles. But there is not much mention to clothing. What type of protective clothing does one need to wear? Or does one have to worry about skin contact? Also does anyone know how long this rash is going to last? I am going down this weekend to get a quality respirator and price a dust collection system. I have never been allergic to anything so this whole thing has caught me off guard.

Thanks,
 
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Mahogany does similar things to me. The dust really makes my nose start running. Then I itch, like crazy.
I just recently purchased a dust collector from PSI and I have not had any trouble since.
There is no cloud of dust and it sucks everthing but the very heavy shavings. It also sucks up paper towels, and anything else thats gets close to the outlet.[:p]
 
Rather than a rash I had an annoying cough and sore throat from some wood I was working. Walnut, Ebony and a Red colored wood. Anyway there is plenty of info on the web about toxic wood. Just about everything is toxic to some extent.

I discovered that I'm allergic to Bananas which are in some allergy class as Walnut. Walnuts among other things make my tongue burn.

For breathing I got a ventilated and filtered head mask. A little uncomfortable but it works. My central vacuum sucks a lot of stuff up but in a bright light I can still see very fine dust particles in the air.

I sometimes wear a leather welders apron to keep my clothes clean. Cheap at Harbor Freight.
 
I have become highly alergic to CA fumes and CA dust. Flu like symptoms for two days unless I use my Triton helmet without fail. I hate having to put it on for a 2 to 5 minute application and sand. And if I do that just once on a pen, the flu like symptoms jump all over me within 2 to 3 hours.

I am working on a low noise but efficient Vac/Dust system to pull the dust away and see if this helps.

I REALLY enjoy pen turning as a hobby. Not lots of pens but about one a week. I am working on ways to salvage CA finishing without having to give it up. I know that in retirement, I will be able to build a DC system that will probably take care of most of it. But for now, in Japan, the noise of a DC system is more than I think my neighbors would tolerate. Houses are CLOSE here.
 
I had a situation a lot like yours a couple of years ago.A neighbor had a pear tree fall due to a storm.I helped him remove it and in return I got a lot of the wood.Really cool looking wood too.I took a small piece of it and put it on the lathe and made a goblet out of it.The next day I was broke out on my arms,neck and back.Did'nt think much of it.Three days later still itching and burning.Went to doc and he gave me a shot,probably over priced Benedryl,cleared it right up.About two weeks later,in my infinite wisdom,tried to turn some more of it,next day,broke out again in the same places.Needless to say the rest became firewood.
 
Desert ironwood does it for me. I will get a rash on any exposed skin that is contacted by the dust. Fortunately, handling pieces of the wood doesn't trigger any reaction - it's only the finely-divided material that causes trouble. If any dust gets near my eyes, it burns like crazy and my eyelids will be red for a few days.

I now use a full face shield and respirator (use it for all turning work), and keep sleeves buttoned up, etc. I also have a DC hood on my lathe, which gets most of the dust out of the way. I don't have any problems with DI any more. Still, I might invest the $$ in a Triton helmet.

Applying some hydrocortisone cream will usually reduce the skin reaction for me. I keep a tube of it in my first aid kit in the shop.

Cheers.
 
I went to the doctors yesterday and he gave me some cream for the itching and said to get some over the counter meds which I did and this morning most of the rash has lessoned. I will be off to visit some of the local stores and price a DC system. A respirator will be one of the items I will pick up today. I have some blanks ready to go and this is really killing me. I just know now that I have to be really careful with the Walnut. What really pisses me off is I just got some really nice sticks of Walnut to make some Pepper grinders with and it will just have to wait until I get my dust under control. Thanks for all of the advise, I knew I was in the right place.
 
The Mr. has a very similar reaction to CA if he does a lot of it at once. Flu like symptoms. It took us a few times before we correlated the two. He also gets mild symptoms to DIW Burl. Most I think can be avoided with air-filtration - although I did kind of threaten to just start turning all of the DIW myself [}:)]

[:X]
 
I also have a problem with walnut. Last summer it looked like I had poison ivy from the waist up. It took some creams and prednisone to get rid of it. I don't turn walnut anymore. Its not worth it.

Linda,
I would be willing to sacrifice myself and take the temptation away from The MR.. Please pack the DIW up and send it to me, I will even pay the postage. These are the sacrifices that I am willing to make for you. Please don't say no as I know you are just looking out for my health also, but I feel I must.[|)]
Always willing to help,
Johnnie
 
Many people are sensitive to walnut dust. Others aren't. Allergies and sensitivities vary with the individual. I am sensitive to aromatic red cedar dust and have to wear a mask when working with it. Bottom line is, if you find you are sensitive to something take precautions. Reactions have the potential of being fatal. If you go into anaphylactic shock you could die before getting proper treatment. I have an epinephrine pen available at all times.
How long a rash will last is a Doctor question. It will vary with the individual. One thing I do know about allergic reactions, from experience, being told by doctors and classroom study, they do worsen with repeated exposures. Mild today can be severe later.
 
Cocobolo gives me strep like symptoms. I recently purchased a metal dust hood with grate from Penn State. I position it above and behind the blank I'm turning and it sucks up enough/all of the dust that I no longer get a reaction when turning it.

I'd like to buy a trend/triton eventually, but since I already had DC in my shop and the hood was only $20.00 I figured I'd try it first. If your reactions are severe this may not be enough for you but it works in my case.

TM
 
I have a severe reaction too cedar. Severe vertigo and flu like symptoms for 2-3 days. A good DC system is a must. I am saving up to get a clear vue cyclone system because they are rated pretty high at fine dust removal.
 
Hank, you're pretty creative. Penn State had a small dust collector for carvers and such. Powered by computer fans. What if you made a box and installed 4 - 6 computer fans and a couple furnace filters, cut to fit. This would be quiet...
 
Originally posted by jwoodwright

Hank, you're pretty creative. Penn State had a small dust collector for carvers and such. Powered by computer fans. What if you made a box and installed 4 - 6 computer fans and a couple furnace filters, cut to fit. This would be quiet...
Click to expand...

John

I am making a large insulation lined box cabinet to put my vac system into. And I have a second fan to take air into the cabinet and blow it out through carpet lined baffles. I am trying to keep the vac reasonably cooled inside its enclosure.
 
I wear a turning smock (long sleeved) as well as a respirator (not the paper dust mask) the respirator is doing no good if it does not have an air tight seal to your face. my mask is only a half face style so from the cheeks up my face is still exposed. I don't have any allergy problems and don't intend to get any. By the way it is the finest dust that causes the most problems.
 
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