IPE, anyone ever get a rash from it?

[Roy from Pa]

Yesterday we had 6 guys in my bow shop working on bows. One guy was cutting and sanding an IPE longbow. I have never been around IPE being cut or sanded before yesterday. I handled his bow a few times, naturally I touched my face quite a few times after that. Last night my face began to burn and my eye lids got swollen. This morning my face is still burning and my eye lids are very swollen. Anyone ever have this problem with IPE, and if so what did you need to do for it? Thanks, Roy

[Apex Predator]

I'd get to a doctor.

[Don Stokes]

Many kinds of wood have natural chemicals to protect from harm by bugs and such. It's not unusual for humans to be affected, too. Treat it like an allergy, and be careful not to breathe any dust! All kinds of fine wood dust can cause serious respiratory problems, and some can be downright deadly.

A dermatologist would be a good idea if it doesn't go away pretty quickly.

[bowur]

ya, the same thing happened to a freind of mine you should go see a doctor, Next time cover your skin, and face well and wear a repirator

[Roy from Pa]

Thanks guys. Seen a Doctor this morning, he prescribed some medication for me. I was wearing a respirator yesterday when anyone was cutting or sanding, plus my air filter system was running. The air in the shop stayed very clean with it running, guess it was just me touching the bow and then my face. I look pretty funny this morning:) Think I'll stay clear of IPE from now on.

[Scott F]

I'd take their advice and see a doctor.  Good thing there are plenty of other bow woods to use, if Ipe was the only bow wood you would probably do well to take up golfing!

Good luck, I hope that the symptoms are short lived.

[jsweka]

Funny thing with allergies - some people get them and some don't.  Ipe is notorius for causing a reaction.  Fortunately it didn't bother me when I used it, but I took precautions and was a bit nervous when I started on that project.  Did anyone else have a similar reaction?

[Dale in Pa]

Never worked with Ipe, but Cocobola sure does it to me. Happened gradually over the years to the point where I can't work with it at all now.

[bowur]

I always wear gloves, a hat and coveralls too, and havent had a reaction. I leave the coveralls in the barn when im done so I dont track any of the dust inside my house. I think everyone reacts differently though

[kat]

Ipe can be some really bad stuff, especially if inhaled.
I didn't know how bad it was until after I made my first Ipe bow.  I am one of the lucky ones.  No reaction, but from what I hear, I am in the minority.
 Good luck.

[Frank]

I have not tried Ipe yet, but black locust does a number on me to the point where I won't make selfbows out of it anymore.  Will def. take the precautions when I get that piece of ipe.

[Jeff Smith]

Sorry you had such a bad reaction, Ipe is a Very good bow wood IMO. I often tiller with a belt sander and have not had a reaction, sounds like you are now taking proper precautions, hope you are well soon.

[Roy from Pa]

Well it's been 3 days now since I was in contact with it. Most of the swelling around the eyes has gone, however my eyes are still watery and itchy. The skin on my face and my eye lids is flaking off like sunburn. I'm still on the meds and using a steroid cream for the skin. I don't want to ever be around it again. New rule in my Bow Shop, no IPE...

[lonstand]

I have heard of different types of wood dust causing problems. Not the same with everyone.

[Loren Holland]

i got a pretty bad headache from Ipe sawdust, but no skin rash, i want to try some other bowwoods, but i wouldn't rule out Ipe, i will just take precaution, that stuff is so dense it makes an awesome bow.

[carver]

i have had similar troubles when milling yew into lamination strips...yew is another wood notorious for causing allergic reactions.  the dust is poison.

[Roy from Pa]

I know a guy who got very sick from Yew wood dust. He can't even get near it anymore. Just want to make any new Bowyers aware of things that can happen. I am all better now..