Alergic reaction???? help please

[BigJim]

I could use some help in preventing or eliminating my next alergic reaction. I am on my third reaction and it is getting old.

I use only exotic woods while making laminated R D bows. I had a reaction back in May. Itchy eyes, necks and inside of arms and down to groin. Was using Cocobolo, Bicote, Zebra, Maple, Osage, P heart, Paduak, Bubbinga. Took about 4 weeks or so before it went away. Not being shure it was the wood, I Continued to use same woods all summer and have had no problem. Lately I finished 9 bows of the same make up but included my first dealings with Leopard wood. Broke out badly. Went to doc got shot and prednazone dose pack. Took care of problem in a few days. About the same day it cleared up, I Made a leopard wood picture frame for mom for Xmas and it absolutely jumped on  me again. Another shot and dose pack and it is declining but slowly.
I have a good dust colecting system and usually wear a respirator.
Any help or ideas will be greatly received.

Thanks, BigJim

[No-sage]

Wear gloves and cover your exposed skin.  Make sure you shower after woodworking.

Might be a good idea to use coveralls and leave them in your shop to keep the dust away.

[huntersteve]

I've heard others talking about IPE causing problems but not the woods that you mentioned...I've got some Zebra wood that I'm getting ready to start working with so I guess I need to wear some protective clothing and such...thanks for the heads up...Steve

[BigJim]

Thanks guys- I normally wear gloves. Mostly in the winter I wear long sleeves. I have bought throw away sleeves but bought plastic ones by mistake. They are hot and uncomfortable. Have not had problems with ipe yet. Also I have done a lot of zeebra and feel it highly unlikely that is is the problem but you never know.
thanks guys, Keep it coming.

BigJim

[blueslfb]

Could it be the glass or epoxy you are using?  I used to work on glass boats for a while and that fiberglass gets in ever pour and can make life miserable.  Maybe its the fiberglass dust and particles that get you when you are cutting and sanding.  Just a thought.

[Bear Heart]

I doubt it is the fiberglass if the medication is helping it.  This might sound horrible but I would make isolated piles of dust from each wood and rub it on a part of my  body.

[charlie brown]

You mite try Painters coveralls made of paper not so hot tape the sleeves & legs.
Charley Brown.

[GreatBay]

BigJim,
I build flyrods for a living and there are a number of builders in the industry who have developed an epoxy sensitivity that is almost exactly as you described.
Many builders who develop this reaction need to switch from using an epoxy to finish their rods to another type of finish.
Gloves and a mask(one that really filters epoxy vapor is recommended as the sensitivity can be potentially dangerous to certain people.

[TNstickn]

Many of the woods you list are carcinogens. You should read up on the exotics for sure. 50% of asthma cases develop after the age of 30. Allergic reactions of the stuff we are talking about are cummulative over time, then like a switch being flicked, your body reacts to the bad stuff. Your reaction speed will probably increase if you are in an enclosed area, even with a dust collector. I have a hard time during winter working in my shop, there isnt enough fresh air circulating. The heated air keeps the micro particles air born longer. Just walking around stirs them up, even if you cant see them.

[BigJim]

The first time I had a reaction was in May. At that time I thought it must be the fiberglass. I had been working with several exotics for a while and had no problem until that incident. When the rash and itching went away, I went almost 7 months with no problems. Then two back to  back episodes and I am blaming the Leopard wood because of my new exposure to it.
I too have heard that it could be the epoxy, and someone once said it might be the Acetone. I have been using Smooth on epoxy and thunderbird finish all year. I have made over 60 something bows since my first reaction. If it was either of them, why would it be so sporatic.

The last Doctor that I went to said to make a paste out of the sawdust of several different woods and put it on a bandaid on the inside of my arm. He also said to be shure to put some epoxy on a bandaid too.
I am going to try this when the itching goes away from the most recent bout.

thanks for all the help, BigJim

[John Scifres]

Don't mess around.  Find a specialist.  I'd be very leary of a doctor that recommended doing allergic testing on yourself.

Allergic reactions are often preceded by what's called sensitization.  It is a process your body goes through to fight things that can harm you.  As said above, it is very often like a switch from no reaction to mild itchiness to all-out systematic problems.  Some natural latex allergies or sensitization have led to shock and death in perfectly normal and healthy people that previously had no problems.  Many hospitals are latex free as a result.

A friend of mine, became sensitized to yew and spent about 3 months battling systematic problems that pretty much wiped him out.

[SoNevada Archer]

Jim
I use many different woods in my knifemaking activities. I've heard of these reactions from Cocobolo and am sure others would do the same.
It sounds like you've taken a bunch of percautions.
Other than showering off as soon as your done working. The only other idea I can give you is to buy a "bunny suit" they are used in the isulation business and are a light weight durable paper/fabric that covers you like a pair of coveralls. Use them, step out of them and throw them away. This would reduce the amount of dust that might be building up on your clothing as well as getting on to your skin.
Hope this helps...

[kennym]

Jim,don't know much about it,but sounds pretty serious. Good luck and am pullin for ya!!

[7eyes]

I would try taking a antihistamine before going to bed after working with the known reactor. I use generic Bynedryl  capsules ( Diphedryl ) if I know I've been through some poison oak. It can reverse your sensitivity to the reaction. You have to take it before the rashes come out. It closes off your histamine receptors. And much more mild to your body than Prednasone. Don't take it in the afternoon unless you want to take a nap.

[BigJim]

I apreciate the help guys. I am scheduling an appointment with an allergy doc. Maybe he too can help. I have heard of boyers giving up on exotics for such reasons. Don't know if it is true though. I will exhaust all posibilities first. "itch, itch, scratch, scratch" Oh well

thanks, BigJm

[Holm-Made]

Talk to Jason Kendall of JK Traditions out of IOWA.  I think he has the same problems.  Chad

[mmgrode]

Interesting you posted this thread now.  I too have recently had an allergic reaction to the wenge I was using for handle laminations.  I had used it before, but last week I suddenly broke out in rashes on exposed parts of my skin(face, neck, arms, hand, and a nasty one on my leg). That sure is weird how you become sensitive all of a sudden and bam, allergic reaction.  The real bugger is the reaction can come a couple days after exposure.  Really am considering tossing the remaining wenge.  Man, this sucks! I sure am glad I wear a respirator or it could have been real bad. Be careful with those exotics fellas.  Matt

[elkslayer]

Yea I had a major reaction with Ipe but never the woods you are talking about. Good luck.

[shamus]

Stop working on bows. See a doc pronto.

Allergic reactions to tropical woods is not something to take lightly.

[Jason Kendall]

I used them for years and never a problem I quit using them for no reason other than I built just one model bow for G&M Archery, when I went on my own again something changed! It used to be just the rosewoods now most any natural wood makes me sick, almost flu like. I cut some zebrawood a few weeks back because it's never bothered me but the dust in the air made my face feel like it was burning. I am seriously thinking black glass and dymondwood may be the way to go for me. Or at least back to stained Actionboo with clear and no veneers.