Ipe question

[BCWV]

I've searched and have found where some folks have had adverse reactions to Ipe and from what I've found, it seems to be rashes, burning of the skin and inhalation issues.

 I worked a BBI yesterday and wore a respirator while I sawed the Ipe and when I had it on my jointer.  I didn't wear one while I was scraping the limbs to tiller.

 My throat burned a little last night but that was about it. I woke up at midnight with a high fever and have felt like I have the flu all day. My nose isn't running and no cough, I just ache and am fevered. My wife is sure it's the Ipe but I'm hoping it's a bug. Have any of you had fever, aching, flu like symptoms with a reaction to wood?

 Thanks

[jsweka]

Brad - When I worked with ipe, I had absolutely no problems, but others have bad reactions.

Fevers are symptomatic of an infection and since you also have a sore throat and are achey, it could be strep throat.  I don't know that an allergic reaction to the ipe would bring on a fever, but I'm fish biologist not a people doctor so I may be full of crap too.  

Hopefully it's just coincidence that you're getting sick at the same time you worked with ipe and aren't one of those people that bad reactions to it.

[BCWV]

That's what I'm hoping John. It seems there's a new bug going around every few days here and I just can't seem to say no to any of them.  

[4runr]

Brad, IMO it's the IPE. I had the same reaction.

I didn't think that scraping would create dust, just shavings. I was wrong and paid for it. I will NOT mess with Ipe again

[BCWV]

Oh no Kenny! If my wife hears this she won't let it go. I've been telling her all day it's just a bug and a coincidence that it hit me after working the Ipe. I was thinking the same thing about scraping, no need for a respirator, just shavings.

 You were fevered too? I do know I feel like crap. This bow better turn out to be a shooter!

[LittleBen]

I think your sick. Fever is not a symptom of allergic reaction.

[BCWV]

That's what I'm hoping Ben. I felt better yesterday and my wife and I went to a 3D shoot. I went down in the basement and worked an hour on it last night, came up, showered and ate dinner. I started getting the feel bads about the time I went to bed and was fevered again. I'm still not sure but think I'll finish my tillering outside to see if that makes a difference.

[4runr]

Yes, it ended up becoming a sinus infection before it was all over with. The bow was the best shooter I've ever built.
I did mess with Ipe again after that, using a resperator the whole time but still had a reaction, just not as severe.
I sold the rest of the BEAUTIFUL, straight grained Ipe I had.

[LittleBen]

Well brad. I hope you get better whether its illness or ipe. But if you HAVE to get rid of your ipe. I know exactly how to dispose of it ... Lol.

[Roy from Pa]

My first run in with IPE was 5 years ago and I still have problems. My face was burnt, my eye lids were almost swollen shut. I still today continue to get skin rashes and the back palms of both hands are always breaking out with a rash. I use a prescription cream on the hands and rashes. We had to change laundry detergent and shower soap as I was breaking out all over like I had chicken pox. It messed up my immune system that bad. You might want to visit a doctor, Brad.

[Bowjunkie]

Note to self.... no ipe.

[jess stuart]

Used it once in a riser, made my eyes and throat sting, haven't used it since.  I hated how much dust it makes when you saw or grind it.  Probably would try it again if someone wanted it, but would do as much as possible outside my shop.

[Roy from Pa]

Yup Bowjunkie, with your episode with Lyme disease, IPE could be a disaster, Bro. I have been to the Dermatologist twice a year for the past 5 years now. The first visit he gave me a steroid shot and steroid pills for a month. There are so many things that never bothered me before, that now just tear me up. Even those wet hand wipes or go-jo hand cleaner now just burn the crap out of my hands or face.

The wife now calls me a dainty little flower:) LOL

[4runr]

Maybe you should change yer handle."Daisy from Pa"  

[carpin'mark]

BCWV I'm sorry to hear about your reaction to the Ipe, I hope everything works out OK.

Has anyone heard about the same happening with Cocobolo? I was on a woodworking website a while back and several guys had the same issues, one went so far to say that there were two kinds of people, those allergic to Cocobolo and those that weren't allergic yet.  Yikes!
Of course I'm still rolling the dice, has anyone had or heard a similar experience?

[Buemaker]

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
Good grief, lot of bad stuff here, looks like Yew and Laburnum are the worst. Bue--.

[carpin'mark]

That link is quite the eye opener, it says Douglas fir can give you 'giddiness' - I thought I was just really happy I got new arrows, now I'm not sure...

[takefive]

Thanks for the link, Bue.  I was shocked to see that sassafras is on the list.  I love the way that stuff smells and thought it was harmless because they used the root for root beer way back when.  I'm going to upgrade my dust mask and stop sniffing sassafras :-(

[BCWV]

Thanks for the replies and advice fellas. I think my issue was a bug now although the Ipe dust does make my nose, lips and throat burn and it itches my skin like I'm working with insulation.

 I got her tillered out this afternoon and need to shoot it in and put the finish on it. I'll do what sanding I need to do outside in the open air.

 I guess I'll go ahead and keep this piece of Ipe Ben.   :D

[BCWV]

Originally posted by carpin'mark:
That link is quite the eye opener, it says Douglas fir can give you 'giddiness' - I thought I was just really happy I got new arrows, now I'm not sure...

LOL!!!