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tea lady
28th March 2010, 12:30 AM
B&^$*@! Silky oak is my favourite wood. :C But turned a bit today, and now I have "hurty skin" (Kinda like someone scrubbed it a bit hard:doh: ) And my lungs feel tight and my eyes are a bit sore and I feel a but queezy too. :saddest: :gaah: I hope its something else. :C I've got all these loverly logs waiting on the wings. :bigcry:

I know some of you out there are also sensitive too it. Is it just Gravillia Robusta that sets you off? There are so many trees that get called Silky Oak. Maybe I can use something else that also has madullry* rays. :think: Hakia and she oak or something. :shrug:

*(I still can't spell madulry ! :doh: And spell checker keeps suggesting Marmaduke and adultery. :rolleyes:)

DavidG
28th March 2010, 12:46 AM
medullary

tea lady
28th March 2010, 12:49 AM
medullary:CThanks. Don't tell . :secret: :rolleyes: And can ya fix up AllArgy in the title? :C Hell! Someone might want to google it or something.:rolleyes::D

Cliff Rogers
28th March 2010, 12:51 AM
Bummer dude. :(

DavidG
28th March 2010, 12:54 AM
bit rough. Lucky I have not yet copped any effects.
Try some hay fever tablets. the antihistamine may help ???

tea lady
28th March 2010, 12:58 AM
Bummer dude. :(:bigcry: Thanks! I'll have to get a new favourite timber now. :saddest:

(Thanks for correcting the typo in the title. I seem to also have an "e" somehow on the front of "edeveloped" instead of on the end of "I've" :doh: Might be time I went to bed. :C:) )

tea lady
28th March 2010, 01:00 AM
bit rough. Lucky I have not yet copped any effects.
Try some hay fever tablets. the antihistamine may help ???Good idea. I think I even have some. :think: except they are "non drowsie". :rolleyes: Night now. :bye:

artme
28th March 2010, 07:43 AM
Absolute bummer!!:C:C:C

Sawdust Maker
28th March 2010, 08:08 AM
B&^$*@! Silky oak is my favourite wood. :C But turned a bit today, and now I have "hurty skin" (Kinda like someone scrubbed it a bit hard:doh: ) And my lungs feel tight and my eyes are a bit sore and I feel a but queezy too. :saddest: :gaah:...)


I get a similar reaction to work :o:doh:

Seriously a real bummer TL

Does it mean you have to wear long sleeved turning gear etc?

Ironwood
28th March 2010, 09:09 AM
Please except my sincere comisserations TL,
I couldn't think of anything worse than being allergic to wood. :no:

sahawi
28th March 2010, 09:38 AM
Did you wear some protective clothing? Like a dust mask and clothes that prevent the dust to touch yor skin. It seems a bit unfair...but I do wear it. Just in case. Here In S.A. we have a wood called Tomboti. It is a very beautiful wood.....but very harmful.

Woodwould
28th March 2010, 09:54 AM
And my lungs feel tight and my eyes are a bit sore and I feel a but queezy too.

Well you should be able to buy a preparation from a chemist for the "but queezy". The other symptoms should be treatable with antihistamines as others have said. Tough luck.

BTW, Mrs. Wood calls medullary rays "stretch marks" (and vice versa).

Sawdust Maker
28th March 2010, 10:12 AM
...

BTW, Mrs. Wood calls medullary rays "stretch marks" (and vice versa).

very good, LOL

AlexS
28th March 2010, 10:51 AM
Hard news TL. At Sturt, they had to ban SO one year, because one bloke had exactly the same symptoms as you.

NeilS
28th March 2010, 11:48 AM
My son helped me to move a load of the Silky Oak, plus English Oak, Pear and Holly, and he came up in a severe rash and swelling that started on his arms and then spread to his abdomen and legs, along with a thumping headache. Ended up in emergency when his breathing became a bit tight. Not sure which wood/s did it, but won't be asking him to help me with that again.

Turned some of the green Silky Oak this week and that got my sinuses going, even though I was wearing my usual protective outfit, but no rash.

Also have some green Blackwood which I'm about to start turning and expect a reaction to that.

Red cedar is also a problem wood for me.

For some people the sap in green wood can be more problematic than the seasoned wood.


Sheoak and Buloke both have very nice medullary rays and may cause less problems for you, TL.

.....

rsser
28th March 2010, 11:52 AM
Sounds like an allergic reaction TL.

SO is known for this.
Sap may cause blistering of skin, inflammation of eyelids. Dust may cause dermatitis re southern SO, from this source (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/badwood.htm#S)

Repeated exposure builds up your sensitivity until bingo.

A specialist may be able to advise on a desensitation routine.

Ed Reiss
28th March 2010, 11:55 AM
yep...turned a chunk of SO and had skin and respitory problems from it. This was back in the late 80's...haven't touched it since:no:

Ozkaban
28th March 2010, 01:23 PM
I'm very allergic to it as well.

My eyes all puff up, and my arms, neck, etc all feel so itchy it feels like they're on fire.

I found that Telfast does sod all, but there's some steroid based medication that I was prescribed that was like a switch... blessed relief! mind you the !$## doctors only gave it to me after 4 visits.. :~)

It's a serious bummer as it is such a beautiful wood. I have found that I'm *extremely* allergic to green stuff, but the dry stuff is still bad, but not terrible.

Cheers,
Dave

Woodwould
28th March 2010, 02:00 PM
I don't have these problems with European timbers! :roll:

rsser
28th March 2010, 02:14 PM
As posted, some folk get a bad reaction straight away and some folk become sensitive over time.

For me over the years it's redgum that has come to affect the sinuses and eyes so I take care to wear a filtered visor as soon as the shavings stage gives way to the dust stage.

If you look at the ubeaut link above WW you'll see there's some Euro species that can bite back too. Otherwise, Google on 'toxic woods' for more depressing news.

There's no shortage of evidence of worse results either; nose and throat cancer rates are higher among woodworkers than in the general population. In 1996 the US professional society of occupational hygienists declared wood dust to be as carcinogenic as asbestos fibres.

So prevention is the way to go.

I'd be wary of medication that just supresses the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Woodwould
28th March 2010, 02:29 PM
I was being a flippant twit and I have no doubt there are European timbers that cause reactions of one form or another, but I haven't encountered any. The ones that do set me off are Mahogany (dirty throat for a few days, but only after prolonged exposure) and Satinwood (full-on cold-like symptoms even from cutting a little bit of veneer).

I have little experience of Aussie timbers (other than a Jarrah chisel handle I turned) and a Rock Oak (Allocasaurina huegeliana) handle that IanW turned for me and which I've been coveting and sniffing fondly. Under the light of recent accounts, I might stop sniffing it.

rsser
28th March 2010, 02:38 PM
Good idea. Might get you arrested ;-}

Ozkaban
28th March 2010, 04:18 PM
As posted, some folk get a bad reaction straight away and some folk become sensitive over time.

For me over the years it's redgum that has come to affect the sinuses and eyes so I take care to wear a filtered visor as soon as the shavings stage gives way to the dust stage.

If you look at the ubeaut link above WW you'll see there's some Euro species that can bite back too. Otherwise, Google on 'toxic woods' for more depressing news.

There's no shortage of evidence of worse results either; nose and throat cancer rates are higher among woodworkers than in the general population. In 1996 the US professional society of occupational hygienists declared wood dust to be as carcinogenic as asbestos fibres.

So prevention is the way to go.

I'd be wary of medication that just supresses the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

pretty much on the money, Ern. the only way to deal with it is to avoid the timber entirely. Medication is only useful for when there's accidental exposure and you've gotta do something about it... Certainly not meant to allow you to continue playing with the wood :no:

turnerted
28th March 2010, 04:27 PM
A reaction to silky oak about 7 years ago is what convinced me to buy a triton respirator . Never had any problems with SO or any other timber since .

Ted

wheelinround
28th March 2010, 05:06 PM
Here you go TL Uncle Neil's U-beaut Toxic Wood bible Woodies stuff (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/woodstuf.htm)

rsser
28th March 2010, 05:15 PM
Nice to have us singing a duo Ray.

wheelinround
28th March 2010, 05:44 PM
Nice to have us singing a duo Ray.

Sorry Ern skimmed that one :doh:

tea lady
28th March 2010, 07:08 PM
BTW, Mrs. Wood calls medullary rays "stretch marks" (and vice versa).:rofl:





Sheoak and Buloke both have very nice medullary rays and may cause less problems for you, TL.

.....I'm sure there are heaps of other woods I can use as alternatives. I remember seeing somewhere a list that Cliff R had put up, of all the different types of wood that get called Silky Oak or lace wood.:think:

glenn k
28th March 2010, 10:13 PM
I have a friend that developed an alergy to Grevillea robusta then other Grevilleas started to affect him. Plane is also called Lacewood and it looks like SO only on a smaller scale. Also sheoak and hakea or you could use real oak Quercus or even beech. But it's always better not to breath wood dust or get it all over you.

tea lady
28th March 2010, 10:19 PM
But it's always better not to breath wood dust or get it all over you.Yes I know, but it just gets in doesn't it.:C:D

DJ’s Timber
28th March 2010, 10:34 PM
Have a small amount of Banksia here if you want to see if that gets any reaction from turning but I'll say it most likely will, as it is a Grevillea as Glen says.

Have a few small slabs of Sheoak as shown here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f14/scored-some-nice-sheoak-47197/) that you can have a pick at if you like, still pretty much have all of it still, also have another Causurina log sitting here that has spilt pretty badly but you'll be able to get a few decent turning bits out of it, but you'll have to make the drive up here to pick through it and select what you want.

tea lady
28th March 2010, 11:49 PM
Have a small amount of Banksia here if you want to see if that gets any reaction from turning but I'll say it most likely will, as it is a Grevillea as Glen says.

Have a few small slabs of Sheoak as shown here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f14/scored-some-nice-sheoak-47197/) that you can have a pick at if you like, still pretty much have all of it still, also have another Causurina log sitting here that has spilt pretty badly but you'll be able to get a few decent turning bits out of it, but you'll have to make the drive up here to pick through it and select what you want.:cool: Could be a good school holiday outing. (Banksia isn't gravilia is it! :hmm: I do have a little bit. Will try and see! :cool:)

Paul39
29th March 2010, 04:54 AM
Tea Lady,

I have not read all the above, so this may have been covered.

Try a barrier cream on hands and arms. Cold cream may do it. Close fitting long sleeves also.

I have a box fan blowing out in the doorway of my shed 6 feet from the headstock and a little to the left. This makes a breeze coming from the right and behind me and takes the dust and light chips away. I also use a doubled big red cowboy type handkerchief tied over my nose and mouth, bandit style.

This has almost eliminated the "turners cough" for me.

You might could cobble up a supplied air mask using a hair dryer that blows cold, and a light plastic hose blowing under a face shield.

If money is of no concern, there are wonderous supplied air and power filter systems available.

hughie
29th March 2010, 08:41 AM
I have a box fan blowing out in the doorway of my shed 6 feet from the headstock and a little to the left. This makes a breeze coming from the right and behind me and takes the dust and light chips away. I also use a doubled big red cowboy type handkerchief tied over my nose and mouth, bandit style.
This has almost eliminated the "turners cough" for me.

Like wise I have the poor mans dust extraction of a box fan blowing over the headstock and out the door. Will building a ducted set up later.

RufflyRustic
29th March 2010, 08:56 AM
:( Sad news Tea Lady. I've found I'm sensitive to western red cedar - headache, itchy skin, nauseous. Even though I've an air filtration unit in my shed, I find I end up wearing a mask close to 80% of the time I'm in the shed, just because I make that much sawdust.

I hope by now the symptons have eased.

cheers
Wendy

Scorp
29th March 2010, 09:02 AM
Be careful if you have developed an allergy.
A Student at Sturt a couple of years ago had to give up the course because she developed severe allergy to ANY fine wood particled.She got very ill, and a bit of research by a couple of us yielded the info that some people can develop such severe reactions that they are life threatening.
I believe that you are doing a course in a "multi-person" workshop where there will be a lot of suspended particulate matter--sanding, sawing etc-where the "perpetrator" is probably masked up a la OH&S , but those around him are not.
Be aware also , that once youi are "sensitised" to an allergen, the subsequent reactions can be much worse.
On that very cheerful note, in the way of our Septic friends, I wish you "A nice day".

Drillit
29th March 2010, 09:54 AM
Hi Tea Lady,
We are all sorry to hear of you submitting to silky oak reaction. Could I suggest that you get a non drowsy antihistamine and take that (say) 1/2 hr or so before you start working with it. I use a respirator and gloves with tops cut off and find that way I can avoid problems. It is really important to use these OH&S solutions - especially when sanding s/oak because a respiratory infection can be nasty (particularly with Winter closing in). Hope you get better soon and turn things round. Good luck, John M.

tea lady
29th March 2010, 10:13 AM
Hi Tea Lady,
We are all sorry to hear of you submitting to silky oak reaction. Could I suggest that you get a non drowsy antihistamine and take that (say) 1/2 hr or so before you start working with it. I use a respirator and gloves with tops cut off and find that way I can avoid problems. It is really important to use these OH&S solutions - especially when sanding s/oak because a respiratory infection can be nasty (particularly with Winter closing in). Hope you get better soon and turn things round. Good luck, John M.gloves with tops cut off? :? I use gloves to protect the BACK of my hand from fast flying chips. what do you mean "the tops cut off. :hmm:
Turn things round. :cool: Will do! Just in other woods. :D

I think the anti hystamine is a good idea if working with it is unavoidable. It doesn't just mask the symptoms, it stops the reaction. But I will have to be a bit more vigalent in using a dust mask. :cool: For sanding everything. :U

nalmo
29th March 2010, 11:17 AM
I've take to turning using a dust mask all the time. Had similar reaction to TL's with silky oak, and red gum seems to produce a thick dark dust that finds it's way up my nose. I used to use disposable paper dust masks, but found they always tended to fog glasses, so invested in an "expensive" Dust be Gone, but find it far superior to any of the paper masks I tried, so tend to wear it all the time.

As for using gloves, just cut off the tips of the fingers (gloves that is, not the hand), so the back of your hand is protected, but you still get tactile response from the end of your fingers.

Sturdee
29th March 2010, 03:09 PM
so invested in an "expensive" Dust be Gone, but find it far superior to any of the paper masks I tried, so tend to wear it all the time.


So far I've only been using "free wood" and I have had some problems with sanding red gum even though I have a box fan blowing the dust away and a dust collector catching it when sanding.

So we've just ordered those dust masks as well.


Peter.

Woodwould
29th March 2010, 03:21 PM
I bought a Dust Bee Gone from Jim Carroll an it's the only one that works for me and my fat head.

rsser
29th March 2010, 03:36 PM
WW, I'm sure your head is merely big, and deservedly so given your woodworking achievements ;-}

My challenge is a beard, as you can see, so a filtered visor is the only option, short of slicking the beard down with Vaseline - not something I fancy.

Ozkaban
29th March 2010, 03:45 PM
My challenge is a beard, as you can see, so a filtered visor is the only option, short of slicking the beard down with Vaseline - not something I fancy.

The dust be gone thingy is supposed to be developed with beards in mind... I think, anyway!

Cheers,
Dave

rsser
29th March 2010, 03:55 PM
No fraid not Dave. Have tried one. Any face mask depends on a good seal around the skin.

My face fungus is a little on the springy side.

Anne-maria, any drug has its costs, and some of the side-effects of anti-histamines are not nice: clicky (http://www.medicinenet.com/antihistamines-oral/article.htm)

Full protection is your best bet, or, er, abstinence.

Ozkaban
29th March 2010, 04:06 PM
No fraid not Dave. Have tried one. Any face mask depends on a good seal around the skin.


Bummer. I thought that was the selling point of the things :whatonearth:



Anne-maria, any drug has its costs, and some of the side-effects of anti-histamines are not nice: clicky

Full protection is your best bet, or, er, abstinence.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:


These things get worse over time. You don't want to make it worse by tempting fate. I only use medication now when I accidentally get exposed to it, as happened at last years working with wood show - walked through a cloud of dust near where someone was sanding a bowl on a lathe. My wife knew the species the instant I walked in the door :doh:

Cheers,
Dave

rsser
29th March 2010, 04:15 PM
Yep.

Even when you rug up fully, the dust particles float around in the shed for some time. When you pull the protective gear off to walk out, or to do something else, you're sucking them in again.

So Anne-maria, in the spirit of selflessness, I'll take all your SO off you and swap you some lumps of Cypress. Fine grained, lovely to turn, & some of it has great figure.

And if you spend a lot of time messing with it, I'm afeared that it'll bite back too.

Woodwould
29th March 2010, 04:17 PM
My challenge is a beard, as you can see, so a filtered visor is the only option...

I came across a thing the other day called a razor.

Ozkaban
29th March 2010, 04:18 PM
I came across a thing the other day called a razor.

:rofl:

Ern, I looked them up Dust Mask (http://www.dustbeegone.com/dustmask.html)

and they reckon "Forms to all face shapes (even works with beards). "

Dunno if real life lives up to marketing though :shrug:

Cheers,
Dave

rsser
29th March 2010, 04:52 PM
Dave, if you had a beard of fine silky hair ....

you'd prob be a trannie ;-}

Nah, as I said, I tried one, along with rubber marks and cartridges (which performed better as it happens but still not good enough). Anything to avoid the appalling price of a filtered visor but 'twas not to be.

WW, razor eh? ... have played with one of those but the tear-out was shocking.

RETIRED
29th March 2010, 05:48 PM
I came across a thing the other day called a razor.You Heathen!!!!!!!!:D

rsser
29th March 2010, 06:03 PM
Hasn't read about Samson obviously.

tea lady
29th March 2010, 06:06 PM
Well I don't have much of a beard problem. :rolleyes: So maybe I'll try one of those mask thingies..:cool:

tea lady
29th March 2010, 06:08 PM
and swap you some lumps of Cypress. Fine grained, lovely to turn, & some of it has great figure.

:rolleyes: I've been working with cypress at 's. Stinky stuff. Like really off mangos. :blink: :yuck:

rsser
29th March 2010, 06:23 PM
So it makes you puke ... a step up from weeping and coming out in a rash :rolleyes:

Woodwould
29th March 2010, 06:30 PM
WW, razor eh? ... have played with one of those but the tear-out was shocking.

I say we put that old Ulster Rudge of yours up on the centre stand; I'll work the throttle and you hold your chin steady against the rear tyre and we'll have you looking like the baby's derriere in no time flat.

nine fingers
29th March 2010, 08:59 PM
I bought a Dust Bee Gone from Jim Carroll an it's the only one that works for me and my fat head.
Dust Bee Gone is good , rinse it out before and during use , use it damp , stops my dust problems. John

tea lady
29th March 2010, 09:53 PM
Dust Bee Gone is good , rinse it out before and during use , use it damp , stops my dust problems. John:think: I like the idea of washable and reusable and all that.:cool:

Ozkaban
29th March 2010, 10:15 PM
Dave, if you had a beard of fine silky hair ....

you'd prob be a trannie ;-}

Nah, as I said, I tried one, along with rubber marks and cartridges (which performed better as it happens but still not good enough). Anything to avoid the appalling price of a filtered visor but 'twas not to be.

WW, razor eh? ... have played with one of those but the tear-out was shocking.

:U:U Fair enough.

BTW, the tear out can be cured by proper sharpening, and correct technique. Also sounds like you're not keeping the bevel rubbing which can cause catches ("Oh Schick" moments). Cross grain can be cantankerouse though :rolleyes: We can get one of the younger blokes to do a photo tutorial for you :D:D:D



:rolleyes: I've been working with cypress at 's. Stinky stuff. Like really off mangos. :blink: :yuck:
Dried cypress smells nice though. Really dried cypress is as fragile and spliterery as anything and a real PITA.

Cheers,
Dave

tea lady
29th March 2010, 10:41 PM
BTW, the tear out can be cured by proper sharpening, and correct technique. Also sounds like you're not keeping the bevel rubbing which can cause catches ("Oh Schick" moments). Cross grain can be cantankerouse though :rolleyes: We can get one of the younger blokes to do a photo tutorial for you :D:D:D


:rofl:


Dried cypress smells nice though. Really dried cypress is as fragile and spliterery as anything and a real PITA.

Cheers,
DaveNo! :no: Still smells yucky! AND its hard. :rolleyes:

springwater
29th March 2010, 11:02 PM
:think: It'd be good if the wood could be kept wet to keep the dust down but suppose that's impossible, just a thought :rolleyes:

tea lady
29th March 2010, 11:23 PM
:think: It'd be good if the wood could be kept wet to keep the dust down but suppose that's impossible, just a thought :rolleyes:Its the oil or something on the skin to though. :doh:

Woodwould
30th March 2010, 10:14 AM
Its the oil or something on the skin to though. :doh:
Wipe yourself down with thinners first, or have a Karcher shower.

tea lady
30th March 2010, 04:33 PM
Wipe yourself down with thinners first, or have a Karcher shower.:rolleyes::d