Camphor Laurel allergic reaction

[BCC]

Hi Turners,

Can seasoned Camphor Laurel sawdust create allergic reactions to the skin or is it only a problem when wet. I have developed a pretty bad itchy rash on my stomach where the main shavings hit (through a T-shirt) and on my exposed arms. I have been turning camphor laurel, myrtle and oak in the last week. This is pretty intense, with the itching keeping me awake at night. The doc says it should go away within a couple of weeks :( Any good remedies?

Thanks,
Bruce

[chuck1]

Some sort of antihistamines worked for me!

[Dengue]

Antihistamine tablets ( there are non-drowsy one a day versions available from your pharmacist) and also some Eurax cream for the itch.

I keep Eurax cream on the bedside table - mozzies just love my blood, which is why my wife likes me sleeping next to her - they all land on me, resulting in big itchy welts. Ahhh, the joys of tropical living :)

[brendan stemp]

Timbers will react differently with different people. I have not heard of anyone having a reaction to Camphor before but it doesn't suprise me. After 25 years of working with it I had a sudden reaction to Silky Oak. Haven't used it since. I have also noticed I am reacting worse and worse to timbers I use on a regular basis. Prevention is better than cure. A good respirator helps me but I think you will need to protect yourself from the wet shavings in future.

[Woodturnerjosh]

I remember seeing in a woodturning video that this production turner always uses barrier cream to avoid developing an allergy through contact.

[BobL]

Health effects of Camphor From Wikipedia.


Effects on the body[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Camphor&action=edit&section=10)]Small dose: Its effects on the body include tachycardia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tachycardia), vasodilation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasodilation) in skin (flushing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flushing_(physiology))), slower breathing, reduced appetite, increased secretions and excretions such as perspiration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspiration), diuretic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diuretic). [17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#cite_note-Church-17) Therefore camphor must be used carefully and in low dosage in baby oil (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_oil), where it is used for its calming effects.Large dose toxicity
Camphor is poisonous (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic) in large doses. It produces symptoms of irritability, disorientation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorientation), lethargy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethargy), muscle spasms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_spasms), vomiting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vomiting), abdominal cramps, convulsions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convulsions), and seizures (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizures).[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#cite_note-Medline-18)[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#cite_note-19)[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#cite_note-20) Lethal doses in adults are in the range 50–500 mg/kg (orally). Generally, two grams cause serious toxicity and four grams are potentially lethal.[21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor#cite_note-21)
If you are only using respirators you may still be exposed to allergy troubles as camphor is easily absorbed through the skin. It's also volatile so it's probably present in air direct from the turning and will go straight through ant respirator that is not a proper gas mask.

I also wouldn't use it for tool protection as some members on this forum have been doing.

[BCC]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I can't be certain that the camphor was the culprit, but it seems a possibility. It's certainly worth working out for next time. Or better still I'll use other wood.

Bruce