Thread: Wood allergy

Go here and look at bad woods.


Al

Hi Aron,

I to suffer from allergies and most saw dust sets me into a severe sneezing mode. Silky oak is a good one as it has sent me over the edege from time to time. I didn't sneeze or cough much when working with some brush box over the last weekend. To counter it I wear a P1 rated dusk mask and don't have any worries.

I've chosen to never work with red cedar again, because of the reaction I have to it, unless I have proper equipment that will negate the effects of the dust.

cheers
RufflyRustic

I have a strange reaction. I get depressed, and moody if I don't go near sawdust for too long.

Actually, its not a matter of being allergic to some particular woods - I'm allergic to them all. Its a contact allergy unfortunately, so dust masks etc wont help - the dust can contact any part of the body and the reaction will occur. The reaction is an itchy contact dermatitis. Its an unfortunate thing to have for a keen woodworker - but I'm glad I'm not a professional as I can knock off when I feel like it.

The drug 'Telfast' stops the allergy quickly and completely for a period of about two days - which is nice, though I dont want to be taking this drug all my life.

I havent yet found any one wood species to which I am more sensitive then any other, though I always watch closely when dealing with the usual suspects.

Arron

Arron, that's rough, really rough. Good to hear that you can get some relief, but I'm sorry, I can't think of anything to help you other that a really good dust extraction system, an air purifier/cleaner and covering as much skin as possible when making sawdust.

RufflyRustic

Originally Posted by Arron

Anyone else here suffer from a generalised wood allergy (ie allergic to all kinds of wood - or wood dust). If so, how do you get around it ?

cheers
Arron

Wear a mask and get tested for allergies?

[QUOTE=Arron]Anyone else here suffer from a generalised wood allergy/QUOTE]

No but I do suffer from a generalised work allergy.

Arron
Take up pottery.

I believe that there's another current thread going on a related topic - drink port. Lots of it, especially crusted vintage port:eek:

A tad mor seriously, I sometimes have issues with Camphor, Blackwood and a few others; mostly dermatitis, so I use a barrier cream (more port)!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Arron

The drug 'Telfast' stops the allergy quickly and completely for a period of about two days - which is nice, though I dont want to be taking this drug all my life.

Arron

Hi Arron,

Is 'Telfast' a prescription or OTC drug?

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

Hi Arron,

Is 'Telfast' a prescription or OTC drug?

Cheers!

Sorry to but in. It's OTC, my wife uses it because it is one of the very few that people with high blood pressure can use.

Originally Posted by Termite

Sorry to but in. It's OTC, my wife uses it because it is one of the very few that people with high blood pressure can use.

Thanks for that Termite!

I think I'll try some

Cheers!

make sure you get the version of Telfast that is specifically marked 'relief of hayfever allergy or itchy skin rash/hives'. Its in a green packet. The usual version may not work so well with skin things.

Arron