Thread: think I've developed a silky oak allergy.

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

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

I don't have these problems with European timbers!

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.

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.

Good idea. Might get you arrested ;-}

Originally Posted by rsser

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

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

Here you go TL Uncle Neil's U-beaut Toxic Wood bible Woodies stuff

Nice to have us singing a duo Ray.

Originally Posted by rsser

Nice to have us singing a duo Ray.

Sorry Ern skimmed that one

Originally Posted by Woodwould

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

Originally Posted by NeilS

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.

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.

Originally Posted by glenn k

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.