Looking advice

[Tom.1946]

Wonder if an reason for a couple of things.
Got a vacanation about 3 weeks ago. Have been down with 1. A cold since then. 2. When going to bed I seem to wake up with an itch and come out in blotches all over my arms, legs, back, neck and chest.
If I turn acrylic when sanding and finishing I usually where gloves. If I turn wood I have been told don't wear gloves. However I have finished sanding and put on gloves to put on sand and sealer, melamine etc.
Also are there certain woods to avoid as recently I have been working with Yew, Brown Ivory, laburnum Purpleheart Ash Oak and a few others. Just wondering if I could be allergic to some of them or are their particular woods to really avoid???

Regards
Tom

 

[MikeC]

Go to the Doctor's Tom,
Mike

 

[alan morrison]

Cocobolo has given me a bit of an itch from time to time.
I would always wear a good mask when working with Yew and Laburnum, but don't think that I got any skin reaction.

Take Mike's advice and see a doctor....if you are ever able to get an appointment.

 

[Tom.1946]

Cocobolo has given me a bit of an itch from time to time.
I would always wear a good mask when working with Yew and Laburnum, but don't think that I got any skin reaction.

Take Mike's advice and see a doctor....if you are ever able to get an appointment.

I went to surgery at 8.30 and waited till seen by reception and got a appointment for that day. He advised me that it was an allergic reaction but couldn't rule out if from injection or just an allergy to something. Gave me cream and tablets like hysteme and got a good night's sleep. So will have to finish the course and see what happens.....

 

[Martinbee]

Hi Tom, the Wood Database is an excellent reference point regarding toxicity of timbers. Not everyone is effected the same by any given substance and you may never find out the cause of an allergic reaction. It may all just settle down itself, but keeping a diary of exposure to chemicals, finishes, medication or even foods etc, may help to narrow things down a bit, or even find the cause.

Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database

www.wood-database.com

Hope you feel better soon.

Martin.

 

[Tom.1946]

Hi Tom, the Wood Database is an excellent reference point regarding toxicity of timbers. Not everyone is effected the same by any given substance and you may never find out the cause of an allergic reaction. It may all just settle down itself, but keeping a diary of exposure to chemicals, finishes, medication or even foods etc, may help to narrow things down a bit, or even find the cause.

Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database

www.wood-database.com

Hope you feel better soon.

Martin.

Thanks Martin so far so good...

 

[Pierre]

Niangon gives a skin reaction and is bad for the lungs, Yew is completely poisonous except for the red of the berry (but I wouldn't eat it) Wenge splinters give rashes and they become sore. In fact most woods are not very good for the lungs. Fruit woods tend to be the safest, the others have all of their various toxicities so the wood database is the main reference.

The reason for not wearing gloves on a lathe is that if they get caught, the subsequent finger ripping is too fast for you to get away from!! Just as not wearing safety glasses tends to attract fast moving lumps of half turned wood... trust me on the latter and I now wear ordinary glasses with hardened lenses because I need varifocal glasses but they don't work properly behind safety glasses (which also interfere with my hearing aids) so I pay extra.

Vaccinations are personal, after 25 years in the military (vaccinated all over for every potential problem) the only vaccination that ever caused me a problem was tetanus which gave a very sore arm the rest have never troubled me and I've had 7 covid jabs!!

 

[pittswood]

Likewise my wood database is a must, before any wood is turned. I've had a reaction to Yew, Bocote, Wenge and a Burmese teak. I use a full air respirator now and use a barrier cream on my hands. It does work, but the down side is the dust collects on your hands. I do not, ever, use gloves, I need all my fingers.
Kelvin

 

[howsitwork?]

Banksia pods are a swine as the fine fur inside them gives you severe itch. If I ever turn them I wear full respirator and afterwards , still wearing respirator go outside and shake down. Then remove all clothing ( inside ) and put in the washing machine. Shower and then sometimes hydrocortisone cream on hands to reduce the itch if it happens.

Ive reacted to Elm before but otherwise generally been ok . I now take precautions but would not turn with gloves on for risks already highlighted above. I have metal turned wearing gloves but my hands are remote from the work and never go near it when machine is turning.