Doctor in the house?

[RDH79]

Ok Well after 25 plus years of working about everyday with wood I seem to become allergic to a species or a fungus that is on some wood I have bought. I have a terrible rash in the webbing of my fingers and itchy. Really realty itchy.

First thing I eliminated was Cocobolo. I packed it up and havnt touched it for a month.
Still got it.
Anyone have trouble with Honduran Rosewood Burl ?
I had a 3 day show last weekend so was not in the shop for 5 days and it cleared up. Tuesday morning started running different woods and now its back.
Any ideas?
Have a doc appointment the 22nd but I have had it with the itching.
Thanks

 

[KenV]

Not a doctor and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express

But

Others have developed sensitivity to rosewoods -- of which one of the rosewood family is Cocobolo -- You might want to ditch that whole family as bad company until after you see the real doctor.

 

[jaywood1207]

Lacewood is really bad for me. Rash in many sensitive areas like around my eyes, in the crease between my forearm and bicep, behind my knees as well as some other unmentionable areas. If it is an alergic reaction start eliminating other woods one at a time and in order to get some relief put a good cream on the areas that are affected as soon as you get out of the shower.

 

[nava1uni]

Sounds like you are allergic to the Rosewood family. Benedryl works well for the rash and itching. Stay away from it because each exposure increases your sensitivity and the results can be terrible.

 

[mark james]

I also have bad allergic reactions, also no Dr., but here's my input:

I never used any of the specific Rosewoods, cocobolo, etc. I have reacted with Lacewood, Padauk, and casting with the Alumilite chemicals (never even considered PR!). I now can do castings under a sand-blasting glove box - with no reactions! (In the IAP Library). So my take is, IF we can eliminate exposure to the dust and our skin, and eliminate breathing the air-bournes, there is hope!

I have (to be delivered on Monday) upgraded from a 30 micron dust collector to a 1 micron canister filter. I also have a ceiling mounted 1 micron air filter.
I use a full Sorby turning smock (makes me look impressive even if the turnings don't :tongue.

I use a full face shield, but next on the list is one of the expensive respirators.
And I may also use thin disposable gloves to protect my hands from the sawdust as this is the last exposed area.

I have also been told that once you are "sensitized," it will not go away, and with repeated exposure it will get worse. Also, the air filtration/dust collection is key as what we breath in, can come out as a skin reaction.

I have been trying to get rid of 10-12 half-dollar sized skin patches for the last 6 months! They are not spreading, they don't get worse, but the creams we have tried (4 now) make them better, but have not taken them away! I'm in the Cleveland Clinic Network, so no lack of resources.

NOTE: All this is JUST ME! I'm NOT a DR, so just take it for what it's worth!

 

[Mike_in_Atlanta]

If you are allergic to cocobolo then as Cindi says you are going to be allergic to everything in the rosewood family which includes cocobolo. I found out I am allergic to rosewood 30 years ago and have avoided it ever since. I broke out in a rash that looked like poison ivy and had to get two cortisone shots for relief. A few years ago I accidentally used some veneer that was in the rosewood family and immediately started to itch while sanding it.