Seventy Year (plus) Itch

[JimB]

I rarely have had problems with wood dust/shavings until the last few years. It was brought home with a vengeance when the doctor diagnosed dermatitis on my ankle, probably because occasionally my socks can fill up with shavings when turning in shorts.
Has anyone else noticed sensitivity increasing with age?

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Hi Jim ,not so much age related dust problems but allergies to different timbers can arise ,many years ago I had to turn a lot of ash and I had a similar reaction to yours .I stopped using ash and the problem disappeared however I only have to turn a small amount of ash now and I quickly have the problem again.Try to avoid the timber that caused the problem and if you are a hobby turner try turning more green wood this will definitely help.Kev.

 

[woodfarmer]

Also never had an problems until I did a lot of sanding of yew one day. During the night I had a heart attack and since then been very sensitive to dust and pollen. Am a good boy now and always wear a mask or my airshield hood.

 

[CHJ]

This is worth a read (from the Help Sticky)

Sensitivity to one wood can encourage others to have an effect, I have had to take precautions for some years due to histamine reactions to certain woods/dusts, first bad reaction, sort of none wood related was the fungal spores or dust in an old timbered and thatched property I visited that was being re-furbished by a friend, but problems came to a head so to speak when I worked some IROKO.

Spalted Beech, Ash and Oak have recently reminded me to be careful, also beware of CA Glue fumes, latter may not be the same route to cause but the facial histamine reaction can be just the same and can be confused for dust problems.

 

[JimB]

Of course the woods that cause the most trouble are the best looking ones! European walnut (but not American) and some natives such as the casuarinas. I tend to shower more these days

 

[JimB]

Also never had an problems until I did a lot of sanding of yew one day. During the night I had a heart attack and since then been very sensitive to dust and pollen. Am a good boy now and always wear a mask or my airshield hood.

Makes dermatitis seem quite mild. I was warned off yew as a kid but notice lots use it. I keep clear of laburnum for the same childhood warnings.

 

[JimB]

thanks for the advice Chas and Kev.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I don't suffer from dermatitis but on a visit to the diabetic foot clinic the ulcer specialist was not amused to find a two inch diameter ulcer on my ankle liberally coated with mahogany dust ... #-o

 

[JimB]

I don't suffer from dermatitis but on a visit to the diabetic foot clinic the ulcer specialist was not amused to find a two inch diameter ulcer on my ankle liberally coated with mahogany dust ... #-o

You're safe from woodworm anyway if you stick to mahogany :wink: