Spotted Gum allergy

I need help on a very painful reaction to exposure to timber.

I've been using different species of timber for many years, with no problems. Recently, I've been building a deck out of Cypress Pine with Spotted Gum decking boards and a H4 T pine sub floor.

The first few days were fine but now, after a day working on the deck, I break out in the most horrendous rash. My face, nose, ears have become swollen, itchy, and bright red, with a burning sensation and I have a hot lumpy rash down my left arm.

I have read on another site, of allergic reactions to spotted gum. This seems to make sense, as I was sanding this timber (without a mask..oops) and my left arm was leaning on the deck while nailing down.

Has anyone had a similar experience with spotted gum and can I stop these violent reactions by just wearing a mask, or do I need to cover up totally before touching this timber ??

Please help !!!!

Jess, I worked in a joinery shop using spotted gum for hardwood joinery frames for concrete block houses. Sapwood on spotted gum is lyctus susceptable and must be treated before it is sold. The most common treatment is a cell cure process using a mix of copper, chrome and arsenic salts. As a result, I broke out with an itchy rash on the inner arms, stomach and in the nether region. Now creams are available to relieve the itch. In fact only last Wednesday, I had to machine about twenty-five metres of 100 x 50 treated spotted gum and the itch broke out within 24 hours. That was six days ago. I chose to ride it out, and the itch has all but gone. I was wearing overalls too. Might be a good idea to see a doctor to get some relief.
Jim

Thanks powda,

Went to the quack today. He said it is caused by physical contact with a timber, as opposed to breathing it in. I really hope it's only Spottie that affects me. If it's sawdust in general, I'm screwed. I'm going to finish the deck this weekend, which involves cutting some Cypress. If there's no reaction, I'll be one happy bloke. Thanks for the post.

Damn Jesspet that's not real flash mate. I hope its nothing serious mate, I thought that there would be more chance of getting crook with the treated pine than goog old spottie. Hope that all goes well.

Jess,
don't give up if you have an allegic reaction to the cyprus as well as it's not an uncommon reaction.

Mick

Jess, some timber or the dust thereof will cause different reactions in different people or not at all.

For example:
I've found I'm highly sensitive or even allergic to western red cedar dust. Love the smell of the timber, hate the dust as it gives me a bad headache and I feel majorly nauseous.:(

But on the other hand, Camphor Laurel doesn't affect me, but causes an almost instant, debilitating Migraine for at least two members on the board here.

Cypress just makes my skin itch a little, but it disappears when washed off.

So now I will not work with WRC, full stop, but Camphor is fair game :)

If I ever did have to work with WRC, I'd be kitting myself out as if I was insulating walls or that type of work, i.e. a good dust mask, hat or head scarf, jeans, thick socks, boots, long sleeve shirt with collar, safety glasses and then have a dust extractor to pick up as much dust as possible. :rolleyes:

You may find some timber dust is more problematic than others and that is normal. It just means that we need to be aware of the dust and make the effort to protect ourselves.

Good Luck
Cheers
Wendy

Thanks team.

A recent update - It's cypress that's making me break out like the elephant man. I rubbed a small amount of cypress sawdust on my arm recently and bingo - a huge reaction. Other sawdust doesn't cause the same reaction. So that new cypress deck out the back will never see sandpaper and I'II make sure she's well sealed from now on.

Thanks for the assistance.

Glad it all worked out for you Jepset and at least you have an answer to the initial problem.

hi Jesspet,you say you went to the quack.

what did the doctor recommend?

prescription drugs or over the counter drugs from the chemist?

i have never had rash from wood sawdust.

sweat is another thing all together. i normally use a steroid cream called hydrozole to clear that bugger up.

if ever i do get an allergic reaction from dust, i would like to know what the doctor actually recommends these days.

cheers, justin.

Justin,
The doc gave me a strong antihystamine. This was a prescription medication. Apart from that, he said lots of people have allergies to sawdust and there is really nothing that can be done about it. At least I now know it's only cypress that turns me into the creature from the black lagoon.

The best cure is good dust extraction. Sawdust is nasty stuff, esp with the large number of treated/manufactured timbers around these days.

As for a sweat rash - don't work so hard mate. I've found a beer or two in the workshop works wonders !!

cheers jess, thanks for the advice, do you know where i can find a cheap beer fridge.......