Got bit by Cocobolo

My second favorite wood is Cocobolo and I buy as much of it as possible for my knives. I wear a respirator when I grind Cocobolo and Desert Ironwood but I always cough for a couple days after the ironwood. I just this year started to get irritation on my arms from Cocobolo dust. (like a rash) I will not quit using it because it makes beautiful knives ( in my opinion) . I do not want to wear long sleeve shirts for safety reasons but I am considering coating my arms with something to temporarily block the pores from Cocobolo dust. I have considered spraying my arms with Pledge wax to seal my pores temporarily. The wood is superior for knife scales and I love natural materials for my knives. I am more worried about Micarta which I use once in a while. Any suggestions will be considered . Thanks , Larry Lehman
 
Larry, I would give baby powder a try. It will block your pores and is easy to clean off.

LARRYZ10 said:
My second favorite wood is Cocobolo and I buy as much of it as possible for my knives. I wear a respirator when I grind Cocobolo and Desert Ironwood but I always cough for a couple days after the ironwood. I just this year started to get irritation on my arms from Cocobolo dust. (like a rash) I will not quit using it because it makes beautiful knives ( in my opinion) . I do not want to wear long sleeve shirts for safety reasons but I am considering coating my arms with something to temporarily block the pores from Cocobolo dust. I have considered spraying my arms with Pledge wax to seal my pores temporarily. The wood is superior for knife scales and I love natural materials for my knives. I am more worried about Micarta which I use once in a while. Any suggestions will be considered . Thanks , Larry Lehman
Click to expand...
 
Ironwood is NASTY stuff contains a natural incsecticide, Gums up belts, and burns unless the belts are fresh ea time.
You will need to completely clean your shop of all dust. Switch to Bocote and you should be good. Had the same reaction to Cocobolo and Ironwood was worse, es[ecially for your lungs!
 
Hello Antlerhog, I'm new the forum here, so my credibility may be a bit suspect, i'll still make a few suggestions that may help.

Here are a few simple things that may help.

After exposing yourself to any wood you might react to, always wash with cold water. Using warm water opens the pores of the skin and allows the toxins to penetrate even deeper. cold water closes the pores and keeps the toxins from moving any deeper. This is a simple little trick most never think of. you can scrub a lot hard when using cold water, simply because the pores stay closed.

Another thing you need to think about doing is giving you sinuses a good clean rinse. If the wood fines are stuck in your nasal cavity you can continue to have skin irritations. don't use a nettipot, use only Nielmed sinus rinse. you can go on youtube and watch a video on how to use it. Use pretty good pressure when cleaning out your sinus, so as to blast the fines off the lining of your sinus.

There are two very simple steps you can follow to try and get your reaction back under control. Good luck
 
symmetry said:
After exposing yourself to any wood you might react to, always wash with cold water. Using warm water opens the pores of the skin and allows the toxins to penetrate even deeper. cold water closes the pores and keeps the toxins from moving any deeper. This is a simple little trick most never think of. you can scrub a lot hard when using cold water, simply because the pores stay closed.
Click to expand...
The old US Army trick. Works as well as can be expected after you have done your little dance in the gas chamber in basic training. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top