Nickel allergy

[The Aflac Duck]

#WebMD

 

[The Mastiff]

Aus 6 and maybe 8 also (?) have nickel in the composition. Perhaps that is one of them listed as a 440 steel. That isn't uncommon. My best guess however is the latex gloves. That is a very common allergy. Maybe you just never had the gloves on as long in the past? Just a guess.

Joe

 

[ferider]

If you think it's from the grinding, could also be a chromium allergy. See also, for example https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19831422. Or latex gloves, or the aluminum oxide, etc. Need more experiments to find out what's the root-cause, I'm afraid. BTW, aluminum can have some other nasty side effects (there is a possible link to Alzheimer's, for instance), so a mask is in order anyways.

 

[22-rimfire]

How did you determine that the reaction was due to nickel exposure?
Was the second reaction more severe than the first? If it was, stop what you are doing until you understand the trigger. Metal exposure can cause serious health problems. Very serious with prolonged exposure.

Have you been to an allergist? I feel sure in your case the allergy testing will involve blood work.

 

[AustinS1234]

Sorry, I've never heard of a human being allergic to nickel, or any other metal.

I'd guess you had a reaction to the sanding/grinding dust, somewhat similar to the reaction of the dust you get from sanding fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Did you tape the seams? (shirt sleeves to gloves, for example)

If you were sweating while working, you were hot; Regardless of the ambient temperature.
I know I've gotten hot and sweaty while splitting firewood when the ambient temperature was as much as 50 or 60 degrees or so below freezing, on the Fahrenheit scale.
(or if you prefer, "20 to 30 degrees or so below zero")

I did not tape the seams of my cloths but I have used the same style belts for a while. Maybe overtime my tolerance for that material went down? Also, I don't think I was sweating but its certainly not impossible.

 

[AustinS1234]

Just discuss possibility, it can be a mislabeled steel that actually has nickle. If you know you are allergic to nickel, then that possibility increases.

I bought the steel from Texas knife makers supply. To my knowledge they're pretty reputable. Does anyone know otherwise?

 

[AustinS1234]

It's hard to say for sure. There are too many possibilities to narrow it down. Some good ones so far:

- Mechanical irritation from particulants, either metallic or otherwise
- Actual allergic reaction to metal or something else
- Combination of mechanical and chemical irritation

The last one can be tricky. You might be weakly sensitive or allergic to something and not know it. For instance, one of the materials here or even something as seemingly benign as your fabric softener could be a culprit. Under normal circumstances, you might not get a reaction. Once your skin becomes mildly abraded, that could change. (Note that routine allergy tests involve abrasion to help facilitate reaction.)

Superpog might have a point as well. Steels aren't always labeled correctly. Most reputable companies can be trusted but this is a chronic problem with some less scrupulous overseas manufacturers. It can be a matter of deceitful marketing practices or just a quick supply change that never gets noted.

I feel like it could be a mixture of both mechanical and chemical. Also, I ordered from Texas knife makers supply, I thought they are reputable. Have you heard of any stories that say otherwise?

 

[AustinS1234]

How did you determine that the reaction was due to nickel exposure?
Was the second reaction more severe than the first? If it was, stop what you are doing until you understand the trigger. Metal exposure can cause serious health problems. Very serious with prolonged exposure.

Have you been to an allergist? I feel sure in your case the allergy testing will involve blood work.

I compared the steels that i have used in the past (01, 1095, s30v) to 440c and I found this: http://www.nsalloys.com/products/stainless-steel-bar/martensitic/440c.html the website says 440c has .75% nickel and the other steels I have worked with don't. (or at least I don't think they do) the second reaction was in fact worse but not by a dramatic amount.

 

[Dallas T]

I believe the gentleman above is correct, it’s probably the latex gloves! Im n the emergency medical field and it’s so common we don’t have anything latex anymore only nitrile gloves. Would be the most likely. Where on your body was the reaction?
And even if you’ve wore them forever with no issues it can change with no notice.

 

[22-rimfire]

I believe the gentleman above is correct, it’s probably the latex gloves! Im n the emergency medical field and it’s so common we don’t have anything latex anymore only nitrile gloves. Would be the most likely. Where on your body was the reaction?
And even if you’ve wore them forever with no issues it can change with no notice.

I can't stand latex gloves and only use nitrile. As far as allergies go, they can develop over time with exposure to something you never had any issue with. I would suggest you pay attention and seek out an allergist to at least confirm your impressions. If it is nickel, you can adapt to it and still make knives.

I developed a red meat allergy from tics (Alpha Gal). I love hamburgers or I should say I LOVED hamburgers as I haven't eaten one in about 8 years now. My second reaction was significantly more than the first with hives developing inside my body (not just where you can see them). Just so you know.... the third could kill you depending on severity. The hives scared me as I had no idea what was happening. I was one of the early cases of this (largely unknown locally) and since then it has become much more common especially with folks that routinely go outdoors in the woods or work where tics are more common. Once I understood what was causing the reaction, I adjusted my life to it. I did do some experimenting in terms of triggers and not just beef burgers. Since I understood the problem, I haven't had a reaction since. But I don't spend nearly the amount of time I used to in the woods where I am more likely to pick up a tic and not see it.

 

[AustinS1234]

I believe the gentleman above is correct, it’s probably the latex gloves! Im n the emergency medical field and it’s so common we don’t have anything latex anymore only nitrile gloves. Would be the most likely. Where on your body was the reaction?
And even if you’ve wore them forever with no issues it can change with no notice.

The first time this happened I did not have gloves on and I got a reaction. The second time it happened which was the following day, I had latex gloves on. At work I usually use nitrile gloves but on occasion I have used latex for hours at a time with no issues. The reaction occurred on my face, back, arms, legs, feet, arm pits and butt. While I was grinding both times I had a long sleeve shirt on, respirator, glasses long pants and gloves (only the second time).

 

[22-rimfire]

I would suggest that you get an EpiPen soon (prescription needed). If you have a severe reaction, you may not have time to allow things like Cetirizine to get into your system and work. My allergist told me to take it every day... how long?... he said for the rest of your life.... I did for awhile, but I feel as though I have a better sense of the triggers on me than initially.

I stopped hunting almost immediately. There was no point as I couldn't safely eat the meat. Some people have this much worse than me with reactions to even drinking whole milk (because it comes from cows) and not be able to eat any kind of meat product. I have encountered a few people since with this meat allergy and I have relayed my experience with it. Experimenting intentionally on yourself is risky.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have eaten say chicken at a fast food restaurant and later had an "itch". I knew it was my allergy and was reacting to grease that was probably on the grill when they cooked the chicken that previously had beef on it. It doesn't take much.

I would suggest that you shower almost immediately after grinding any steel.

So find out for sure what the allergy is if possible. Don't guess.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

Your body can develop an autoimmune response for no good reason at all. Given that you were taking skin barrier precautions and a respirator, the low-hanging fruit here is that you might be developing a latex allergy. Or the irritation of the chromium particulates--and possible nickel contaminants--is enough to trigger a latent latex allergy. Widespread hives can also be triggered by a change in laundry detergent or dryer sheets, and sweating in your clothes is a good way to get exposure to any chemicals that haven't been rinsed out. Another thing to look out for is if you added any chemicals to your garage layout recently; if your grinding media had exposure to volatile chemicals or got a good dusting from somewhere, using it to grind your blades is kicking out secondhand exposure. Look for changes in your environment, they can be clues.

I know this is the internet and opinions are near worthless, but allergenic responses are the kind of thing that can go from "wow this is unpleasant" to "extended hospital stay" or possibly permanent damage. Repeated exposure to an allergen above your reaction threshold can sensitize your body to the point of severe consequences. Quit listening to us and go to your primary care physician.

 

[Dallas T]

Allergies to red meat is from the DEVIL!!
Just Dam! Does that ever diminish?

 

[AustinS1234]

Your body can develop an autoimmune response for no good reason at all. Given that you were taking skin barrier precautions and a respirator, the low-hanging fruit here is that you might be developing a latex allergy. Or the irritation of the chromium particulates--and possible nickel contaminants--is enough to trigger a latent latex allergy. Widespread hives can also be triggered by a change in laundry detergent or dryer sheets, and sweating in your clothes is a good way to get exposure to any chemicals that haven't been rinsed out. Another thing to look out for is if you added any chemicals to your garage layout recently; if your grinding media had exposure to volatile chemicals or got a good dusting from somewhere, using it to grind your blades is kicking out secondhand exposure. Look for changes in your environment, they can be clues.

I know this is the internet and opinions are near worthless, but allergenic responses are the kind of thing that can go from "wow this is unpleasant" to "extended hospital stay" or possibly permanent damage. Repeated exposure to an allergen above your reaction threshold can sensitize your body to the point of severe consequences. Quit listening to us and go to your primary care physician.

I will look around but the only real change to my garage was the introduction of the 440c steel. i have made an an appointment and am going to get this whole thing figured out. Is it possible due to a poor seal on my respirator or faulty filters that I inhaled some metal dust and thats how the hives spread all over my body? Or would that be a blood stream thing not respiratory?

 

[22-rimfire]

....I know this is the internet and opinions are near worthless, but allergenic responses are the kind of thing that can go from "wow this is unpleasant" to "extended hospital stay" or possibly permanent damage. Repeated exposure to an allergen above your reaction threshold can sensitize your body to the point of severe consequences. Quit listening to us and go to your primary care physician.

And the Primary Care Physician will refer you to an allergist. You won't know about a latex sensitivity unless you are checked and it is a common allergy as are peanuts.

Allergies to red meat is from the DEVIL!!
Just Dam! Does that ever diminish?

They say that if you don't feed the red meat allergy, it may go away. 5 years is the time line, but it is all speculative. I should have the tests done again by the allergist (blood draw), but I keep putting it off. I have already adjusted and I suspect I would be nervous eating a big juicy (aka greasy) hamburger now regardless.

I do eat an occasional Taco Bell taco (red meat) and small portions of a beef roast that is well done without noticeable consequence. But at the same time, I may be doing just enough to "feed the allergy" to keep it active. My sense that for me it is the beef grease that does it, but that is speculation. The fact that I have eaten portions of roast beef without a problem supports that assumption. This is for me alone, not advice to someone else having the issue.

Easiest pathways into our bodies are direct ingestion and inhalation. Dermal exposure is generally slower to cause a problem. Wash your hands in gasoline... you know it's bad but we do it sometimes without noticeable effects.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

I recently spent a long time grinding the bevels in on two chef knives. This took two day’s and at the end of each day I developed hives all over my body. The type of steel is 440c stainless and from what I can gather it has a high nickel content. So my question is has anyone else experienced this? Is this nickel allergy common amongst knife makers? Also, does anyone know if s30v has any nickel in it. I looked and it seems it does not. Lastly anyone wanna buy them because I cannot work on these anymore of I’m allergic to them.

what did you grind in the shop before that? I became allergic to Cocobolo wood and it went from red eyes to hives and my chest tightening like I was having heart trouble/attack... I had to pay two men to clean every inch of my shop. Just cause we haven’t ground that material that day, there is still some in the air & kicked up from us working..

I did not tape the seams of my cloths but I have used the same style belts for a while. Maybe overtime my tolerance for that material went down? Also, I don't think I was sweating but its certainly not impossible.

We always sweat a little no matter the temp...Remember that We’re mostly water!
I went to an allergist and none of the allergens they test for were positive. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have allergies!Cocobolo is from S America.. Go see your doctor and explain all of this with pics of the rash if you can? Don’t mess around!

 

[Dallas T]

I will look around but the only real change to my garage was the introduction of the 440c steel. i have made an an appointment and am going to get this whole thing figured out. Is it possible due to a poor seal on my respirator or faulty filters that I inhaled some metal dust and thats how the hives spread all over my body? Or would that be a blood stream thing not respiratory?

I think inhaling then reacting would be more systemic than localized. As in shortness of breath, upper airway narrowing etc but no MD

 

[AustinS1234]

what did you grind in the shop before that? I became allergic to Cocobolo wood and it went from red eyes to hives and my chest tightening like I was having heart trouble/attack... I had to pay two men to clean every inch of my shop. Just cause we haven’t ground that material that day, there is still some in the air & kicked up from us working..


We always sweat a little no matter the temp...Remember that We’re mostly water!
I went to an allergist and none of the allergens they test for were positive. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have allergies!Cocobolo is from S America.. Go see your doctor and explain all of this with pics of the rash if you can? Don’t mess around!

I ground canvas micarta o1 tool steel and s30v in my garage before that. This was the day before my first reaction and I had micrta dust all over me with no reaction.