WARNING! Alergic reaction to Morado (Pau ferro) wood!

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

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This wood is not suppose to be that bad but I finally found out where this rash on my arms comes from. It looks and feels like poison ivy and only went away with a cortisone cream prescribed by the Doc. This comes from the wood dust, either sanding or just cutting the wood. I don't have any on my hands even if they were covered in dust. Maybe the forearms are more sensible or it has to do with perspiration I don't know. And the reaction isn't immediate and also did not happen when I worked with it before. But this time exposure was for a prolonged period of time. I use a dust collection system and maybe this why but I haven't had any respiratory problems yet. But I read that it is a possibility and with the severity of the rash I hate to think what the respiratory problems would be like.

I am not using it anymore that's for sure. Too bad cause it was a nice dense wood that did not need stabilization and was cheap enough.

Guess it's God's way of telling me to start using nicer stabilized wood. ;)
 
Blood wood gives me the same poison ivory reaction.
The way I deal with it is 2 fold.
First wash hands before the shower.
Shower head to toe in that order 3X.
One time more for good luck.
Second,
Charge a extra fee to make it worthwhile.
The washing technique is the same as I learned how to decontaminate in the Navy. After your done washing your skin should be dried out.
 
powernoodle said:
Wood allergies link.

I learn all kinds of things on BF. I had never heard of a wood allergy, but I guess one can be allergic to almost anything.
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I found out years ago that wood allergies are quite common. I worked at construction for over 30 years. I had a cut man on my crew that was allergic to pine dust. I will tell that if you get a splinter from anything like oak or alot of other woods that have tanic acid in them it will be infected by the next day. And exotic woods have been commonly know for producing wood allergies as well as lung problems from breathing the dust!

Check out this site:
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-allergies-and-toxicity/
 
Patrice, I feel for you. The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago.
Now, whenever I work with any type of tropical wood, I get geared up like I'm going into Chernobyl.
I get into one of those disposable protective suits, like the ones designed for working with fiberglass insulation. (the ones with the attached hood)
Then, I put on gloves, and respirator. I then apply a product called "Ivy Block", which is supposed to shield your skin from the toxic oils.
After working with the accursed wood, I strip off all my bio-hazard gear and wash with dish detergent.
Finally, I wash with a product called "Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser". It's designed to remove the oils from Poison Ivy, Poison Oak,
and Poison Sumac.
It's a real pain to go through this whole procedure every time I work with tropical wood, but, getting a rash from that stuff is much worse.
The rash from those tropical woods is much worse than poison ivy.
Since "gearing up", I've never gotten a rash from it again.
Hope you feel better soon.
- Mitch
 
All knifemakers should have a methylprednisolone "dose pack" handy.
I ground some phenolic, brass and other things when I got my first 2 X72 grinder. That night I started itching on my thighs. By morning my throat was closing up, and it felt like someone had beat my palms and soles of my feet with a ball pein hammer. I was calling the CDC in Atlanta, and all they could tell me was to go to the ER. Called my doctor friend, and he called the dose pack in. Within 3 hours my symptoms were subsiding. I have never had another reaction, but keep the steroids just in case.
If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the ER fast.
 
Coco bolo is bad for me. I start wheezing and crying right as soon as I start to cut it. I don't use it any more. Frank
 
Cocobolo is one of my very favorite woods and while doing a handle on a straight blade last week my nose was still leaking 12 hours later
Ken.
 
Wood allergies are very common. For me it is actually Iron Wood. Coco Bolo is another really bad one. Even if you do not react right away, it could be several years before you have a violent reaction. The reason it affects the forearms more is you have more sweat glands there. When the dust get in there and you begin to perspire it the dust releases the chemicals and causes the reaction. A good respirator is a must. Be safe
 
I learned about wood allergies when I started making jewelery and have worn gloves, long sleeves, tight collar and a mask when sawing or sanding any exotic wood since then. Some of them are pretty nasty for such beautiful results. http://www.organicjewelry.com/woodhazards.html Sometimes if the wood handle is not sealed in some way (oil, varnish, wax, etc.) even a cut on the hand can be open to a reaction depending on the wood. Just about any wood can have an affect on the body depending on how much dust is produced and the method of entry into the body. I don't let it stop me from using the wood I want, I just take precautions for all of them.
 
Cocobolo, Madau, and Granadillo. The allergies for all three have progressed to the point of breathing issues and severe dermatitis.

Wood allergies really suck.
 
Mine is Ebony, I found a cheap large Block at the local Exotic Hardwood store and cut it into 20 Scales. It had been sitting for over a year, I recently started using it and found out that I start itching anywhere the dust touches. when hand sanding (No Respirator) my nose and Eyes start burning and running profusely! so I wear a medical mask and gloves when hand sanding the stuff!
 
Thanks for the info, links and concern. Much appreciated.
This is when all the hassle of putting in a good dust collection system is more than worth it.
Now I hope that stabilized wood won't be as bad. I know the resin is probably toxic so dust collector will be on and I'll wear the respirator but I would hate to have to wear gloves too. :(
 
I'm not allergic to any wood so far but Ipe wood bothers me. I don't like the smell and I cough even with a respirator. I can still work with it though.
 
raylaconico said:
I'm not allergic to any wood so far but Ipe wood bothers me. I don't like the smell and I cough even with a respirator. I can still work with it though.
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Hey, don't mess around with that stuff if it's giving you problems.
I heard a story about a contractor who was installing an Ipe deck, and had to be rushed to the ER for respiratory distress.
 
Ray, If the Ipe is bothering you even WITH the respirator you need either a new respirator or new cartridges. You should not smell anything through a properly matched respirator.
 
Frank Niro said:
Coco bolo is bad for me. I start wheezing and crying right as soon as I start to cut it. I don't use it any more. Frank
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Yeppers Cocobolo has an oil in the wood that will inflame your lungs if you don't have a mask on. Cocobolo will or can get ya allergies or not. There was one maker (I'll put in the name as soon as I remember it) But he got inflamed lungs, and almost bought the farm, but his DOG..(that hung around in his shop) got a bunch of the dust in his lungs, and he did'nt make it. Bolo looks very nice, but use some protection, skin-neck arms, ect, but make sure about a mask for the fine dust. Keep safe, and enjoy. edgy :thumbup:
 
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