Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey all:
I'll start with a question. Does anyone here use barrier cremes on their skin when working with wood?
I read all the stuff here in the last few months and applied a lot to the work I've done on my first guitar and thank you all for the information. I ignored the advise on keeping saw dust vaccumed while working and am now paying the price.
I had a few days off for Christmas and was putting it to good use with thickness sanding Walnut bindings and sanding some Zebrawood. I usually use a resperator with my drum sander, but went without for a day for some dumb reason. I have a stuffed head and poison ivy like breakout on my neck and on my hands.
Some allergy medicine seems to handle the irritations. I'm really getting into guitar building and the first one is turning out great (to my eyes). I'd hate to have to stop now. I'm thinking of building a down draft table.
Bill

First go lavage your sinuses http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nasal-lavage/MM00552. This is a great habit for any guitar maker to get into each day after work. It will prevent many problems.

Second, don't take any over the counter medications to alleviate the sinus problems associated with this.

Third, heed your own advice to use dust collection and personal protection for your lungs. A reasonable amount with the nasal lavage will keep you healthy.

Trust me.

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Ken

Bill my friend I think that you should be asking a doc about this - obviously you have encountered a sensitizer to you which as our friend Kim recently reminded us should be taken very seriously.

Get checked out and feel better.

After sanding back Z-Poxy yesterday morning, I ended up with an itchy rash on my face and neck. Nothing to bad, and it went away quickly after a shower, but I don't think I'll be using Z-Poxy anymore. It's a shame because it's such a great product.

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Rob

I had a similar problem and had to visit a doctor to get a prescrition for oral cortizone. I was feeling better in a few days. In any case, this can be a very serious issue and I have found that I need to avoid certain woods (oily woods like Bolivian Rosewood or Cocobolo), use dust collection whenever possible, wear longs sleeves, and wash dust from my skin frequently if I get exposed to lots of fine dust.

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Brad
Avon, OH

All the more reason to use good natural products like egg whites, shellac and pumice.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Had to go to the doctor and got some protosone. Hope that clears it up.
Bought gloves, a more comfortable resperator. Wait till things clear up then work wisely using precautions.
Ken I usually do my version of lavage. I usually just snort some salt water out of my palm untill i think everything is washed out.
Bill

Good to see you are doing OK. Snorting will work fine, I do it that way myself.

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Ken