Not sure where to put this, but since it is the DIY forum, I figured, why not?
Never had this before, but I have started having dyshidrotic eczema last month. Since the only thing new in my life was the building of enclosures for my W8-1772, I guess I have started an allergy to plywood (or more probably the glue used in the lamination) dust.
It covered my hands and fingers. Not nice.
Has this happened to anyone else?
I may have to research into another material to make enclosures next time! 🙁
Never had this before, but I have started having dyshidrotic eczema last month. Since the only thing new in my life was the building of enclosures for my W8-1772, I guess I have started an allergy to plywood (or more probably the glue used in the lamination) dust.
It covered my hands and fingers. Not nice.
Has this happened to anyone else?
I may have to research into another material to make enclosures next time! 🙁
Sorry to hear that. I am allergic to a lot of things too. My recommendation: make foam core speakers 😀
If it bothers your hands you may want to consider respirator - certainly your lungs and throat are susceptible too.
If it bothers your hands you may want to consider respirator - certainly your lungs and throat are susceptible too.
never had issues with ply, MDF makes me itchy so I'm going to avoid using it wherever possible.
gloves taped over long sleeves is the way to go, you might have luck with barrier cream. respirator for sure!
gloves taped over long sleeves is the way to go, you might have luck with barrier cream. respirator for sure!
Thanks! I'm looking at those new 3M gloves that feel like a second skin.
and yes, a respirator is the way to go as well, but i sometimes forego, thinking it will be done quickly and it will be a bother...
and yes, a respirator is the way to go as well, but i sometimes forego, thinking it will be done quickly and it will be a bother...
Been there! I made quite a few surfboards already.
For that, the respirator is always on!
Epoxy.*
Plywood makes my hands itch, it's 'dust' is very sharp / hard - have looked at some under a good magnifying glass.
Its not impossible to have a reaction to the glue used for laminating ply.
Always wear a proper mask, paper ones are useless.
Gloves are a good idea, mechanics impregnated cloth gloves are thin and will last a good while.
*my hands itch just thinking about it.
Grease Monkey is a great brand of shop glove, that as the name implies is rather durable in respect of chemicals that might be in finishing products as well.
I think some species of trees are toxic to us humans, not that strange actually there are a lot of poisson plants...so it does not have to be (only) the glue in the plywood that irritates you. Good ventilation, mask and gloves, allready mentioned by others are all reasonable solutions to the problem or a helping friend who does not get as aggressive reaction as you do. Most importantly since your body is allready trying to tell you something, stop exposing yourself to the dust if your allergic reactions gets worse!
According to this almost all hardwoods are at least irritants:
Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database
I have been told by a carpenter friend of mine that it is essential to wear a respirator when working with oak.
Wood Allergies and Toxicity | The Wood Database
I have been told by a carpenter friend of mine that it is essential to wear a respirator when working with oak.
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One approach to help with this is to set up effective dust collection in your shop. I've never experienced allergies to wood products but my workspace includes two dust collectors (1200 CFM for tablesaw, planer, jointer, bandsaw and chopsaw and 650 CFM for drill press, thickness sander, and spindle sander) piped directly to all of the stationary machines as well as two strong shop vacuums for portable tool collection and cleanup. After finishing work each day I vacuum the shop including the small bit the collectors miss. It makes for a much more pleasant and healthy environment to work in.
Having my own workshop? I can only dream at the moment. My workshop is an open garage!
More precautions seems to be a very good advice. I will.
It's getting better as I have finished cutting and sanding for the most part... for this project anyway!
More precautions seems to be a very good advice. I will.
It's getting better as I have finished cutting and sanding for the most part... for this project anyway!
As a teen, I was exposed to the wood dust at my uncle's furniture workshop. Now when I did my woodwork for the apartment, I was feeling all healthy. The dust never had any ill effects on me. Looks like my system has learned to handle wood dust in the early ages.
Gajanana Phadte
Gajanana Phadte
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