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Hi guys and gals! Got a question for you that may be slightly sign related!
Just wondering if any of you have developed allergies to products you've used alot over the years, or more specifically, contact dermititis?
I have developed the most bizarre allergy in the last year, and it is soooo frustrating! I have been breaking out in a nasty blistering rash on my face. It is so itchy I have to take prednisone to get rid of it. It has happened about 5 times in the last year.
We finally figured out it happens whenever I am working on a project that has cement compounds, like mortar and grouting tile. Recently I was renovating my moms bathroom and had a severe reaction just from crackfilling the drywall. (not installing drywall, just filling nailholes and cracks and then sanding it) It seems if I touch any of these products and then touch my face, or get the airborne dust on my face, 24 to 48 hours later I break out in blisters. All I did yesterday was install a dropped ceiling in that bathroom, and today I'm starting to break out. The only drywall I touched was the top of the unfinished drywall while screwing in the track.
My doctor says its contact dermatitis, that with each exposure it will get worse. I've been doing some research and I suspect chromium which is an additive in many cement products and primer and rust proofing paints. He says it usually happens to people that have been exposed to nasty paints, chemicals or mortar products and that you can be exposed to it for years without a reaction. Then all of a sudden your body develops an intolerance and your white blood cells attack each time you are exposed, causing the blisters.
I know it may not sound like a big deal to some, but those that know me well know that I LOVE renovating, tiling and stonework. It is something I am good at, and I take pride in my accomplishments. My hubby and I bought a new lot in town and were planning on building in the spring. I had visions of doing all the stone work myself, and all the interior finishing. I am constantly thinking about what I'm going to tackle next, and I'm just not sure what I will do to replace a hobby that is such a big part of my life.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know to please, please be careful in your shops. ALWAYS wear your mask, gloves, etc! (I guess pulling your shirt up over your nose, or holding your breath doesn't quite cut it!)
Take care, Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I empathize with you, Suelynn. I developed a reaction to Black Locust seed pod dust. I have a couple of the trees next door and in the fall, a couple of years ago mulched up the leaves along there with my graden tractor. Did it four times in one week. Then in a few days, I started losing the ability to breathe! Seriously. My ticker went into arythmia and I ended up for 11 days in the heart unit. They even told me to get my affairs in order. Tons of medicine, various treatments, rebooted my ticker a couple of times and serious monitoring for months, but I finally passed the stuff through my gizzard or whatever. I lost 50 pounds and had to watch my diet like a hawk. Only cost me $15k in non insurance covered bills. Back to normal, now, but you have to be careful if your body is telling you something. Turns out that if horses eat Black Locust seed pods, they also get arrythmia and can die. Guess I must be part horse.
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
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I cant stand working with a mask, goggles, or gloves. I'd rather work the way I want and if the time comes when I develop an allergy or something, then Ill give that material up. I dont even like to wear a ring. So far I guess I've been lucky because nothing has got to me yet. I do try to limit my contact with the stronger solvents, do the spraying in another room, etc.
-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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I have found that a good cream fi an waterbased carbamidcream applyed prior to work helps. It will fill the pores of the skin and prevent the nasty stuff to harm
-------------------- Stein Saether GullSkilt AS Trondheim Posts: 1183 | From: Trondheim Norway | Registered: Nov 1998
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