Comments on: Wood Allergies and Toxicity

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:07:21 +0000

Bess, while I can’t 100% personally guarantee that any wood species is completely non-toxic, if I had to pick one that I thought would be most harmless for your test, I’d go with Basswood.

By: Bess

Bess — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:43:44 +0000

I am conducting a toxicity test on Albizzia. Is there such as thing as a “non-toxic” wood that I could use as a control?

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:24:25 +0000

Amy,

There is a lot of data for skin-patch tests of various wood species on the Botanical Dermatology Database website:

http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/

You can do a search for “Pinaceae” to show a listing of most softwoods.

Otherwise, I’ve definitely heard of many instances where people (myself included) will have a reaction to a certain wood species when it is breathed in, but it doesn’t seem to do much when it is simply touched. Though, to be honest, there was no formal patch testing, just anecdotal evidence.

By: Amy Willis

Amy Willis — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:49:29 +0000

Ok, I got one for you, I have been to two allergist now and they dont know what it is. Back in 07′ I worked at a lumberstore sawing doors, door jams,There was not a ventalation system there. It was in a werehouse where we kept all the woods and even woods for stair wells. I was there for maybe a couple months, but I was there for a week when I felt like I was getting sick. I would come home from work with a itchy throat and my voice would be harsh and I would feel like my throat wes swollen and that I had flem in it and could not clear my thoat. So I went to see a doctor thinking I was sick, well he told me that I would most likly have to change jobs because he felt strongly that I was allergic to the saw dust. Soon after that I went to the first allergist and got skin tested. I had no recation to it as far as a rash or anything but I started to lose my voice, get that flem feeling and my throat would feel like it swells. the doctor sent me away (did nothing) recently I was taken to the hospital for an recation this time it was much worser, not only did all the useual happen but this time my neck swelled as well. It seems to only happen when i breath in any saw dust from any woods that are being cute or are rare exposed woods. But my skin does not react. I went to a different allergiest and he is more concerned I still had no skin reaction to the skin test, my chest dosent get tight persay, it seems to me it is all in my throat oh and my nose gets pluged. I have to carry benadrly with me at all times and now the new doctor wants me to carry an eppy pen. The new doctor also did a test with my blood and fould nothing. So I was wondering have you hared of anything like this or am I alone? Any info would help Thanks

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:54:54 +0000

Chris,

If your symptoms are lasting that long, then I would definitely try and see a doctor for professional advice.

From everything I’ve read, simply the best thing to do is prevent exposure in the first place. I would either try to use a different type of softwood species, or else wear a full complement of protective gear, from head to toe. You might look a little goofy to your classmates wearing all kinds of protective gear, but I think it’s the best way to prevent reactions from occurring if you have to work with Spruce.

By: Chris Gagnon

Chris Gagnon — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:00:30 +0000

I am currently enrolled in a carpentry class at a local college, there are 3 weeks left in the course and we began working with Spruce for a small staircase as it turns out I break out with puffy eyes and red blistery patches on both arms, the puffiness goes away after about 4-6 days. and it seems to come back the day after exposure.
Everything I have read regarding Spruce says a reaction is rare but I seem to have all the symptoms, Do you know of any medication I can take to help releave the puffuness and the itching Benedril does not work for me!

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:31:38 +0000

Thanks Eric, that makes it unanimous so far. Trying to use a little deductive reasoning, I had the same conclusion as did one of the guys down at the local woodworking store. Picked up another length of 4″ hose to get the dust collector to the lathe and a decent dust mask!

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:24:05 +0000

Dana,

Skin irritation is probably the most common allergic reaction, with just about every kind of wood being capable of causing a reaction. If I had to guess, I’d say the top three suspects would be Yucatan Rosewood, Osage Orange, and Purpleheart.

Yucatan Rosewood is supposed to be less allergenic than other rosewoods, but it’s still a true Dalbergia rosewood, so I would suspect that wood first.

Also, even though I’ve never read any reports of toxicity about Bocote, I still don’t trust the stuff, and would include that as another likely suspect.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:30:58 +0000

I woke up this morning with a reaction I believe to be from turning bottle stoppers yesterday.Red irritated skin on face & neck, swollen puffy eyes. Problem is, I used six different woods. Osage orange, Bocote, Yucatan rosewood,Black palm,Curly pigyama? and a self made laminent of leopard wood,maple & Purple hart. Any Ideas on which is likely the cause? Had this reaction once before, but didn’t put together with wood as the cause so I don’t remember what I was using the first time.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:41:08 +0000

If there weren’t any immediate allergic reactions, then I wouldn’t worry about it. As long as it was just a one time exposure, and he isn’t noticing any health effects, then he should be fine.