Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles, leaving
them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the rest
of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust is
that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such a
problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
- Bernie.
Bernie Ross asks:
>Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
>My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles, leaving
>them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the rest
>of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust is
>that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such a
>problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
>been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
>should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
>spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
>since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
>this has been going on for four months.
You probably need to check with an allergist, but skin reactions to woods are
not at all uncommon. First, woodworking dries the hands out badly anyway, so
you could be starting from that point. Second, you might have sensitized
yourself with your "white spirit" so that light allergies to other substances
are no longer light.
Have you tried wearing gloves? Some of these new gloves are pretty good at
allowing you to retain your grip...I've got a pair from McFeely's that are
really good. Failing that, the very thin nitrile (not latex) gloves might be
helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even oak
can create allergic reactions in some people.
Check out: http://www.city-net.com/albertfp/toxic.htm
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~woodlink/dust.htm
Charlie Self
I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
In article <[email protected]>, KYHighlander
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Man red oak eats my skin up, I take a shower when leaving the shop. I also
> have to take a damp cloth and wipe the inner edge of my eyelids or it feels
> like I got sawdust in my eyes all night.
Red oak doen't bother me, but cocobolo will trigger a histamine
reaction PDFQ. It came on suddenly about the third time I worked with
it.
Allergic reactions can occur with repeated exposure... You can get
stung by a wasp 100 times, and the 101st can kill you.
djb
--
Is it time to change my sig line yet?
>
> helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even oak
> can create allergic reactions in some people.
>
I've been working with red oak lately, and it's pretty irritating to
my eyes, nose and lungs; western red cedar is a real killer for me.
While any slivers in my fingers are irritating, I haven't had the skin
rash you describe though. The advise to try gloves seems like a good
idea. We buy the latex gloves by the 100's, and I use them when
finishing (my wife uses them to pull weeds in the garden!). Some
people are allergic to latex. My respirator is latex, and I WILL get
a red rash on my face if I wear it very long while sweating. Hands
are OK though ...
Good luck,
Scott
In addition to Charlie's thoughts I find that in the winter months I experience
the same thing and use a couple of different hand creams to keep my hands from
cracking. The solvent you used is very good at removing the protective oily layer
next to the skin leaving it prone to dry out. Cheers, JG
Charlie Self wrote:
> Bernie Ross asks:
>
> >Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> >
> >My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles, leaving
> >them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the rest
> >of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust is
> >that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such a
> >problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
> >been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> >should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> >spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
> >since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> >this has been going on for four months.
>
> You probably need to check with an allergist, but skin reactions to woods are
> not at all uncommon. First, woodworking dries the hands out badly anyway, so
> you could be starting from that point. Second, you might have sensitized
> yourself with your "white spirit" so that light allergies to other substances
> are no longer light.
>
> Have you tried wearing gloves? Some of these new gloves are pretty good at
> allowing you to retain your grip...I've got a pair from McFeely's that are
> really good. Failing that, the very thin nitrile (not latex) gloves might be
> helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even oak
> can create allergic reactions in some people.
>
> Check out: http://www.city-net.com/albertfp/toxic.htm
> http://home.vicnet.net.au/~woodlink/dust.htm
>
> Charlie Self
> I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get elected.
>
> http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
Trees have been pumping out chemicals to foil or kill their enemies for
millions of years. They would be more available with freshly crushed
fibers, like sawdust, and can cause a reaction without warning even in those
previously used to a free ride. Contact dermatitis would be the least of the
reactions.
That said, it's winter, things are dry, I know I'm prone to dry skin around
the knuckles, and organic solvents certainly won't help moisturize. Rub
some oil into your hands after abusing them - olive is good, and see if it
doesn't pass.
"Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:yqY%[email protected]...
> Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
> My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
leaving
> them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
rest
> of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
is
> that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such
a
> problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
> been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
> since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
>
> - Bernie.
>
>
Charlie Self wrote:
<snip>
> Have you tried wearing gloves? Some of these new gloves are pretty good at
> allowing you to retain your grip...I've got a pair from McFeely's that are
> really good. Failing that, the very thin nitrile (not latex) gloves might be
> helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even oak
> can create allergic reactions in some people.
A skin barrier cream might also work.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)
Yes there is but it may simply be a matter of dry skin. Woodworking tends to
dry the hands of their natural oils.
Before you get too involved with trying to make something that may be simple
too complicated, borrow some of you wife's/girl friend/mistress/ which
ever's skin lotion and try that for a week or so.
--
Mike G.
[email protected]
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net
"Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:yqY%[email protected]...
> Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
> My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
leaving
> them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
rest
> of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
is
> that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such
a
> problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
> been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
> since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
>
> - Bernie.
>
>
I get what sounds like the exact same condition but I always blamed
the type of hand soap that I use, at least in part. I have the
problem no matter what type of wood I use. Since I'm frequently
taking care of my 8 and 5 year old kids while I'm working I have
to wash my hands a lot. I switched from Dawn hand and dish soap
to Palmolive and the condition improved a lot. I think the Dawn
is a better grease cutter so it probably was also sucking more
of the natural oils out of my hands than the less effective
Palmolive does. It still flares up though so I also use a good
hand cream. That helps too.
Bruce
Redding, Ca.
"Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<yqY%[email protected]>...
> Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
> My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles, leaving
> them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the rest
> of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust is
> that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such a
> problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
> been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
> since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
>
> - Bernie.
My wife uses Jim's Crack Cream and some Cow Utter Balm for that. You'd be
surprised how good it works.
--
http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
"BeerBoy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:pM40c.621427$JQ1.291364@pd7tw1no...
> I get dry skin on my knuckles so bad that it cracks and bleeds. It's
> especially bad in the winter. The only thing I find that helps is "Burt's
> Bees Hand Salve". I get it from Lee Valley, but I've seen it in health
> stores too. It is really greasy though so I only use it at night.
>
>
> "searcher1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I get the exact same condition. I use Suave hand creme and it has
> stopped.
> > It started for me after I had been doing some sanding (I do alot of
that)
> > but try that it will help
> >
> > Rich
> >
> > "George" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > Trees have been pumping out chemicals to foil or kill their enemies
for
> > > millions of years. They would be more available with freshly crushed
> > > fibers, like sawdust, and can cause a reaction without warning even in
> > those
> > > previously used to a free ride. Contact dermatitis would be the least
of
> > the
> > > reactions.
> > >
> > > That said, it's winter, things are dry, I know I'm prone to dry skin
> > around
> > > the knuckles, and organic solvents certainly won't help moisturize.
Rub
> > > some oil into your hands after abusing them - olive is good, and see
if
> it
> > > doesn't pass.
> > >
> > > "Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:yqY%[email protected]...
> > > > Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> > > >
> > > > My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
> > > leaving
> > > > them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that
the
> > > rest
> > > > of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is
> sawdust
> > > is
> > > > that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had
> > such
> > > a
> > > > problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
> > I've
> > > > been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood.
> I
> > > > should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with
> > white
> > > > spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
> > spirit
> > > > since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem,
> and
> > > > this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
> > > >
> > > > - Bernie.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Man red oak eats my skin up, I take a shower when leaving the shop. I also
have to take a damp cloth and wipe the inner edge of my eyelids or it feels
like I got sawdust in my eyes all night.
KY
--
http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bernie Ross asks:
>
> >Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> >
> >My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
leaving
> >them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
rest
> >of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
is
> >that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such
a
> >problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
I've
> >been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> >should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> >spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
spirit
> >since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> >this has been going on for four months.
>
> You probably need to check with an allergist, but skin reactions to woods
are
> not at all uncommon. First, woodworking dries the hands out badly anyway,
so
> you could be starting from that point. Second, you might have sensitized
> yourself with your "white spirit" so that light allergies to other
substances
> are no longer light.
>
> Have you tried wearing gloves? Some of these new gloves are pretty good at
> allowing you to retain your grip...I've got a pair from McFeely's that are
> really good. Failing that, the very thin nitrile (not latex) gloves might
be
> helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even
oak
> can create allergic reactions in some people.
>
> Check out: http://www.city-net.com/albertfp/toxic.htm
> http://home.vicnet.net.au/~woodlink/dust.htm
>
> Charlie Self
> I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get
elected.
>
> http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
Yes there is allergys to wood or at least he oils in it. I gave a friend
some walnut for a project a few months ago. His son helped him carry it in
the house and within a few minutes his son's arms had broken out in a rash.
Since my friends shop is in the basement I got the walnut boards back, he
didn't want dust from that floating anywhere in the house. As mentioned by
others it's likely the teak.
Rick
--
webservant
Web design for churches http://www.gibs-web.ca
Wycliffe Bible Translators Caribbean http://www.wycliffecaribbean.org
Journaling / mental health http://www.pipcom.com/~jpeacock/
Bothwell Baptist Church http://www.forministry.com/CAONBCOOQBBC1
"Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:yqY%[email protected]...
> Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
> My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
leaving
> them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
rest
> of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
is
> that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such
a
> problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
> been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
> since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
>
> - Bernie.
>
>
I get the exact same condition. I use Suave hand creme and it has stopped.
It started for me after I had been doing some sanding (I do alot of that)
but try that it will help
Rich
"George" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Trees have been pumping out chemicals to foil or kill their enemies for
> millions of years. They would be more available with freshly crushed
> fibers, like sawdust, and can cause a reaction without warning even in
those
> previously used to a free ride. Contact dermatitis would be the least of
the
> reactions.
>
> That said, it's winter, things are dry, I know I'm prone to dry skin
around
> the knuckles, and organic solvents certainly won't help moisturize. Rub
> some oil into your hands after abusing them - olive is good, and see if it
> doesn't pass.
>
> "Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:yqY%[email protected]...
> > Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> >
> > My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
> leaving
> > them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
> rest
> > of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
> is
> > that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had
such
> a
> > problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
I've
> > been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> > should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with
white
> > spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
spirit
> > since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> > this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
> >
> > - Bernie.
> >
> >
>
>
Not quite the same, but I know walnut and Oak "Kills" My sininues.(sp?)
Had a girlfriend once, We used my shop's Shop Vac on the ft. porch carpet,
Shop vac had a lot of walnut and Oak dust in it, And she broke out like
crazy the next day, puffy eyes, skin rash,etc.
Tony D.
"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bernie Ross asks:
>
> >Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> >
> >My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
leaving
> >them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
rest
> >of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
is
> >that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such
a
> >problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
I've
> >been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> >should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
> >spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
spirit
> >since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> >this has been going on for four months.
>
> You probably need to check with an allergist, but skin reactions to woods
are
> not at all uncommon. First, woodworking dries the hands out badly anyway,
so
> you could be starting from that point. Second, you might have sensitized
> yourself with your "white spirit" so that light allergies to other
substances
> are no longer light.
>
> Have you tried wearing gloves? Some of these new gloves are pretty good at
> allowing you to retain your grip...I've got a pair from McFeely's that are
> really good. Failing that, the very thin nitrile (not latex) gloves might
be
> helpful. Teak is probably your source of trouble instead of oak, but even
oak
> can create allergic reactions in some people.
>
> Check out: http://www.city-net.com/albertfp/toxic.htm
> http://home.vicnet.net.au/~woodlink/dust.htm
>
> Charlie Self
> I don't approve of political jokes. I've seen too many of them get
elected.
>
> http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/myhomepage/business.html
> Bernie Ross asks:
>
> >Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
When my lilaws moved we had to clean out the garage which had alot of
sawdust. My sister-in-law had a nasty skin reaction. Turned out that
it was from sawdust mites. Looked like a ton of tiny pin pricks or
chigger bites.
As a result of this i now put a chunk of flea collar inside my dust
collection bags. This will prevent the problem
Dusty
"Women should be obscene and not heard." Groucho Marx
Oh crap!!!! 101 times??? I think I'll stay indoors for the rest of my life!
<G>
--
"Cartoons don't have any deep meaning.
They're just stupid drawings that give you a cheap laugh."
Homer Simpson
Jerry© The Phoneman®
"Dave Balderstone" <dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca> wrote in message
news:280220041859114266%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_S.balderstone.ca...
> In article <[email protected]>, KYHighlander
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Man red oak eats my skin up, I take a shower when leaving the shop. I
also
> > have to take a damp cloth and wipe the inner edge of my eyelids or it
feels
> > like I got sawdust in my eyes all night.
>
> Red oak doen't bother me, but cocobolo will trigger a histamine
> reaction PDFQ. It came on suddenly about the third time I worked with
> it.
>
> Allergic reactions can occur with repeated exposure... You can get
> stung by a wasp 100 times, and the 101st can kill you.
>
> djb
>
> --
> Is it time to change my sig line yet?
On Sat, 28 Feb 2004 08:36:46 GMT, "Bernie Ross"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
>
>My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles, leaving
>them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the rest
>of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust is
>that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had such a
>problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork. I've
>been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
>should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with white
>spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white spirit
>since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
>this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
>
>- Bernie.
Yes! You may be allergic to a specific wood. Buy a box of
disposable latex gloves. Rub a dab of Vaseline petroleum jelly (or
Eucerine) on your hands soon after showering. I did this per
recommendation of a doctor, and my skin has never become chapped. I
also wear gloves often. I don't know your age, but the older you get,
the drier the skin. You may want to change to Dove soap (I use the
unscented Dove).
KYHighlander wrote:
> My wife uses Jim's Crack Cream and some Cow Utter Balm for that. You'd be
> surprised how good it works.
Wow, I can get a cream for my crack? Cool. :)
(Actually, my crack has been cracked since high school. Situps on a hard
floor. I cracked my crack, and the damn thing has never healed right in
all these years.)
(TMI, yeah, yeah, well, you started it.)
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
I get dry skin on my knuckles so bad that it cracks and bleeds. It's
especially bad in the winter. The only thing I find that helps is "Burt's
Bees Hand Salve". I get it from Lee Valley, but I've seen it in health
stores too. It is really greasy though so I only use it at night.
"searcher1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I get the exact same condition. I use Suave hand creme and it has
stopped.
> It started for me after I had been doing some sanding (I do alot of that)
> but try that it will help
>
> Rich
>
> "George" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Trees have been pumping out chemicals to foil or kill their enemies for
> > millions of years. They would be more available with freshly crushed
> > fibers, like sawdust, and can cause a reaction without warning even in
> those
> > previously used to a free ride. Contact dermatitis would be the least of
> the
> > reactions.
> >
> > That said, it's winter, things are dry, I know I'm prone to dry skin
> around
> > the knuckles, and organic solvents certainly won't help moisturize. Rub
> > some oil into your hands after abusing them - olive is good, and see if
it
> > doesn't pass.
> >
> > "Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:yqY%[email protected]...
> > > Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> > >
> > > My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
> > leaving
> > > them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
> > rest
> > > of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is
sawdust
> > is
> > > that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had
> such
> > a
> > > problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
> I've
> > > been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood.
I
> > > should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with
> white
> > > spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
> spirit
> > > since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem,
and
> > > this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
> > >
> > > - Bernie.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Not only the dry air but lack of sunshine is also bad on the skin. A lot of
Dermatologists recommend tanning beds in moderation for Psoriasis (sp)
--
http://users.adelphia.net/~kyhighland
"George" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Trees have been pumping out chemicals to foil or kill their enemies for
> millions of years. They would be more available with freshly crushed
> fibers, like sawdust, and can cause a reaction without warning even in
those
> previously used to a free ride. Contact dermatitis would be the least of
the
> reactions.
>
> That said, it's winter, things are dry, I know I'm prone to dry skin
around
> the knuckles, and organic solvents certainly won't help moisturize. Rub
> some oil into your hands after abusing them - olive is good, and see if it
> doesn't pass.
>
> "Bernie Ross" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:yqY%[email protected]...
> > Is there such a thing as an allergy to sawdust, affecting the skin?
> >
> > My problem has been a sudden attack of very dry skin on my knuckles,
> leaving
> > them cracked, red and extremely sore. This despite the fact that the
> rest
> > of my skin is fine, not dry at all. The reason I suspect it is sawdust
> is
> > that it seems to get worse when I'm in my workshed. I've never had
such
> a
> > problem before, and its onset coincided with my taking up woodwork.
I've
> > been working with oak, some teak (very oily), and a little softwood. I
> > should also say that it began when I was doing something nasty with
white
> > spirit and got some on my hands. However, I haven't touched white
spirit
> > since - and my exposure to dust seems to bring on the skin problem, and
> > this has been going on for four months. Any clues?
> >
> > - Bernie.
> >
> >
>
>