Carl, Speaking as a retired medical man (whose specialty incidentally didn't
have a lot to do with immunology)I would be extremely cautious about
'solving' your allergy problem with antihistamines. They will certainly
control many of the symptoms and make you feel better at the time but are
not going to stop the allergy getting worse with repeat exposure. There is
the danger that you may be encouraged to soldier on, with multiple exposures
to the sensitising agent and develop a severe allergic reaction which can be
life threatening. The only safe approach if you have developed a real
allergic response is to rigorously avoid any contact with that substance
again, but by all means have some antihistamines available to deal with
things if you accidentally get in contact with it. David Joyce 402
----- Original Message -----
From: Carl Pattinson <carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Epoxy allergy
> One possible solution to Epoxy allergies is to take antihistamine
> medication, usually sold as hayfever cure. Triludan (now withdrawn) for
> example. However my symptoms were very similar to hayfever/ flu though it
> included headaches caused by comngestion (my mucous membranes used to
swell
> up).
>
> The other important factor is the concentration of the epoxy fumes/
vapour.
> Provided the work area was well ventilated I rarely suffered more than the
> mildest of symptoms (in my case Redux was the worst).
>
> The most severe symptoms occurred when the workshop was closed as in the
> winter. I used masks and protective clothing but under these conditions to
> no avail.
>
> The antihistamines definitely reduced the severity of the symptoms.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Carl Pattinson
> G-LABS
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <DJA727@aol.com>
> Subject: Epoxy allergy
>
>
> > I wrote to the group a while ago regarding headaches after working on
the
> > airplane. I have now verified that it is the epoxy that is the problem.
I
> did
> > this through periods of time without doing certain jobs. There is a
direct
> > correlation there. Unfortunately, I thought that it was just doing the
> active
> > lay-ups of resin and glass, but I am now concluding (at 430AM with
another
> > headache) that it also seems to be caused by exposure to the dust from
> > grinding the material (now both fiberglass and carbon fiber). I have
gone
> as
> > far as to order a "hobby air" ventilation system and have used it for
the
> > last few days. It pumps in fresh air when working on the project -- to a
> full
> > face mask. I thought I had found a solution but, to my dismay, I sit
here
> > with another headache. I have been rigging the wings and have been doing
> > filing of the skin to get a proper fit. I haven't worn the mask all the
> time
> > -- only during active grinding. I must conclude that the exposure
includes
> > dust from grinding and is either breathed or absorbed through the
skin --
> > even in the dust state. My next idea is to wear a tyvek full suit and
wear
> > the pumped in air mask full time anytime the fiberglass is touched. I
> think I
> > also need to do a better job of vacuuming the dust from the floor and
> > probably mop up after each grinding. I had been crawling around under
the
> > airplane where there is obvious residue from the grinding operation.
This
> > gets it on my clothes and carries along with me all day.
> >
> > I have to get through this to see it to the end. unfortunately, I have
the
> > finish work yet to go on the flight controls, which entails much sanding
> and
> > exposure to the epoxy. If I had this reaction early on in the project, I
> > probably would have quit. These sleepless nights with headaches are
> getting a
> > bit old. The good news is that I have been able to work on the airplane
> for a
> > 2 week stretch and have not had headaches ( due to no epoxy work - both
> > sanding and lay-ups), so once the airplane is done, I will not be flying
> > across the country with one hand on the stick and the other with a
bottle
> of
> > aspirin!!
> >
> > If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears.
> >
> > One idea that pops up is to contract out the finish work on the
controls.
> I
> > could just work a little harder at working and make the money to leave
> that
> > to the professionals -- at least most of it.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Dave Anderson
> >
>
|