Breathing mold (long)

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Sean Troy

>Have the Doctor order a Sputum(spelling?) test to see what type of bacteria may have developed if any. Some of the molds that cause bacterial infections can only be treated with specific anti-biotics. Best of luck, Sean

BTDT

TDaniel

>I have had a very severe infection as you describe. My doctor tried several anti-biotics but none helped. My fever lasted 5 weeks. There were other potential contributing factors in my case so I cannot say that the spalted wood was the cause. I now wear a protective mask or air hood when turning spalted wood and I try to turn it during warm weather when I can have all the doors and windows open. An asthma inhaler helped me a lot and after a few months I was able to stop using it.

Good Luck, and let us know how it goes.

TD

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Andrew Hilton

>The only person qualified to diagnose or offer much assistance with your problem is your doctor (or at least one that is actually treating you for this condition). Wait for your doctor to get back to you or, after a day or so, try again. If that doesn't help, contact another doctor.

Please, please, please, post a message when you find something out about this. I'm extremely interested in this. I've researched this very topic (medical conditions due to spalted wood) extensively for several years now.

Every single online posting in the past 2 years that I've read with someone asking the same questions as yours or postings making a link to their conditions (of various types) to spalted woods has turned up very different results from what their doctors are saying. The connection just hasn't been there. YET. There ARE medical conditions to some fungus exposure (farmers lung, etc.) however.

That's not to say that there *isn't* a connection to some conditions but every single one of them that I've followed up on has revealed none when you get down to the doctors responsible for actually saying so. I've not investigated more than a few dozen incidents so far though.

When in doubt, use respiratory protection! I hope you get over your problem soon. Give your doctor a chance.

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia

>You need to see a specialist ASAP. Some lung infections from mold spoors can be extremely serious; even life threatening. Since the problem is probably not caused by bacteria it most likely will not respond to antibiotics.

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Philip Duffy

>Sounds all too familiar! Last year it was pneumonia, this year bronchitis. Persistent and unrelenting cough. Several doc's later- - and he has me on an asmatha routine that seems to be the correct answer. The cough to be about gone and the full face mask is on order. I am convinced that those of us who turn are all to cavalier about our indestructibility, just like we 'ole aviators. Protection is preferred to treatment in my book, and alot cheaper!

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotic treatments (for bacterial infections)as fungi are a whole different kingdom of organisms. There are a lot fewer antifungal drugs available, but there are some out there. You won't see these prescribed as a matter of course.

The better news is that fungi that grow in wood very rarely cause infections in otherwise healthy humans. They require things like cellulose to grow and even woodworkers don't supply enough under normal circumstances. We are fortunate in that there are relatively few fungi that can infect us.(Throw in an immune compromised situation and the picture changes a bit.) Fungi do, however, sometimes cause allergic reactions and inflammation in the airways. These reactions can range from mild to quite severe. This inflammation can lead to heavy congestion like you describe, which can in turn develop into bacterial secondary infections.

Dust protection from any wood is an inportant part of safe woodworking. Spalted wood adds an extra layer of allergen hazard.

Robert

also consider alum oxide

-e-

>a member on the former aaw mail-list posted his diagnosis after bronchial illness for sometime. he had aluminum oxide particles in the tissues of his lungs, either from sandpaper or grinding wheels.

wonder what my lungs looks like? i'm still coughing from the Calif. fires.

Re: Good Response!!

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>I was told by a an excellent ENT that the symtoms are that of an allergic reaction to the fungus spores (I have an established allergy to "tree leaf mold"), that there is no data to establish fungal infection of humans (or other mammals) by wood fungi, and that the approved treatment is removal of the allergen and prophylactic medication for URI's resulting from the inflamation in severe cases.

I said, "But I gotta be able to turn spalted wood! Its too beautiful." He said have a good air cleaner and mask, and understand that, unless you turn in a Moonsuit, your clothes, hair, skin, etc. will be loaded with the spores after you leave the shop, and you will spread them around the house in addition to your shop being contaminated on every surface from now on.

I said "Thanks a lot."

He said, "Feel better, and don't forget to pay on your way out."

Mark

-2=mail

Fungi and Allergies

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>Most of the fungus that you get on yourself when turning spalted wood actually is not spore material. When growing in wood the fungus looks a lot like fine threads, most are white and virtually invisible to the naked eye. The ones that make spalted wood interesting secrete pigments, mostly during the growth phase. Spores are only formed when it goes into it's reproductive phase. The hyphae (the thread-like structures) often carry similar antigens to the spores and can cause the same sorts of allergic reactions. Often corticosteroids are used to treat the allergic response/ inflammation when people are exposed to high levels of fungal material.

I wear a Triton mask when I turn and often will run the shop vac over my clothes before I leave to shop to minimize the amount of stuff that gets tracked up into the house.

More than you ever wanted to know about fungi.

Robert

Re: Fungi and Allergies -Terms

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>I guess the MD was using terms that I, non-biologist, could understand; "spores" I get, on "hyphea" you're gonna lose me. But the explanation gives the same result for health reasons.

I use a Resp-O-Rator and the DC running in vac mode.

Thanks

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Ron Warman

>My MD is internal medicine and he had not heard of spalting. He refered me to an allergist who found me allergic to mold. Only mold, nothing else. Nothing has changed in my life except I turned some spalted maple without protection a couple of weeks before. X-rays of my head and chest were negative so he prescribed a nose spray for me to use for 6 months and "see me if it dosent help".

I dont know if spalting is a mold but it seems strange I have this problem after turning the maple if it isnt.

Ron

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Andrew Hilton

>The fungi that produce spalting (also called White Rot) is not the same beast as mold or mildew. However, the growing conditions/environment for both are very close so when you have one, you're likely to have the other.

Spalting is just one type of wood coloration too. Each type has it's own causes, effects, and mechanisms of transmission.

It's probably no coincidence that your symptoms came after turning decaying wood. What is was that actually caused your problem isn't as easy as saying it was the spalting though. BUT, only your doctor and testing will be able to say ... maybe not even then, unfortunately.

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Keith Clark, MD, PhD

>As an Otolaryngologist (ENT) who treats many patients with nasal and sinus problems in Oklahoma, I can tell you that some fungi do, without a doubt, have the propensity to grow in the nose and sinuses causing infection and allergic reactions that are very difficult to eradicate even with surgery. There is also a well known association between a particular sinus cancer and inhalation of wood dust! Furthermore some woods such as Moradillo (I call it Brazilian Devilwood!) can cause severe poison ivy like allergic reactions. Imagine the damage caused by that stuff in your nose, sinuses and lungs! The lesson #1 - wear resiratory and skin protection during turning and lesson #2 - if you have nose and sinus symptoms after turning, see a physician who treats nasal and sinus problems such as an Otolaryngologist.

Re: Breathing mold (long)

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>Some fungi can do this. They don't tend to be wood rotting types that cause spalting in wood.

Robert (Ph.D., Mycology)

Hey Doc, can I turn perfect bowls after the operat

David Galloway

>Hey Doc, Can I turn perfect bowls after this sinus operation for fungus?

I dont'see why not.

Good, I couldn't before hand.

Sure

Robert Simmons, Atlanta

>And you'll play the cello again, too.