Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

adrien

>The risk to your health from a more severe allergic response isn't worth it. Subsequent episodes may be increasingly severe and your sensitivity may also increase. Give the cocobolo to someone else�who isn't YET allergic to the stuff.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Mike Schwing from Md.

>I posted just this morning about the same exact symptoms with red cedar, but mine took a day or two to present. I also cannot turn most all rosewoods, as well as makore. For me, its not worth it. Once I determine I'm allergic to a wood species, thats it as far as I'm concerned. Allergies can turn from mild annoyances to real health emergencies with no warning.

Addl'y, the bark from some trees makes me sneeze and cough when it is turned away, even when the wood does not. Ash for example does that to me.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

ruth So. Cal

>Why bother, there are other woods....

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

n2wood

>Well Barry I guess that I'll have to be the guy to take that nasty wood off of your hands :-O

Anything for a fellow turner

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Barry Turner

>I've only got one 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" piece about a foot long! Maybe I'll get a Tyvek suit and a good dust mask and turn it all in one session! Thanks for the kind offer.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Dick Hines

>I have heard it said "there are only kinds of people where cocoblla is conserned, The ones allergic to it and the ones WHO will be allergic to it."

So far I have not run acropss any wood that I am allergic to. I do use a dust mask when turning cocobola though just in case I am one of the latter people.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Tom Colligan, Peoria

>Barry, what did the physician do for you? Thx.,

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Don Henthorn

>He told him he is alergic to cocobola, what else?(-:

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Barry Turner

>An injection (not sure what it was) and a prescription for Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropianoate Cream USP 1%.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Barry Turner

>Actually, he asked if it was the first time I had worked with it? I told him no. He asked if this was the first time I had a reaction? I told him no, I got a rash the other times, too!

THEN, he told me I was allergic and suggested I stay away from it. Duu...uuuuuh!

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

John K Jordan

>>I've only got one 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" piece

>about a foot long!

Yikes! I've got pieces up nearly 40" long, 3"-5" thick, and 5"-10" wide. And a huge stack of smaller pieces. Some chunks are so heavy I can barely lift them by myself.

I've imagined beautiful bowls or hollow forms or exotic rolling pins, but so far I've only turned small pieces thinking I'd save the big chunks for when I finally felt bold or conceited enough to think I could avoid a crime against nature.

After reading some of this I wonder if I should just feed them to the woodstove next winter or use the slabs for steps into the chicken house. Or as blocks to keep nice cherry and maple logs off the ground.

It is nice to know there may be a few kind souls around willing to take these away some day when I break out all over in a rash or succumb to respiratory failure.

JKJ in East TN

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Barry Turner

>A veritable treasure trove! That stuff would yield some beautiful bowls! Perish any thoughts of feeding the woodstove........or using it as a moisture barrier for lesser woods.

What would I do? Tyvek suit, dust collection, a good dust mask or SCUBA, turn it in cooler weather.........maybe keep an EPI Pen handy. Make sure someone is around to check on you while you work, just in case you should develop a severe allergic reaction.

It would be such a waste not to use it. You might even want to use the larger pieces first..........before you develop a real allergy turning pens and winestoppers........like another turner who will remain nameless.............

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

adrien

>Barry, I think you are foolish to go to all this trouble to work on something that may put you in the hospital with a more severe, systemic reaction.

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

n2wood

>Yea Barry me too I'll trade you a piece of poplar twice as big ;-)

Re: Allergic Reaction to Cocobolo

Bill in Ga

>as a retired doctor I would advise you not to turn anymore cocobolo or related wood. Once you have proved allergic to it repeated exposures generally cause increasing reactions including anaphylaxis which can result in death!