Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Dermatitis On Finger
Tom Colligan, Peoria
>Has anyone ever developed dermatitis on their fingers and you believed it might have been the result of turning?
I have had some on one finger and a prescription of Betamethasone ointment clears it up in 10 days but returns 4 or 5 days later. I can't keep going on like this as this is a cortisone steriod (I believe).
Any recommendations, like wearing the very thin disposable latex gloves? Tia, Tom.
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
John K Jordan
>I've known people (including myself) who have had reactions in the sensitive skin between the fingers.
Did you try rubbing something like petroleum jelly into your skin before exposure? I've read that it can help shield the skin and pores from exposure to certain substances.
JKJ in East TN
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
John Lucas
>Tom
I don't have any problems with wood but I wear the gloves to use any finishes. Lacquer especially causes my hands to crack.
Gloves
Fred in NC
>I guess I am not the only one !
For years I worked with all kind of chemicals in the printing industry. Most guys had reaction problems, not to mention cracked and stained fingers.
It is a matter of getting used to wearing gloves when necessary. It just takes a little getting used to wearing them.
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
adrien
>It is rather unusual for a contact dermatitis to affect only a PART of the surfaces that contact the allergen. You say only one finger is affected. Yet I am sure you touch the wood(s) with other parts of your hands as well. So I wonder if the allergen is the wood????
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
David
>I wondered about the "one finger" thing as well, but I can envision a situation where during sanding you check for smoothness while the lathe is spinning or press the sandpaper into the wood primarily with an index finger - could this be partially "burn" related??
BTW, I wear gloves for finishing period. Nasty chemicals are not something I want absorbing into me through the skin, aside from the cracking, etc. Too many carcinogens out there.
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
Tom Colligan, Peoria
>Thanks to each of you. I've only been turning maple and hornbeam and the dermatitis is on my right hand which is at the rear of the tool handle. I haven't been sanding much either so I'm beginning to rule out that it's coming from turning at the lathe afterall. I have some other things that I should now consider since not too many turners seem to develope dermatitis on their fingers. Thanks again, Tom.
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
John K Jordan
>>the dermatitis is on my right hand which
>is at the rear of the tool handle.
Far out: a reaction to the wood or finish of the tool handle?
Terrible thought: did you shake hands with any lawyers or politicians or IRS agents lately? Those things can be nasty.
JKJ in East TN
Re: Dermatitis On Finger
Barry Turner
>Actually there are better things to use than petroleum jelly. Look for something called "Ivy Block" or something like that at the drugstore. It's used as a protective barrier against poison ivy and poison oak. It just might work for you. A good pair of leather gloves might, too.
