Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 31, 2007 02:58am | #1

   I haven't personally experienced it, but Grevillea is well known as a cause of allergic reactions. The allergen is chemically similar to the one in poison ivy and its relatives.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   billwig | Dec 31, 2007 03:03am | #2

   hmmm...the plot thickens.   the rash isn't as itchy as poisin ivy, thank goodness, but looks similar.  still puzzled by the puffy eyes.

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 31, 2007 03:05am | #3

   The puffy eyes probably comes from the fact that you cut the wood, releasing some of the volatile oils into the air.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 31, 2007 03:11am | #4

   Could be you're resting your face on your arms at night?  Who knows.  You need to seek treatment, methinks. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   billwig | Dec 31, 2007 03:51am | #5

   Thanks, arboreallass.  That's a sensible guess about the arms touching the face, but it's not the case.  good advice about seeking treatment---cortisone cream for the arms first.

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 31, 2007 07:13am | #6

   The reason I encourage treatment is because whatever it is you are allergic to, the next time you encounter it your reaction is likely to be worse than this time.  The body is unpredictable about how it will react to an allergen, and at some point may call out all the immune forces it can muster, leading to breathing problems.  I've seen this happen to a couple of friends, where they were exposed to an irritant which had before been merely an inconvenience, and suddenly they were in an ambulance being rushed to the hospital, nearly unable to breathe. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   billwig | Dec 31, 2007 07:31am | #7

   thanks.  point taken.

3. 
   ctsjr | Jan 01, 2008 04:17am | #8

   I had the same kind of reaction earlier this year to lacewood. It was pretty bad--just like poison ivy. I went on prednisone for three weeks to clear it up. Now I just stay away from lacewood. I also will not let sawdust sit on my arms for hours mixed with sweat. And I'm about to pull the trigger on a dust collector. Good luck with it--hope it clears up. Tom

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
4. 
   webted | Feb 17, 2008 08:48am | #9

   Hi Billwig:

   Silky Oak (which some folks refer to as lacewood) is notorious for sensitizing people. Take forestgirls advice - life is too short to fiddle around with sensitizing agents. It's VERY unlikely to get better, and more likely to get worse. Plenty of other fish to fry, and someone should give you a fair price to take it off your hands.

   -t

1. 
   billwig | Feb 19, 2008 01:41am | #10

   Thanks.  I've offered it to the local woodworkers club.