I’m a physician and occasional woodworker, and don’t use a dust mask as often as I should. Those of you with “wood dust nose” might (like me) benefit from something I tell patients with sinus trouble and reflux esophagitis to try, namely nasal irrigation. It,s easy, safe, cheap and very effective. Search with your browser under the term “neti pot”. If this technique works for things prescriptions haven’t helped, I’d appreciate hearing details. Thanks…
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As a physician, it sounds like you're a potentially great resource here on Knots. For example, I'm curious just how far you've diagnosed you own problem...In other words, do you suspect it is just simple, physical (particle) irritation of the mucous membranes...or do you suspect a chemical involvement, either as a primary irritant or as a potential allergic sensitizer? If so, have you tried any patch tests yet?
Can you post instructions for home repair of partial amputations? Please? I'm running out of digits to practice on. <laugh>
Chad, maybe you should drop woodworking and stick to screwing up elections. :O)
Jon,
I haven't heard an election joke in a while. That one made me laugh out loud. :) It's nice to meet you.
Having a doctor around will be nice. I vote anybody asking for advice mail $1 to ssittler's liability insurance fund. I'll write a check now so it's ready next time I cut off a finger. It can be hard to write while staunching blood flow. <grin>
Chad
PS. by the way, I have all my fingers. and most of them work.But honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.
Chad, I sincerely hope you didn't think I was making fun of your name, did you?
...I just figured the chances were better than 50-50 you were another Liberal...We sure do have more of those than we need around this place. :O)
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...And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Chad...(On the odd chance you might be a fellow conservative, that is.)
Edited 8/19/2003 10:05:37 PM ET by Jon Arno
Come on, Jon. God loves the liberals, too. Who would we have to argue with if it weren't for them?
>>"Come on, Jon. God loves the liberals, too. Who would we have to argue with if it weren't for them?"<<
Yes, I'd go along with that, Creekwood. But to illude to a favorite but vulgar old Midwestern expression; They should come in pairs.
Jon,
That's my real name. And I really did laugh out loud. And I am definitely not liberal. At the risk of turning a joke serious (I hate it when that happens) most people would consider me conservative but I don't exactly agree.
But honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.
Welcome ssittler,
Nice to have a doctor around.
Is my technique of snorting water in and out at the sink or in the shower ok or not? Not kidding!.
Its amazing how painfull acid reflux or reflux esophagitis can be. Put me in the ER and hospital about a month ago. Nothing like the last time I had it, about 4 years ago. Unrelated to woodworking dust, I guess, stomach driven.
Getting old!
Enjoy, Roy
I think that there is no substitute for a proper fitting and well constructed dusk mask that should be worn at all times when one is exposed to wood dust. As I am certain you know, micron size particles can easily lodge in the lung and escape capture in the nose and sinuses. As wood dust has been labelled carcinogenic, I think the less exposure the better, including the nasal passages.
Getting serious here, I do something very similar to the Dr's advice to combat a multi-drug resistant sinus infection that has triggered nasty asthma:
1. While one can use a "netti pot" to dribble saline solution into your nose, I prefer to use a pressurized system like (a) For the powertool folks (none of those here, right?), a water pic with the proper attachment for sinus rinsing; and (b) for the handtool users (also, none of those here?), a bulb syringe, a rubber blub with a tapered cone delivery system used for cleaning baby's ears. I use a bulb syringe for pressure because I really like pressure washers, and what removes gunk from the sidewalk should remove gunk from my sinuses!
2. I make up my own wash solution: My ENT's and the Asthma forum agree pretty much on the formula: One quart of water (I boil it first), 3 heaping tablespoons of pickling or kosher salt (NOT TABLE SALT WITH IODINE AND ANTICAKING AGENTS), and 3/4 to 1 level tablespoon of baking soda (as a buffer). People will also put some betadine in the solution but it tastes seriously bad!
3. (The gross part!) To clean the sinuses, I squeeze out air from the bulb syringe and suck up solution until the bulb is full. Then, I lean over the sink (or in the tub) and shoot the stuff up my nose in pulses aiming up and a little back, parallel with the nose ridge. I repeat on the other nostril until I've gotten each one twice - about one pint. I then blow out the remainder and lean way over turning each way slowly to drain stuff (stuff - don't ask!).
Some negatives: Later in the day, I sometimes find my sinuses suddenly dripping out a pretty good stream when I bend over. That's a good sign that I have some open area in your sinuses, but do people look at me funny! And, DON'T DRIP SALTWATER ON YOUR CAST IRON!!
Also, I take in more than a bit of salt water by post nasal drip and, as much as I hawk out and spit, I get a pretty significant dose of sodium. Someone with blood pressure problems would have to be careful!
How do I know all of this? No, I'm not an ENT - I've had five years of chronic resistant sinus infection that caused severe asthma and lead to ER visits in the wee hours of the morning and hospitalizations. All caused by sinus infection caused by ??
I've been a wood butcher all of my life (and now I'm trying to become a wood worker) and I've used masks and, later, dust collection, but I've also had years of sinus problems, congestion, runny nose, and wood dust. Remember, last year, IARC (one of those useless government agencies) declared wood dust a human carcinogen, an honor only a handfull of nasties have received.
Doc, I'm an old sawdust maker who didn't use a mask while cutting/sanding wood for years.
Once, years ago, I had a splitting headache that bothered me for days. It felt like what I thought a migrain headache would feel like.
One day feeling a stuffed up sensation in my nose, I 'snuffed' up really hard to clear my nostrills. Lo and behold, I caught and spat up two grape sized balls of sawdust which had been impacted in my sinouses for ??how long??
I learned my lesson then and use dust masks every time I enter my shop. Stein.
OH, needless to say, No more splitting headaches.
Are those called polyps? Thank you. Stein.
Edited 8/20/2003 2:11:54 PM ET by steinmetz
Several years ago, at my first job, I had the less than fun task of belt sanding a couple large panels made of barnwood. Specifically from the bottom of a hay loft. After half a day of breathing hayseed and whatever else I gave up and went home. At home in the shower I blew about 4lbs.(approximate guess) of black mucus out of my nose. It was not pleasant.I am not a liberal.
See, Ssittler? I warned you right up front, that if you hang around this board with a scarce expertise like yours, you can kiss your income generating practice good bye. :O)
I thought maybe it was just me,But I've had bloody noses for years. I wen't to the Doctors and even after they did what seemed like a bazillion tests he gave me a free sample of saline salution and told me that I was to use that from now on along with tissues with Aloe in them. I guess everythings ok ,I still get the bloody noses and still use the tissues I also use a good quality resperator so life goes on. Except now even with the use of cushioned pads my legs,back,knees and shoulders hurt like mad. Could it be that with age I just maybe falling apart??????????? I sure hope not, I'm not that old Geesh,
Sincerely, Jim C
Plese be careful with sawdust. I am a Pulmonologist. Since 1985 I have seen 9 lung cancers in non-smokers. 5 were in wood workers. Collect the dust at the tool, wear a mask when doing crazyily dusty things and most importantly, have a clean supply of air blowing past your workspace.
Frank
Use a dust mask always.
The Neti Pot pictured below is actually a pretty good solution for any dust that does get in your sinuses. But there is a cheaper and better way. Just use a regular old water bottle with the pop-up top. You lean over the sink with you head turned sideways. Place the water nozzle against your top nostril and squirt half the bottle of saline solution slowly into your nose. It will circulate through your sinuses and come out the opposite (lower) nostril, flushing out any dust. Then turn your head to the other side and put the bottle up to the other nostril and do the same thing with the remaining solution. This will gently flush out both of your nostrils. Then slowly and gently blow your nose until it is dry.
I used to have problems with hay fever allergies, but using this method, I've been able to stop my trips to the doctor and am prescription drug free. The drugs didn't work as well as cleaning out my sinuses does. Takes just a minute or two at night as I'm getting ready for bed. About as much time as brushing my teeth. I make a homemade saline solution out of table salt and warm water.
I use this method after working in my basement shop and feeling a little itchy in the nose, even when I've worn a dust mast.
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You know that you are irrigating your nose properly when you feel that familiar "water up the nose" feeling. It doesn't sting though like when you were a kid learning how to swim, because the water is actually a saline solution, and you warm it up to roughly body temperature.
Edited 8/21/2003 4:04:31 PM ET by DanRuff
Exactly right!
I've used the Alkalol Nasal Douche Cup for years either with the Alkalol solution or highly diluted Listerine mouthwash (with a pinch of salt).
It works wonders.
Outside of the Steve Sheffer debacle and learning about NK drawers, this is by far the most interesting thread I have read on this forum since the changeover. :)
I am curious enough about this procedure that I plan on giving it a go tonight. Maybe I will wait until the in-laws arrive so they can watch me. They already think that I'm not square with the world.
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