Allergy question ...
 

Hi,

Over the last year I have been getting severe eye swelling every few weeks. My eyelid swells so much my eye is closed for a few hours then it takes about 48 hours to go back to normal.
Doctors are saying it is an allergy. Now since this only seems to happen a day or two after I am in the shop, I have to assume it is something I am using there.
Anyone ever have an issue with eye swelling and if so did you ever figure out the cause?

Thanks!

RE: Allergy question ...
 

CA glue is very hard on the eyes, try using a gentle fan to move the air while applying the glue.

I Bought a table saw from a guy years ago, he was a carpenter that had to quit because he developed a allergy to the saw dust. It can happen

RE: Allergy question ...
 

It's likely CA glue. It affects the sinus for a number of us.
Choices: Stop using the regular CA and start using the "Foam safe" CA. (It cost more but this works for many people with the probem.) (Combine this with e next step if you can.)
Next choice, really ventilate the room and use more Titebond or Elmer's wood glue. Use the Foam safe to tack-glue and the Elmer's to make the permanent glue joint.

Next choice is to stop building. Typically if it's caused by CA glue, the symptoms will get worse with time.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Allergies usually hit quicker than a "day or two" after being exposed. On the other hand, it sometimes takes year to develop an allergy to something. My wife had a very severe allergic reaction to a medication that she had been taking for almost three years. Four trips to the emergency room in three days.

You can be allergic to some of the craziest things. I had a cousin that was allergic to hismother, to the point an Aunt raised him from the time he was an infant to the time he went into the Navy..

A trip to a good Allergist would be in order. They can test to see what you are allergic to. They can better answer your question that we can here on RCU.

Don

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Been to an allergist and two dermatologists. Aready had an initial patch test. I am just trying to narrow down the possibilities from someone who might have experience the same thing.
Type II allergy takes a day or two before noticeable reactions.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

CA Glue, or if you use a lot of Epoxy, it could be from that.

Makes me feel like I have the flu and really hurts my eyes as you mentioned.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

^ +1 on the EPOXY

RE: Allergy question ...
 

[8D]Another choice: Purchase a mask which will filter out the fumes. While wearing the mask, you may look like Darth Vader, but the mask works.
I use it for every aircraft building project. Check out Sears, Lowes, etc.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

The mask sounds like a pretty reasonable and inexpensive possible solution. I'll give it a try on my next build.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Jerry, I don't think they make a mask that will block the CA fumes. They are good for most everything else though. I saw a face shield with an air pump that provided fresh filtered air behind the shield. The local industrail hardware supply that had them went of of business,and now that I wan't, I've not ran across another, at least at a reasonable price.

JFranco, you might try taking an over the counter Benidryl after being in the shop and see if that gaves any relief. Iwould suggest before, but they make me a bit drowsy. Has the Dr's come up with anything other than "it's an allergery" yet?

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Benadryl, Claritin, etc does not help, I have tried. Dr. said that with type II allergies those medications they rarely do anything. I have a topical medication to put on to help the swelling. I have been tested for 20 'common' types of allergies, with a slight positive on what they call "Carba mix". This does include Adhesives. The specialist I am going to will be testing for over a 100, so hopefully they can narrow it down more. I can also include my own, which is why I am asking. At this point I am going to ask them to test for CA, Epoxy, extruded foam and nitro.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

The mask will filter the fumes that you would normally breath directly into your lungs. I've used one for years. They work.
What the mask doesn't do, of course, is to prevent fumes from irritating your eyes. That's where good room ventilation and/or
a fan to draw the fumes away from your eyes will help considerably.

To further clarify, the type of face mask that filters dust, etc. is not the type that I use. The type that I use is equipped with
two "canisters" that will filter chemical fumes, including CA fumes.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

get rid of the C A

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Have worked ERs and seen allergic reactions including severe asthmatic ones to CA and epoxy fumes.

I most use Elmers. Few times I need epoxy or CA, I go on the back porch and turn on the ceiling fan.

Gotta respect those fumes.

Tom

BTW: type II allergies are prostaglandin, not histamine, mediated. All I have found that works are steroids and epinephrine injection if they are severe.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: JFranco
"Over the last year I have been getting severe eye swelling every few weeks. My eyelid swells so much my eye is closed for a few hours then it takes about 48 hours to go back to normal.
Doctors are saying it is an allergy. Now since this only seems to happen a day or two after I am in the shop, I have to assume it is something I am using there.
Anyone ever have an issue with eye swelling and if so did you ever figure out the cause?"



Ouch, sounds like you are getting allergic to RC planes.... that's a bummer..

Look around your workshop, especially behind/below cabinets etc - things standing against outer facing walls - look for mould growth on the walls /back of cabinets. (escpecially when the floor is lower than outside -some dampness can gather).

I had that problem. I have kitchen cabinets and work tops in my workshop which goes all the way against the wall - mould growth heaven. I've cut ventilation holes and fitted grills for air to circulate. Also repainted the shop with a good quality paint andproblemwas solved.

Also be careful to store things like benzine, thinners, methylated spirits, turpentine, especially CA and MEKP catalyst for glassfibre resin in the shop. Storeit separate in a safe, ventilated area.Even if the bottles are closed, they do give off some vapour.

Balsa dust (fibres)from sanding is another culprit. Try to sand balsa outside or in a very well ventilated area, wear a mask. Don't sweep it up, vacuum it as the residu dust can whirl up laterandyou breath it in.

As we get older, one tends to become more sensitive to sometimes really simple things.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

I get a CA reaction but it has never bothered my eyes, I start getting stuffy like I have a cold and can't breath through my nose. First time it happened I also discovered there wasn't enough moisture in my house and every time I opened up the wood burning stove the problem got worse. It wasn't just the CA. The answer for me was more ventilation in my shop and a big humidifier in the house. I still use CA but at the first sign of a problem I quit working with it for a few days. Doors and windows are always opened.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

It's probably the catalyst in the epoxy. Generally, anything that's catalyzed like epoxy or polyurethane or anything with the "Thane" in the name is the catalyst that's the culprit.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

I, too, am sensitive to CA. Over the years, I have done a bit of research in a vain attempt to solve the problem. Other than follow the advice given above, namely avoid CA, use Foam-safe CA, use Aliphatic glues, etc., not much hope of by-passing the effects of the CA. I did discover that the reaction to CA IS NOT classified as an allergy, but an irritation, much like whiffing ammonia fumes, not that that changes the situation, but it may explain why allergy testing may not isolate the cause.

RE: Allergy question ...
 

Using CA sometimes causes a swellingof my retna in my right eye. My left eye is fine. I work with an eye doctor who has checked me out many timesas well as being sent for a second opinion.. I took some CA in with me forreference,Both came to conclusion that it's the CA that's causing it. It will take 2 to 4 days after using before my eye starts hurting. Swelling of the eye does NOT feel good! I use CA very limited now and have not had any pain so far. Like said have plenty of air movement in your work space. I also noticed that the Thin CA effects me worse than the medium or thick..
Go see an eye Dr and take the CA with you.