Epoxy resin allergy

Hi Penny,

I built a canoe a few years ago using epoxy resin.
It's nasty stuff - I still have a dry patch on my arm where wet epoxy made contact. I know some people work with epoxy without gloves or protective clothing - not recommended.

I'm sorry to say that a full-blown reaction is more than simple contact dermatitis. It's serious, and may mean he will not be able to work with epoxy again.

Samual Devlin puts it well -
Quote:
"The strongest advice I can give you is to keep epoxy off your skin. Prolonged contact with the resin and hardener can cause an allergic reaction -sensitization-in some people. Once sensitized, the slightest contact with the resin and hardener, their fumes, or even sanding dust from epoxy that hasn't fully cured can bring on a reaction."
Devlins Boat Building by Samual Delvin, Pub McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-157990-7.

I hope this post is helpful.

David:)

thanks David. He realises that his boat-building days are over for sure!
Will probably go for teaching English as a foreign language as that's a good way to ee the world and make good contacts. But was sad to leave South Africa as the people were lvely, apparently.

Will go with the Aloe and see what happens, it usually works like magic on most things.

Hi there

While I have no experience of dealing with epoxy resin allergy, I have suffered from allergies most of my life which have finally diminished to virtually nothing much to my relief.

In general terms Patrick Holford suggests boosting omega-3 (fish oil) intake while reducng meat and dairy intake, which helps reduce inflammation; herbal remedies can include Boswellia, and curcumin from turmeric and ginger; anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals A, C, E, selenium and zinc (I'd take extra vit C - 3000mg - and zinc up to 50mg daily while trying to get the reaction down, but remain on 1/3rd of these thereafter); the amino acid methionine 500mg with 400mg calcium twice daily will help reduce histamine levels as does 500mg of vitamin B5. I'd also up the intake of fresh veg and fruit, and perhaps avoid wheat too, as if it causes underlying problems this will make things worse. He will have to listen to his body to learn what upsets his system and avoid it! Reducing sugar and concentrating on wholefoods will help too.

I would expect to get all the above from a good health-food shop - and they should help. Let us know how things go.

All the best

Hi there

While I have no experience of dealing with epoxy resin allergy, I have suffered from allergies most of my life which have finally diminished to virtually nothing much to my relief.

Hi Caroline,

The problem with epoxy is that it is really toxic. By the time an allergic reaction starts the damage is long-done.

I look at it this way. If a tiny bit of wet epoxy on my arm can leave a dry patch after four years, what are the fumes doing to the liver and kidneys of someone who works with it all the time?

David:)

You can fix allergies (and intolerance) with amazing results through health kinesiology - an hk therapist will also be able to give you a tapping sequence to correct an allergic reaction when it happens. Check out hk4health.co.UK that tells you more about it.