Symptoms of Blackwood allergy?

[Nanohedron]

And not to be a pedant, but while it's popular practice to call it Blackwood allergy, it's actually not an allergy at all: it's contact dermatitis, which is a sensitization matter. One can become sensitized to cedar, for example. Understandably, this sort of thing is a big health hazard for luthiers, where at its worst shop dust alone from some woods - usually exotic - can cause anaphylactic shock. The savvy don't wear filtration masks for no reason.

[Steve Bliven]

The savvy don't wear filtration masks for no reason.

I'm befuddled by the double negative....

Best wishes.

Steve

[carrie]

Sensitization it is, then. Noted!

Translation of double negative: we don’t wear a mask without a reason. Actually pretty clear.

[Moof]

Once sensitized, you're sensitized for good

Same with latex allergy. A former GP advised me that that, once sensitised, there's a tiny chance of suddenly reacting with anaphylaxis instead of sore skin.

She said the vast majority with contact allergies never will, but it's life threatening for those that do, specially as it comes out of the blue. She advised me to look up the symptoms, because if I had the rough luck to be one of those rare cases, I might find it useful to recognise it. (She was an Aussie expat, typical mastery of understatement. )

[Nanohedron]

The savvy don't wear filtration masks for no reason.

I'm befuddled by the double negative....

Translation of double negative: we don’t wear a mask without a reason. Actually pretty clear.

That's what I get for trying to be homespun.

[Loren]

And not to be a pedant, but while it's popular practice to call it Blackwood allergy, it's actually not an allergy at all: it's contact dermatitis, which is a sensitization matter.

No, it’s an allergy: The reaction is caused by a compound in the wood, an allergen, thus the resulting contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction. Physiologically, the process causing the symptoms is an allergic reaction. Sensitization over time is simply a common aspect of allergies in many people - happens all the time with food. And wood. Also things like insect stings.

That said, you are correct that it’s not actually a Blackwood allergy per se, but rather an allergy to one or more compounds contained in the wood. The article I read on these compounds theorized that certain trees evolved having these compounds to ward off insects and other pests that would otherwise attack the tree. Unfortunately I can’t remember the scientific names of the specific compounds, but an internet search would turn up documenting articles should one be particularly interested.

[Steve Bliven]

That's what I get for trying to be homespun.

"Homespun" for a sophisticated audience like this???

Best wishes.

Steve

[carrie]

"Homespun" for a sophisticated audience like this???

[Nanohedron]

And not to be a pedant, but while it's popular practice to call it Blackwood allergy, it's actually not an allergy at all: it's contact dermatitis, which is a sensitization matter.

No, it’s an allergy: The reaction is caused by a compound in the wood, an allergen, thus the resulting contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction. Physiologically, the process causing the symptoms is an allergic reaction. Sensitization over time is simply a common aspect of allergies in many people - happens all the time with food. And wood. Also things like insect stings.

That said, you are correct that it’s not actually a Blackwood allergy per se, but rather an allergy to one or more compounds contained in the wood. The article I read on these compounds theorized that certain trees evolved having these compounds to ward off insects and other pests that would otherwise attack the tree. Unfortunately I can’t remember the scientific names of the specific compounds, but an internet search would turn up documenting articles should one be particularly interested.

All right, then! I am free to call it allergy once more, without a qualm. I'm pretty sure I got the "not-an-allergy" thing here among the fluters, though; there's nowhere else I would have encountered the topic. In any case, I am the furthest thing from an expert, but that doesn't qualify me to spread misinformation. Consider me schooled. Carrie, everyone: My deepest apologies. You shall hear no more such nonsense out of me. Can't vouch for the rest of my nonsense, though.

[Moof]

The issue might have been confused by terminology, Nanohedron, as an allergy is a hypersensitivity.

If the reaction's immune-mediated, triggered by a specific substance, occurs quickly, and is reproducible at every encounter, it's usually recognised as a true allergy regardless of whether the symptoms are mildly annoying or deadly.

The usual confusion is between food allergy and food intolerance, which aren't the same. Food intolerance is the inability to digest some proteins, sugars, etc, and the reaction doesn't involve the immune system.

I wish I wasn't quite so bloody familiar with the subject!

[carrie]

Love and miss this community! Nanohedron, deepest apologies accepted. Allergy it is then!

For whatever it may be worth, I don't think my doctor's recommendation to switch to tacrolimus ointment after two weeks of hydrocotisone was best for me. A healing trend seemed to take a turn for the worse when I made the switch. YMMV, as folks like to say.

And speaking if what folks like to say, for anyone (like me) who is tired of the expression "It is what it is," imagine it with contractions to take the edge off: "It's what it's."

[Nanohedron]

... for anyone (like me) who is tired of the expression "It is what it is," imagine it with contractions to take the edge off: "It's what it's."

I've heard a couple of others say they're tired of it too. I know one fellow who uses the phrase when it fits (as do I, but not overmuch, I promise), generally in response to social inequities, and next time he does, I'll follow with "It's what it's." He's the sort to like it.

I do like the hackneyed phrase, but mainly for the reason that it's a more positive expression than "It can't be helped" or the like. Resignation lite, you could say. Assessment minus that sinking feeling.

[gbyrne]

Your symptoms and progression are entirely typical for this allergy.

[carrie]

Your symptoms and progression are entirely typical for this allergy.

Thank you for the feedback!

[chas]

Several years ago I occasionally got something akin to small areas of poison ivy on my lower lip, which would last for a couple of days to a couple of weeks at a time. That turned out to be from a cocobolo whistle that I was playing. Fortunately I haven't had it from any other rosewoods, and I much prefer playing boxwood instruments.