Allergic to Lampworking???!

ShinySnail · October 18, 2010, 03:39:43 PM

Not really sure where to post this question!

I have had my shedio set up for 3 months now, and for the last two months I have been getting tiny painful bumps on my hands. I'm sure it must be something to do with the lampworking materials - does anybody suffer with anything similar??

Gonna go to the docs later in the week, but I'm trying to suss out exactly what isn't agreeing with me.
I tried fusing and after cutting the glass my hands felt a bit aggravated - like after you touch fibreglass. I'm wondering if it's glass particles doing it? The trouble is I have been touching all sorts of new things lately as well as the glass, all the tools, brass foil, copper mesh etc

poledra1958 · October 18, 2010, 03:46:17 PM

If it is like touching fibreglass are you using Fibreblanket or poping straight into a kiln. If fibreblanket you might like to try the bubbles or the other stuff you get from garden centers that I can never remember the name off.

Jenny

awrylemming · October 18, 2010, 03:56:33 PM

Vermiculite? I used it for a while, but had more breakages than with the fibre blanket. I bought mine from beadysams and haven't had problems with that one, but I have had problems with bead release, when cleaning beads and such, so have taken to wearing gloves. Is it tiny red, itchy bumps? Could be that

Steampunkglass · October 18, 2010, 04:13:22 PM

Quote from: poledra1958 on October 18, 2010, 03:46:17 PM
If it is like touching fibreglass are you using Fibreblanket or poping straight into a kiln. If fibreblanket you might like to try the bubbles or the other stuff you get from garden centers that I can never remember the name off.

Jenny

Thats what I wondered too

, do you handle the fibre when you pop the beads under it? I used to use a pair big tweezers to lift it up, but baraque tongs would do just as well

ShinySnail · October 18, 2010, 04:16:56 PM

hmmm well I already use the bubbles - the bumps aren't itchy either just painful...

Perhaps it is the bead release - i'll give the gloves a go and see how it works out!

That sounds like a better option than going to the doctors and being told to stop lampworking

haha I went to the doctors a couple of years ago with high blood pressure and dizzy spells. He told me that somebody my age (25) shouldn't be getting regular excercise if they work a full time job! Crazy talk, I'd been doing 3 gym classes a week for 3 years up until that point! I have no faith in the medical profession

Look at me on a tangent, thanks for the help!

AnnaSpanna · October 18, 2010, 08:02:54 PM

have you tried taking some piriton or something similar and seeing if that helps the symptoms? If it does then you could prob get some more controlled antihistamines from the doc and at least he can't say that would have to stop beading as there isn't a cure for it!

awrylemming · October 18, 2010, 08:18:22 PM

I'd still go to the doctors tho' - it might not even be related to glassmaking. Worth getting checked out, even if your GP isn't the best.

LittleHen · October 18, 2010, 08:28:06 PM

Are you sure it's not just the cold? My hands go horrid after September when it starts to go cold, I have to keep warm and plenty of moisturising cream.
Hope it's not the lampworking.
Jessie

beadysam · October 18, 2010, 09:05:43 PM

It could be something the glass has been washed in. I use wasing up liquid and then thoroughly rinse, but other people use other products. Unwashed glass can have glass dust on it. Many manufacturers bundle up the required weight, then cut it for packing. The glassy water from the saw tracks up the rods and can scratch the glass quite badly, if there is residue this could be irritating you. However, I would suspect the bead release more than anything else.

Rikki · October 18, 2010, 09:29:30 PM

I occasionally have something very similar-tiny little lumps, almost like blisters? They come and go, usually in colder weather if I think about it. Have never managed to tie it down to anything in particular. Be interested to hear if you find the cause (but not if it's lampworking!!!)

ShinySnail · October 21, 2010, 11:13:33 AM

Hmmm I suppose there are so many different things it could be. I have cleaned all of my glass (with gloves on!) and have decided to avoid contact with the bead release unless i'm wearing gloves too and see how that goes.

Had to cancel the doctors appointment, the blinkin things have dissappeared now! haha
They were like blisters, and when they go down the skin flakes off leaving tiny little 'blister rings'
yuk!