Solvent/hand cleaner allergy?

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Wondering if anyone else has had problems with allergies to solvents and hand cleaners.  In the last few weeks I have had a strange, new rash appear at several places on my left hand that I figure is an exposure dermatitis, resulting from the aforementioned agents.  I'm particularly interested to learn of any successful treatments that have been used to treat this type of allergy.Thanks.
Reply:You might be experiencing either an allergic reaction or or secondary effects of having the oil removed from your skin. Either way way the most effective treatment is prevention. Use nitrile gloves. I never used gloves in my younger days. As I got a little older it really started chapping my skin. A few more years went by I noticed that older, dirtier the solvent was the more my skin on my wrist and arms itched and had a slight rash. This was much worse when I was doing aircraft work when I washing turbine engine oil off of parts. So it might be from what your washing off of your parts rather than the solvent.I'd try to get some moisture back in you skin with udder balm, corn huskers oil or your favorite product. If it's not better in a day or so see a doctor.
Reply:I second the prevention part.  A few months ago I replaced the radiator on my 65' J300 Jeep with a nice Aluminum one.  Since we have dogs I used the non-toxic antifreeze.  Got a little on my forearm as it sloshed.  Washed it off once I was all done.  Woke up the next day with a HUGE blister in that exact same spot.  Lasted for about 3 weeks too!

Since there have been times where Ive been drenched in anti-freeze I would never had thought of it!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
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Originally Posted by tresiYou might be experiencing either an allergic reaction or or secondary effects of having the oil removed from your skin. Either way way the most effective treatment is prevention. Use nitrile gloves. I never used gloves in my younger days. As I got a little older it really started chapping my skin. A few more years went by I noticed that older, dirtier the solvent was the more my skin on my wrist and arms itched and had a slight rash. This was much worse when I was doing aircraft work when I washing turbine engine oil off of parts. So it might be from what your washing off of your parts rather than the solvent.I'd try to get some moisture back in you skin with udder balm, corn huskers oil or your favorite product. If it's not better in a day or so see a doctor.
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Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretI second the prevention part.  A few months ago I replaced the radiator on my 65' J300 Jeep with a nice Aluminum one.  Since we have dogs I used the non-toxic antifreeze.  Got a little on my forearm as it sloshed.  Washed it off once I was all done.  Woke up the next day with a HUGE blister in that exact same spot.  Lasted for about 3 weeks too!

Since there have been times where Ive been drenched in anti-freeze I would never had thought of it!
Reply:Yeah it itched.  Peeled about 3 layers too.  Wouldnt want my pets drinking it!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
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Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretYeah it itched.  Peeled about 3 layers too.  Wouldnt want my pets drinking it!
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Originally Posted by WeldordieIs it possible that you got battery acid on your arm, along with the antifreeze?
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Originally Posted by DirtyLittleSecretGee, Weldordie.  You just keeping tabs on my disasters?!


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Originally Posted by WeldordieJust noticed your location.  Brings back 20 years of great memories of windsurfing at Hood River, etc.  Went to college in Forest Grove.  Loved Oregon and its people.
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Originally Posted by WeldordieThanks for your info, but at this point, it's too late for prevention.  I'll try the balm.  Have, already, seen a PA, who prescribed a cortisone ointment that was moderately effective.  Info on the web offers various home remedies, none of which appear to have lasting effects.  Doctors seem to just Rx cortisone.  Hoping I'll find someone with the definitive answer.
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Originally Posted by tresiCortisone ointment is a standard treatment for a skin allergy. It does work very well for that purpose. Keep it on hand for bee stings and poison ivy. However it can irratate skin that is too dry.
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Originally Posted by WeldordieAccording to multiple sources, most (if not all) cortisone type meds should be used only for a short period of time.  Since my affliction appears to be a chronic case, I am not comfortable with prolonged use, consequently, I am searching for non-cortisone treatment.
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Originally Posted by tresiIn most case that true. If you're having a chronic case now you're back to the need for prevention or something else could be the problem.
Reply:So the hand cleaner is getting to you? Are you using the citrus based or d-limonene based products. While these products are being pushed as safer alternatives to petrol based products several of them kinda get to me. If you skin is irritated to start with the hand cleaners with grit may be making things worse. When My skin is at it's worst plain original GoJO with no pumice is my choice. If this doesn't work for you here's another idea. When I was in school 2+ decades ago they had some barrier creams that you apply to skin before exposing you skin to harsh products. I really didn't care fore them at the time but I was 19, invisable and bullet proof back then. I haven't seen them lately but I run across them in the near future I'll let you know.Last edited by tresi; 04-12-2007 at 09:32 PM.
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Originally Posted by tresiSo the hand cleaner is getting to you? Are you using the citrus based or d-limonene based products. While these products are being pushed as safer alternatives to petrol based products several of them kinda get to me. If you skin is irritated to start with the hand cleaners with grit may be making things worse. When My skin is at it's worst plain original GoJO with no pumice is my choice. If this doesn't work for you heres another idea. When I was in school 2+ decades ago they had some barrier creams that you apply to skin before exposing you skin to harsh products. I really didn't care fore them at the time but I was 19, invisable and bullet proof back then. I haven't seen them lately but I run arcoss them in the near future I'll let you know.
Reply:I found several barrier creams at MSC http://www.mscdirect.com. If MSC has them I'm sure that Lab safety http://www.labsafety.com, Grainger http://www.grainger.comand McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com would have them.
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Originally Posted by tresiI found several barrier creams at MSC http://www.mscdirect.com. If MSC has them I'm sure that Lab safety http://www.labsafety.com, Grainger http://www.grainger.comand McMaster-Carr http://www.mcmaster.com would have them.
Reply:My friend as log as I know home interiors are perfect for collecting allergens, which attack sensitive respiratory systems/ skin. Right now there are many non-toxic anti-allergen spray/solvent is present which are scientifically formulated to neutralize and render harmless allergens created by dust, dogs, cats, dust mites, pollens, insects and mold. It is 100% biodegradable and contains no perfumes or dyes. Comes in 16 fl. oz. spray bottle, enough to cover 300 square feet. why don't you use themwhat is fioricet?
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Originally Posted by smith02My friend as log as I know home interiors are perfect for collecting allergens, which attack sensitive respiratory systems/ skin. Right now there are many non-toxic anti-allergen spray/solvent is present which are scientifically formulated to neutralize and render harmless allergens created by dust, dogs, cats, dust mites, pollens, insects and mold. It is 100% biodegradable and contains no perfumes or dyes. Comes in 16 fl. oz. spray bottle, enough to cover 300 square feet. why don't you use them
Reply:Geez, this sounds like a day at the beauty salon

Anyway, I'm an auto tech and I went to nitrile gloves a few years ago and what a difference. My hands are clean all the time (wife likes that) , takes a little getting used to but is so much better. Hand cleaner just dries up my hands.
Reply:Schaeffer Oil has an excellent non solvent cleaner / degreaser that we even use as hand cleaner. Not sure how it would react in regard to the allergy, but it could be an option.http://www.schaefferoil.com/specialty/266_citrol.htmlhttp://www.schaefferoil.com/specialty/739_citrol.htmlFWIW, my Chinese acupuncture doc has an ointment he makes, which is supposed to be very common, that will clear up skin reactions very quickly. It works great on me, anyway. It is safe and non everything since it is herbal and natural. Might be an alternative to cortisone. That stuff can be rough with prolonged use.
Reply:Yes, you can have a skin rash from different soaps and cleaners.  Sometimes skin lotions can relieve the dryness and irritation, sometimes they can't.  Find a soap/cleaner that works for -you-.  The liquid hand soap they have here at work will quickly dry and irritate my hands, I pretty much have to put some hand lotion on right away after everytime I wash my hands.  It's an office, not a shop, so luckily I don't have to wash my hands all that much during the day.Also, "all natural" doesn't necessarily mean something is safer or better.  Hemlock is "All Natural", and it will still kill you dead-dead-dead.  Just like that guy Socrates.I found that the specific brand SoftSoap was murder on my hands, but the wife had gotten a gift-basket from some fru-fru store and it had some liquid/gel hand soap in it.  That stuff worked well as soap and it didn't dry/crack/itch/murder my hands.  I think it was from Bath-n-Body-Works?
Reply:Good topic. I can't use anything with a solvent on my hands. Instant dermatitis or whatever it's called. I suspect I was exposed to too much crap in my younger days and got sensitive to it all.Gad, I can't even handle MSG in food anymore.....Craftsman 230a Buzz-box,  Lincoln 140T & 180T, Century K2789, PUROX W202 O/A14" cheapo chop saw that cuts straight and square!A toolbox of the cheapest Chinese tools money can buy"Real" tools all old reliable Husky/Craftsman/Proto stuff
Reply:The second try with Fluocinonide 0.05% for a week kicked the persistent, itchy rash.  Now, I'm very careful about what soaps I use on my hands.

Originally Posted by Weldordie

Thanks for your info, but at this point, it's too late for prevention.  I'll try the balm.  Have, already, seen a PA, who prescribed a cortisone ointment that was moderately effective.  Info on the web offers various home remedies, none of which appear to have lasting effects.  Doctors seem to just Rx cortisone.  Hoping I'll find someone with the definitive answer.
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Originally Posted by 123weld

hard to believe a real medical dr., would go book an appointment w/ a physicians assistant.    a real dr. would already know how to approach a rash on his own hand/ or not let it happen to begin w/, and if he didn't, he'd walk down the hall from his own office at lunch time, and slap his hand on the counter of his dr. friend down the hall, at which time, the dr. friend would, reach in his free sample drawer, and give you a handful of stuff to put on it.       that is how dr;s do it.     a real dr. would'nt go sit in a waiting room to see a physicians assistant, then come here to let a couple blue collar worker/welders lead him around, as you've done.     besides, a real eye dr. would be washing his hands all day long between seeing patients from room to room.    very strange
Reply:No cortisone BS. No aloe vera( worse).No types of tinctures.Coconut oil. Pure.Have a try at it.It's  amazing.Get an oatmeal based hippie soap from one of the "organic" joints and use that to wash for a few days.Himalaya makes one too and a good shampoo.
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Originally Posted by Bonzoo

No cortisone BS. No aloe vera( worse).No types of tinctures.Coconut oil. Pure.Have a try at it.It's  amazing.Get an oatmeal based hippie soap from one of the "organic" joints and use that to wash for a few days.Himalaya makes one too and a good shampoo.
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Good Gawd…..now we're runnin' a beauty college.


Reply:for removing many oils, grease, paint, tar products try baby oil.obviously its not made to be harsh on a baby's skin. .its mostly mineral oil very thin not quite mineral spirits as thin oil dries much slower. it surprisingly works pretty good at removing many things that would dissolve with mineral spirits. some has some perfume mixed in but normally it has no smell.
Reply:Mineral oil (the laxative) is the same thing without the baby scent. And it doesn’t dry at all. I use mineral oil on my butcher block countertops.
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Originally Posted by farmersammm


Good Gawd…..now we're runnin' a beauty college.


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Originally Posted by farmersammm


Good Gawd…..now we're runnin' a beauty college.