Sarah Lawless on sun 8 jan 06
I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
allergy to ceramic materials, but I wonder if my skin
condition could be resulting from the mold that is
inherent in clay? I've been a full-time ceramics
student for almost three years. At the end of my
second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
hands. Not dry skin, not cracking, but little itchy
bumps like poison ivy or diaper rash. They were oozy
at first, then dried up and flaked off, appearing to
heal, only to return again within a few days. I used
cortisone to get rid of it, which seemed to work for
the summer (when I wasn't using clay...much...), but
it returned again two weeks into the following school
year. Cortisone no longer worked. I started looking at
alternative treatments, but so far have found nothing
that will heal it permanently, other than giving up
clay (the rash disappeard entirely for the two weeks
that I was on Christmas holidays). I have tried
throwing with (vinyl) gloves, which is a pain but can
be done, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm
wondering if the irritant is in the dry form as well
as wet (ie. dust in the air)!
Has anybody heard of anything like this?
Sarah Lawless
Nelson, BC
Canada
"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm"
__________________________________________________________
Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
Ann Testa on sun 8 jan 06
I have use gloves to throw with for about 20 years. I, too, had some skin
problems & after several visits to my dermatologist, he handed me a
handful of gloves & said "wear these, or quit clay". It took me several
months to adjust, but I did. I buy the gloves at Costco & make sure
that they fit as tightly as possible -- no wrinkles. The interesting
benefit
is that I have fingernails -- something I never had before.
Ann Testa
_www.clayartgallery.com_ (http://www.clayartgallery.com)
steve graber on sun 8 jan 06
yeah, continued exposure to a skin irritant. you need a barrier.
you might rub down with something like vaseline before working in clay. "what's her name" who writes in clay times (sorry i forget her name & am too lazy to go to the back room & look for it) would be the best source to find how to prepare for this before clay.
continued exposure to a simple *inert* materials can add up to an irritant. i got a situation from years of exposure to cat-dog hair & stuff. love the guys, can't get rid of them, but they sure are the cause of my bloody nose issues.....
see ya
steve
Sarah Lawless wrote:
I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
allergy to ceramic materials, but I wonder if my skin
condition could be resulting from the mold that is
inherent in clay? I've been a full-time ceramics
student for almost three years. At the end of my
second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
hands. Not dry skin, not cracking, but little itchy
bumps like poison ivy or diaper rash. They were oozy
at first, then dried up and flaked off, appearing to
heal, only to return again within a few days. I used
cortisone to get rid of it, which seemed to work for
the summer (when I wasn't using clay...much...), but
it returned again two weeks into the following school
year. Cortisone no longer worked. I started looking at
alternative treatments, but so far have found nothing
that will heal it permanently, other than giving up
clay (the rash disappeard entirely for the two weeks
that I was on Christmas holidays). I have tried
throwing with (vinyl) gloves, which is a pain but can
be done, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm
wondering if the irritant is in the dry form as well
as wet (ie. dust in the air)!
Has anybody heard of anything like this?
Sarah Lawless
Nelson, BC
Canada
"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm"
__________________________________________________________
Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
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Jennifer Boyer on sun 8 jan 06
2 things to try:
Wash your hands VERY well after each work session. Use soap and really
scrub. Think SURGEON. Then apply hand cream. Keep in mind that lanolin
can produce allergic reactions in some people.
If you are throwing directly on the wheel head try switching to bats
only. Some people (like me) have nickel allergy and the slip from
throwing picks up the metal from the wheelhead. Aluminum alloys can
include nickel.
Good Luck
Jennifer
On Jan 8, 2006, at 1:54 PM, Sarah Lawless wrote:
> I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
> allergy to ceramic materials, but I wonder if my skin
> condition could be resulting from the mold that is
> inherent in clay? I've been a full-time ceramics
> student for almost three years. At the end of my
> second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
> hands. ************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT
http://thistlehillpottery.com
Elizabeth Priddy on sun 8 jan 06
from what you are saying, you can deduce that
something NEW entered into the equation at the
end of the second year.
The mold in the clay did not change. So that
is probably not it.
You have to retrace your progress and think. I
am wondering if that was the time you started
mixing glazes and using latex gloves.
As the rash is only on the hands and glaze ingredients
can get all over, I am guessing gloves.
E
Sarah Lawless wrote:
I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
allergy to ceramic materials, but I wonder if my skin
condition could be resulting from the mold that is
inherent in clay? I've been a full-time ceramics
student for almost three years. At the end of my
second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
hands. Not dry skin, not cracking, but little itchy
bumps like poison ivy or diaper rash. They were oozy
at first, then dried up and flaked off, appearing to
heal, only to return again within a few days. I used
cortisone to get rid of it, which seemed to work for
the summer (when I wasn't using clay...much...), but
it returned again two weeks into the following school
year. Cortisone no longer worked. I started looking at
alternative treatments, but so far have found nothing
that will heal it permanently, other than giving up
clay (the rash disappeard entirely for the two weeks
that I was on Christmas holidays). I have tried
throwing with (vinyl) gloves, which is a pain but can
be done, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm
wondering if the irritant is in the dry form as well
as wet (ie. dust in the air)!
Has anybody heard of anything like this?
Sarah Lawless
Nelson, BC
Canada
"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm"
__________________________________________________________
Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
______________________________________________________________________________
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Elizabeth Priddy
Beaufort, NC - USA
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com
---------------------------------
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William & Susan Schran User on sun 8 jan 06
On 1/8/06 1:54 PM, "Sarah Lawless" wrote:
> I've been a full-time ceramics
> student for almost three years. At the end of my
> second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
> hands. Not dry skin, not cracking, but little itchy
> bumps like poison ivy or diaper rash.
Have you tried changing clay?
For a period of time our campus bookstore ordered clay - Standard (not
Standard Clay of Pittsburgh) or Sculpture House clay, can't remember the
name.
Had two students develop a rash when using this clay. I contacted the
manufacturer who said they added a preservative to the clay to stop the
mold.
It was the preservative that caused the rash with my students. After
changing clay, no more problem.
-- William "Bill" Schran
Fredericksburg, Virginia
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
Adrienne Gradauer on sun 8 jan 06
Sarah in Nelson with the clay rash:
I used to get a bad rash I was sure was a clay allergy, with little
bumps, but no puss. I'm pretty sure mine was from dry skin though, as
when I'm more careful with my skin it's ok. One thing that really
helped me was when drying my skin with a towel, to pat my hands and
arms dry, rather than rubbing....the rubbing really dries them out. I
also noticed that in a dusty environment like a school, all the dry
clay around irritated me much worse that after school when I was able
to keep my work environment totally clean. I'm pretty anal, I hardly
let any clay dry on my skin when I'm throwing, and probably spend as
much time cleaning as clay prep and throwing combined. This is mostly
for my lungs, but also to prevent dry skin clay rash. Your reaction
sounds pretty severe though, so maybe it's not dry skin. Good luck, I
hope it's severe dry skin that you can relieve with lots of extra care
adrienne in banff
Edouard Bastarache Inc. on sun 8 jan 06
Occupational dermatoses are not a major problem in the pottery industry,
the incidence being less than 1%.
Here are some causes found in the pertaining medical literature:
-Antimony trioxide
-1,2 benzisothiazoline-3-one in releasing oils
-Biocides
-Cadmium chloride
-Ceramic fibres
-Chloracetamide
-Chromium and chromates
-Cobalt
-Cobalt chloride
-Cobalt nitrate
-Formaldehyde
-Maleic anhydride
-Manganese dioxide
-Mercaptobenzothiazole
-Natural rubber latex
-Nickel
-Nickel sulfate
-Proxel
-Red copper oxide
-Red iron oxide
-Releasing oils
-Resins
-Sodium tripolyphosphate
-Turpentine
-Vanadium pentoxide
But let us bear in mind that studio pottery may be quite different from the
pottery industry
when it comes to chemicals and processes used.
Reference :
Oshline/Nioshtic, database provided by The Canadian Centre for Occupational
Health and Safety.
"Ils sont fous ces quebecois"
"They are insane these quebekers"
"Están locos estos quebequeses"
Edouard Bastarache
Irreductible Quebecois
Indomitable Quebeker
Sorel-Tracy
Quebec
edouardb@sorel-tracy.qc.ca
www.sorel-tracy.qc.ca/~edouardb/Welcome.html
http://retrodemonstration.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/potier/
http://stainlessfre.blogspot.com/
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/smart2000/index.htm
Snail Scott on mon 9 jan 06
At 01:54 PM 1/8/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
>allergy to ceramic materials...
Not sure where you're reading this, but lots of
people have allergies to ceramic materials, and
not just mold/mildew. The biggest culprit in my
experience is the metal oxide colorants. Though
I have never had much trouble, I had a student
who broke out in a rash after just one elbow-
deep dip into a high-copper raku glaze. Copper
and tin seem the worst offenders, but I suspect
there are others, possibly nickel and zinc. My
general rule: if you can't wear cheap earrings,
then wear gloves around the oxides. It's the same
sensitivity, I believe: copper or tin in the
glaze, and copper or tin in the base-metal ear
wires.
It's also possible to sensitize yourself to
some materials over time. Something that was no
problem in the past can become one through
overexposure.
Hand lotion can help, especially the ones
intended as barrier coatings. I know that when
my skin gets cracked, all sorts of things are
a problem that aren't when my skin is healthy.
-Snail
L. P. Skeen on mon 9 jan 06
Edouard, in this list, let us not also forget to include M O L D. It will
grow, especially if non-clay organics get in, such as paper in paperclay,
and some molds are toxic. Must be careful there. Ask me how I know this....
L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edouard Bastarache Inc."
> Occupational dermatoses are not a major problem in the pottery industry,
>
> the incidence being less than 1%.
lela martens on mon 9 jan 06
Hi Ya,
What really works for me.. is to cut open a vitamine E capsule. Work it
into the skin, sleep on it. Very greasy, so I wear night gloves. One can
spend a fortune on vit. E creams, but I figure ..why? Vaseline works well
too, but I always forget it upstairs.
Lela
_________________________________________________________________
Don't just Search. Find! http://search.sympatico.msn.ca/default.aspx The new
MSN Search! Check it out!
Snail Scott on mon 9 jan 06
At 06:31 PM 1/9/2006 -0000, Malcolm wrote:
>Snail,
>Since copper and tin oxides are toxins, I am not sure calling the
>reaction to them an 'allergy' is quite the right word...
Very true - many things we call 'allergies' are
not actually allergies at all. I was going along
with the colloquial usage of the term, but you
are quite correct; not every bad reaction is an
allergy, probably not even most of them, and
sensitivities to metal are certainly an example
of that.
-Snail
Cheryl Weickert on mon 9 jan 06
On Mon, 9 Jan 2006 10:55:14 -0600, Brian Fistler
wrote:
>The best place to find pure lanolin is in a drug store, or even walmart
>in the BABY section of all places... It is sold as "nipple cream" for
>nursing mothers. Works like a charm.
>
>Brian
Yikes, being allergic to lanolin, that's the last thing I'd put on my
nipples! Careful with the lanolin, many people are allergic to it and
it's in most mosturizers for skin, also the fragrances are hard on
sensitive skin... read the labels before buying.
Pinky in MN, who found out the lanolin allergy the old fashioned way...
helping a ewe give birth, nice rash the next day, natural lanolin doesn't
wash off that easy! Son won a blue ribbon with that lamb at the local
county fair.
primalmommy on mon 9 jan 06
Sarah, I had a student with immune system problems (lupus) who got that
exact same rash, but only with red clays. She was also allergic to most
metal jewelry, so we assumed it was the iron in the clay and switched to
white -- had no further problem
Good luck!
Kelly in Ohio
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ponder on mon 9 jan 06
I have heard some mention that wearing gloves helps. I have found the =
opposite. Gloves in fact made the problem worse (and I do hot have a =
latex allergy). The problem for me is moisture and heat. I have found =
that some lotions can help after washing with cool water.=20
Anyway, more food for thought, hope you find something that works!=20
----- Original Message -----=20
From: L. P. Skeen=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 12:23 AM
Subject: Re: skin reactions to clay
Edouard, in this list, let us not also forget to include M O L D. It =
will
grow, especially if non-clay organics get in, such as paper in =
paperclay,
and some molds are toxic. Must be careful there. Ask me how I know =
this....
L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Edouard Bastarache Inc."
> Occupational dermatoses are not a major problem in the pottery =
industry,
>
> the incidence being less than 1%.
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
Malcolm Schosha on mon 9 jan 06
Sarah,
Assuming you are using a commercial clay, there could be non-clay
ingreadients added for plasticity, or for color; and that, not the
clay material, could be the problem.
Also, I have noted that a general problem often becomes obvious in
the extremities...such as the hands. If you are using unfritted
oxides, please be very careful not to breath dust from them, or get
them on your skin.
A number of years ago, a friend lost sensation in his hands. The Dr.
suspected a problem in his brain, but it turned out to be from
Roundup, a herbacide he had used incautiously.
So, although your poblem may be the clay, it may be something else;
and you might want to give some thought too all the materials you are
using.
Be well.
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, Sarah Lawless wrote:
>
> I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
> allergy to ceramic materials, but I wonder if my skin
> condition could be resulting from the mold that is
> inherent in clay? I've been a full-time ceramics
> student for almost three years. At the end of my
> second year, I suddenly developed a rash on both of my
> hands. Not dry skin, not cracking, but little itchy
> bumps like poison ivy or diaper rash. They were oozy
> at first, then dried up and flaked off, appearing to
> heal, only to return again within a few days. I used
> cortisone to get rid of it, which seemed to work for
> the summer (when I wasn't using clay...much...), but
> it returned again two weeks into the following school
> year. Cortisone no longer worked. I started looking at
> alternative treatments, but so far have found nothing
> that will heal it permanently, other than giving up
> clay (the rash disappeard entirely for the two weeks
> that I was on Christmas holidays). I have tried
> throwing with (vinyl) gloves, which is a pain but can
> be done, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm
> wondering if the irritant is in the dry form as well
> as wet (ie. dust in the air)!
>
> Has anybody heard of anything like this?
>
> Sarah Lawless
> Nelson, BC
> Canada
>
> "You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm"
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca
>
>
______________________________________________________________________
________
> Send postings to clayart@l...
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@p...
>
skiasonaranthropos@FSMAIL.NET on mon 9 jan 06
Hello Edouard,
Whilst dermatosis may not be a huge problem in the ceramic industry it
does exist, can be serious and is treated so. Barrier creams, after work
creams and gloves are widely used. Sometimes individuals have had to
change jobs because of skin complaints, and not just dermatosis
Causes of the problems include: the abrasive nature of clay bodies.
Prolonged wetting of hands. Contact with chemicals within bodies and glazes
Regards,
Antony
Brian Fistler on mon 9 jan 06
On Mon, 2006-01-09 at 10:51 +0000, lela martens wrote:
> Hi Ya,
> What really works for me.. is to cut open a vitamine E capsule. Work it
> into the skin, sleep on it. Very greasy, so I wear night gloves. One can
> spend a fortune on vit. E creams, but I figure ..why? Vaseline works well
> too, but I always forget it upstairs.
> Lela
>
If dry skin in your problem, you might also want to check out using pure
lanolin instead of the vitamin E.
The best place to find pure lanolin is in a drug store, or even walmart
in the BABY section of all places... It is sold as "nipple cream" for
nursing mothers. Works like a charm.
Brian
Malcolm Schosha on mon 9 jan 06
Snail,
Since copper and tin oxides are toxins, I am not sure calling the
reaction to them an 'allergy' is quite the right word. It really
would be safer for you to use fritted glaze colors. Just because you
do not have acute reactions to these oxides, does not necessarily
mean you are not being effected, and need not worry about possible
long term effects.
Be well.
Malcolm Schosha
...........................
--- In clayart@yahoogroups.com, Snail Scott wrote:
>
> At 01:54 PM 1/8/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> >I keep reading that there is no such thing as an
> >allergy to ceramic materials...
>
>
> Not sure where you're reading this, but lots of
> people have allergies to ceramic materials, and
> not just mold/mildew. The biggest culprit in my
> experience is the metal oxide colorants. Though
> I have never had much trouble, I had a student
> who broke out in a rash after just one elbow-
> deep dip into a high-copper raku glaze. Copper
> and tin seem the worst offenders, but I suspect
> there are others, possibly nickel and zinc. My
> general rule: if you can't wear cheap earrings,
> then wear gloves around the oxides. It's the same
> sensitivity, I believe: copper or tin in the
> glaze, and copper or tin in the base-metal ear
> wires.
>
> It's also possible to sensitize yourself to
> some materials over time. Something that was no
> problem in the past can become one through
> overexposure.
>
> Hand lotion can help, especially the ones
> intended as barrier coatings. I know that when
> my skin gets cracked, all sorts of things are
> a problem that aren't when my skin is healthy.
>
-Snail
marianne kuiper milks on mon 9 jan 06
Hello Sarah,
In short: you can be allergic to anything on earth, including yourself (which is a terrible disease, needless to say and I can ask hubby for the name of the condition). People can also have a REACTION to certain materials, which is not an allergy because, in simple terms, it acts differently. The ONLY way you can find out is by separating all the ingredients used in a certain compound, stay away from the whole thing long enough for the situation to clear up, then super-saturate ONE area of your body (pref. a gently area in the region where you have been reacting), isolate the problem and stay away from it. And that may not solve or identify the problem, but it is an inexpensive thing to do that the doctor/herbalist would make you pay big bucks for. "Taking something for it" may only exacerbate the problem/cover it up. We all have various allergies in our family, from life-threatening asthma to little bumps from chocolate. Good luck.
Marianne Kuiper Milks, PA
I cheated and asked my husband, who is an allergist. but you didn't hear if from him, of course: doesn't practice internet or phone medicine.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less
Gayle Bair on mon 9 jan 06
Very interesting Jennifer I never thought about the wheelhead...
Years ago when making bubble solution for my kids of Dawn dishwashing liquid
and glycerin that I have an allergy to the glycerin....
it made the skin on my hands peel. It was very weird!
It's amazing how many products include glycerin.
Gayle Bair... gads.... gotta read all labels these days
gotta figure out which things create havoc... some are easy...
like politicians and please I'm not being partisan.
Remember I am an EOO....Equal Opportunity Offender :-)
Bainbridge Island, WA
Tucson, AZ
www.claybair.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Boyer
2 things to try:
Wash your hands VERY well after each work session. Use soap and really
scrub. Think SURGEON. Then apply hand cream. Keep in mind that lanolin
can produce allergic reactions in some people.
If you are throwing directly on the wheel head try switching to bats
only. Some people (like me) have nickel allergy and the slip from
throwing picks up the metal from the wheelhead. Aluminum alloys can
include nickel.
Good Luck
Jennifer
Ivor and Olive Lewis on tue 10 jan 06
Dear Sarah Lawless ,
Some clay manufacturers use a "Plate Oil" to lubricate the interior of =
the pipe where clay issues from an extruder. As far as I know this is =
only on large industrial machines and was common practice in the Brick =
Field industries.
When I was teaching I once had a batch of clay from such a source. One =
student showed an intense reaction to this new clay with reddening of =
the skin and a pervasive itch. Took some time to track down the cause, =
but the aroma on a new bag of clay gave use a clue. Not that good earthy =
smell, more like fuel oil.
To answer you query, yes, there is potential for allergic reactions to =
ceramic materials.
Best regards,
Ivor Lewis.
Redhill,
South Australia.
Jim Murphy on wed 11 jan 06
Is it "something" in the clay, or in the soap [causing skin damage] ?
Many have discovered "antibacterial" soaps NOT only "kill" bacteria, but
also do a pretty good job of destroying healthy skin cells as well. :o(
Take a close look at what kind of soap you're using for washing-up.
Perhaps switching to a NON-antibacterial hand soap may be part of the cure.
Best wishes,
Jim Murphy
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