Leather Allergy

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Has anyone ever heard of someone developing an allergy to leather more specificly veg tanned? I have been working with leather for around 4 years but only here and there, but as of recently almost daily. Well I started breaking out in hives three weeks ago whenever I handle the leather i'm have, I thought at first a latex allergy as I just started wearing gloves while dyeing but I have cut those out and it still happends even if I am not dyeing. Dr. has no idea without doing a bunch of expensive allergy test. I am going to stop for a couple weeks and see what happens, but I am thinking I may have to stop and sell everything!!! Which I do not want. I know this is a very personal question but I would appriciate any help.

Thanks

[Matt T]

Is there a new woman in your life?

...kidding. I suspect that it could be a certain finish or chemical in a specific leather you are using. Try using a different type of leather for a while, as a test?

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Thanks Matt, I can't afford to buy all new leather at this time so I will just lay off the stuff I have for a week or two.

Thanks,

Scruffy

[Cyberthrasher]

I would second the "different leather" idea if you do lay off for a couple weeks and it goes away.

Also, if that happens, go through EVERYTHING in your shop area and see what's changed. Maybe there's something else there contributing to it.

But, in the end, all the different tanneries use different processes and chemicals. Never know what's going to be on one company's Veg-Tan and not the other. I've even had some import that came from "That" store which was tanned in urine.

Just buy a couple pieces from a known source and see if you have the same reaction. If so, move on to a different source.

[TXAG]

I've even had some import that came from "That" store which was tanned in urine.

Care to tell the rest of us who "that" place is so that we can avoid them, please??

Edited December 18, 2013 by TXAG

[Tree Reaper]

Where is the rash, all over or just on your hands?

Is it itchy, does it blister?

[Cyberthrasher]

Care to tell the rest of us who "that" place is so that we can avoid them, please??

I highly doubt everybody here will avoid Tandy.

It's actually a common additive in tanning chemicals south of the border.

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Leather came from Tandy. This current batch of leather I got early last month and two weeks later it appeared. It started on my wrist then to my forearms, stomach, thighs and sometimes knuckles. They look like welts as in they are raised and slighty red, they don't itch to bad and benadryl makes it subside.

Thanks everyone sorry to bring up such a personal issue.

Edited December 18, 2013 by THE BIG RED VIKING

[TXAG]

I highly doubt everybody here will avoid Tandy.

It's actually a common additive in tanning chemicals south of the border.

Well, *I* do. Good to know they do crap like that...just reinforces my decision to avoid them under all circumstances.

[Rawhide]

Actually the forum director Johanna is allergic to leather if I recall correctly. I'm not sure if she developed the reaction or if it seemed to just always be...She may be able to offer some help.

[Cyberthrasher]

Well, *I* do. Good to know they do crap like that...just reinforces my decision to avoid them under all circumstances.

Yeah, I always avoid them for several reasons. I was just offering this up as an example of the fact that there are always going to be different "chemicals" involved between the various tanneries.

[Tree Reaper]

I seem to have a problem with wet veg tanned leather but it's isolated to my hands.

I always forget to wear the gloves.

It's hard to imagine it would just start bothering you now but it could be.

I don't buy leather or anything else from Tandy.

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Thanks Reaper, I have some latex free gloves I can try. Yeah that is my last purchase from tandy, where do you get your leather?

[benlilly1]

Big Red, Try Nitrile gloves. I use them and get them by the 100/box. You might want Large. They tend to run tight.

[Tree Reaper]

The last hide I bought was from Springfield Leather, Hermann Oak.

[Cyberthrasher]

I get Hermann Oak exclusively now. My B grade sides come from Springfield Leather and my A grade either comes from Sheridan Leather Outfitters or Goliger Leather.

[Dwight]

Big Red, . . . stop what you are doing, . . . and GO, . . . RUN if you have to but go get the tests.

Take it from a person who has allergies run in his family like black in a coal mine, . . . all over the place.

Believe me, . . . you don't have to have the money, . . . there are clinics, . . . foundations, . . . all sorts of places that will do something to help you find out EXACTLY what this is, . . . and that is what you need.

Failure to do so just might land you in an ER with a doctor shaking his head, . . . and you really do not want that.

True allergies will generally give you a sample warning, . . . and if you do not heed it, . . . the next time it can come on you with a vengeance worse that living in the same house with 3 ex mother in laws.

Do it.

May God bless,

Dwight

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Big Red, Try Nitrile gloves. I use them and get them by the 100/box. You might want Large. They tend to run tight.

Thanks I bought some the other day, but just for dyeing! I am first going to try and avoid contact with leather just to see. Then I will experiment with some of the other advice y'all have given me. Thanks a million

[veedub3]

Ditto what Dwight said. I suffer from allergies as well as suffer from Chronic Sinusitis so everything bothers me. When I finally went to my Physician, he sent me to an Allergy Specialists and all I had to pay was a $40 copay, so don't think it will be expensive as it just may be covered by your insurance. The test I was given was an allergy skin test. I was pricked by a ton of different allergens and the locations that swell, were what I was allergic to. Turns out I am allergic to everything but food. I am even allergic to Prednisone which is a medicine Doctors prescribe to relieve allergy reactions. (Go Figure) I take weekly allergy shots in addition to a cocktail of pills to keep things at bay - and it is time for another sinus surgery. (This will be my 3rd) Everything I use must be unscented. I make my own bath soap, body lotion, and laundry detergent to ensure it's all natural or I get those whips all over my body. I can't even use dryer sheets in the dryer, nor perfume as they will severely irritate my skin.

I haven't had a reaction to leather, but I always wear gloves and a mask. I would definitely go get this looked at by an Allergist. Not sure why your Doctor didn't recommend it, but I would go back in and ask for a referral. Allergies can be serious, don't doubt it for a second.

Karina