Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Is there some type of wood that would cause a skin rash?
QUESTION:
We bought a wood burner for the home to help heat, We cut
down a tree in the back yard for fire wood, Well, i was burning the wood then
without washing my hands, i worked out and wiped my face? Since Feb , I have had
a rashy like mass on my face. doctors are finally admitting they are baffled and
decided to send me to a Dermatologist. What i need to know, is are there any
trees that by burning, will cause a rash, looks something like a cross between
poison ivy and a bad case of acne, and what i mean by the acne, is i am getting
little white blister like leisons on my face? Now i dont know if you are a
doctor such a phd, But i am loosing hope here and i found your address. I just
hope that maybe by some coincidence that you might know what i am talking about.
The wood is the only thing i can possibly think of that was different touching
my skin.No, new products!!!!
ANSWER:
I will take a stab at this, even though I am a nutritionist/toxicologist and not
a physician. It would help to know what part of the country you live in and the
species of trees you are burning.
I would guess that your primary problem was a dermatitis that was caused by
poison oak/ivy/sumac/wood, (perhaps a vine on the tree) and this primary injury
became infected with a bacteria, perhaps a Staph. aureus strain, and it is
possible you have been reinjured if you continue to have contact with the wood.
In some patients, the cortisone that relieves pain and inflamation may help lower
barriers a bit to bacterial infection, but you did not mention using a
cortisone-like product.