Good to know - both of the problem and of the solution. Thanks.

 

I have worked with cedar - western red, alaskan nootka, port orford, nicarauguan - and haven't had a reaction. But that may be a matter of particle size. I have hand carved objects from these woods, and most of the "particles" are chips rather than dust.

 

Making dust from wood is a whole different animal, injury-wise, like Phil says. I got dermatitis big-time (and the allergic rhinitis was epic) from a project I made out of bloodwood. You never know, until it hits you. Never used bloodwood in a project, again. Don't go looking in my projects for it, btw. I've published maybe 1/10th of what I have made.

 

Thanks for the post. Hope you are continuing to feel better.

 

Thanks for sharing this with us Jerry. Always good to know the different sawdust reactions out there. Never had any problems with any sawdust in my mouth but the nose is another story.
Maybe cause I've been told to keep my mouth shut!!! LOL.
Glad you're feeling better.

 

Another good reminder to put on my dust mask more often.

 

I've had throat problems with cedar too. The one time you don't want to forget about the dust mask!!

I've also had issues with poplar plywood. Took a while but figured out it was tiny ply splinters imbedded in my shirt. I actually thought I had bed bugs b/c the reaction always occurs overnight and I wake up with red spots all over. Hate wearing an apron.

 

Are you using Eastern cedar or western red?

 

Not sure exactly, I'm using fence pickets from the Home Depot in Albany, OR.