Alergic reaction to Western Red Cedar?

Neal Haarberg

Neal Haarberg

Active member
Yesterday I decided to do a little carving. I was working on a mallard body out of Western red cedar for a little over an hour. I was usign a draw knife and a rasp and not expierencing any issues once I went inside for dinner My nose was stffy and running and was coughing and having a little trouble breathing. I couldn't figure out what was going on then thought maybe I was having a reaction to the cedar. I have worked with cedar on lots of projects for the last 20 years and recently stated carving with it. My nose would always be a little stuffy after working with cedar but nothing like this before. I have a respirator but typically only use it when I start sanding. I took a couple benadryl and it helped so I could sleep and now I can't wake up!!! I was wondering if anybody else has had an issue with this and would care to share what there symptoms were.
 
Cedar is one of theose woods that gives people trouble. Since you've worked with it in the past you may have become sensitized to it. Meaning you are now alergic after repeated exposure. I'm kind of surprised you had this reaction from chips and not dust. I had a severe skin reaction to some exotics a few years back. That stuff is no longer welcome in my shop.
 
Yep, sounds like a reaction to the wood. That is why I don't carve red cedar. My body can't take it. It is a miserable experience for me just like that. A resperator helps, but that gets annoying too. The fine dust can still burn your eyes.

Even if it hasn't bothered you before it can catch up to you. Maybe your body just said enough is enough. I used to be able to eat crab, now it makes me vomit uncontrollably.

Some guys can used red cedar without seeing any effects. Good for them. But likely the wood dust is still doing damage, they just don't feel it.
 
Cedar is one of theose woods that gives people trouble. Since you've worked with it in the past you may have become sensitized to it. Meaning you are now alergic after repeated exposure. I'm kind of surprised you had this reaction from chips and not dust. I had a severe skin reaction to some exotics a few years back. That stuff is no longer welcome in my shop.
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I have noticed even when carving chips with tools like a gouge, a very small about fo dust is produced. I notice this because I am very sensitive to dust. This can be enough for me to be effected. I imagine a rasp produces a good, or bad, amount of dust.
 
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Yep, the same thing happens to me with western red cedar. Plugged up nose, scratchy throat and achey all over. Its a little chippy but I sort of like working with it but now avoid it because of my reactions to it. Skin contact doesn't seem to bother me so some day when I want to make 2x flatty duck decoys I'll use it...with a mask on until it is sealed.

Tim
 
Neal - Although it is a good carving wood, I stay away from it for that very reason. For me, white cedar, not a problem. But, red cedar, if it was the only available wood to carve with, I'd quit carving... Pat
 
My wife just called and said that my uncle was having the same symptoms last night at around the same time and he was no where near any cedar. We were at a BBQ earlier in the day and both us were doing the grilling. There were about 15 people there and nobody else was sick. Maybe it wasn't the cedar. Now have no idea what it was. I'm not ready to sell the rest of my cedar supply just yet but when it is gone I think I will be changing to another species.
 
That does sound like the wood was bugging you, but the barbq is a mystery.

I use Western Red Cedar to make all kinds of stuff, its the wood I use most often, and I've found some really bugs me and other slabs are no big deal. The coastal stuff seems easier on my eyes and nose than the inland stuff I've got. The inland stuff is lighter in color and the dust seems to make my eyes pretty itchy. Yellow cedar really makes my nose run just from smelling it it seems.

Hope you get it figured out Neal.

Mike
 
All Cedar dust is toxic. Once it's in your lungs it's there for good. A industrial strength mask, extremely good ventilation and no foredom. That's why I use white pine and sugar pine, cedar projects very rarely now.
 
Like others have said, the WRC caused me two respiratory infections, both requiring a doctor visit (i'm a slow learner). But the atlantic white no problems.
 
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