allergic reaction to newspapers? - Allergies Message Board

davemason2k · 04-29-2004, 08:29 AM

Hello, 2 months ago I got a 2nd job working for USA today and ever since I've been dealing with a problem I thought was Eczema but now I'm not sure. Are there chemicals in newspapers that could be causing this dry skin problem? Is there anywayto find this out?

chigs489 · 04-29-2004, 09:06 AM

It's funny you bring that up. I have been getting weird Eczema-like rashes on my hands for a couple months now, and I have no idea where it is coming from. I suspect it may have something to do with all the newspapers I read in the morning on the way to work.

I'm going to stay away from newspapers for a week or so and see what happens.

Machaon · 04-29-2004, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemason2k

Hello, 2 months ago I got a 2nd job working for USA today and ever since I've been dealing with a problem I thought was Eczema but now I'm not sure. Are there chemicals in newspapers that could be causing this dry skin problem? Is there anywayto find this out?

I use gloves to read my newspaper. When my asthma was worse, I couldn't even have a newspaper in the same room.

Murphy · 04-29-2004, 01:14 PM

It took me yrs. & not even dr's could tell me abt my sporadic daily sneezing. I had
allergy tests etc. = 0. Some places I'd never been to, made me sneeze. I woke fine
1 morning & started reading & sneezing + getting blotchy skin while on the patio. By
afternoon, the paper had been in the sun for 4 hrs. I read it in the hse. & I was fine?
I'm allergic to the `smell' of news-ink. I now air-out the paper in the sun before I
read it. If I buy a `new' paper, the ink will get in me & trigger blotches. Airing out the
paper in bright light, sets the ink. U can get elbow eczema reading it that way.

Crossbow · 04-29-2004, 01:15 PM

They create a lot of dust. I suppose it's also possible to have a reaction to the ink, which gets on your hands easily.