Skip, Everyone's sensitivity and reaction varies but I have developed an
allergy to Proset but not to the basic West epoxy. Proset uses a much more
viscous hardener so it was to be expected. The rash goes away after a few
days though. Also it stings more than itch. If your rash is persistent
even when you are not exposed to uncured resin I would look for some other
cause.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"SkipGundlach" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, Charlie, and group,

Are you sure this isn't sun poisoning? If it is, the only thing that
will calm it down and let it heal is to keep the affected areas
slathered in SPF 30 or higher sunblock at all times, and wear long
sleeves. Long sleeves alone won't do it.

I suppose it's possible - but it would surprise me, as I've not really
spent all that much time outside.

Worse, my prior solutions (or at least symptomatic relief) are now
failing. Bennies aren't making me sleep, lanacane isn't numbing, and
all vinegar is doing is stinging. Beginning yesterday afternoon when I
went to buy more, I have been taking a couple of bennies an hour or so
apart, keeping my coffee intake up as well. Before I took my shower
last night, I took 4, but only got about 3 hours of sleep. Each time I
woke up I took another two and repeated the vinegar, steroid lotion and
lanacane. As the symptoms aren't abated, but at least a bit muted, I
was able to get an hour or so each time. Now, however, I'm in agony,
unable to go back to sleep and both arms extending their sensitive
areas.

As to the fiberglass potential, throwing away the shirt would represent
my entire t-shirt wardrobe, as we've been at this for 6 weeks - but the
shirt isn't involved in the affected areas, so I don't think that's the
problem.

As to the epoxy, West sez it takes a week to fully cure. There were
many areas of prior repair that, in the course of chasing either wet
spots or delaminations, I would have ground out "adolescent" epoxy.
However, the biggie (which occured after the first flareup), therudder
shoe/skeg area was very large. I was fairing it for several days, and
at the very end, cut through about 1/8" for about 3 feet. I'd thought
I'd had the grinder such that the dust was going away from me, but
witnesses said the fan we were using blew most of it right on me - and
that time I wasn't wearing a suit.

So, it might be sun poisoning, but I'm betting epoxy. Either way, I
guess I'm going to have to see some medical folks, because I no longer
can even treat the symptoms...

L8R

Skip

CWM