[Jewelry making - Article 01348] - Re: [Orchid] Skin Rash from Zam

[Beth Wicker]

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    Brian - no ideas relating to Zam specifically, but as a highly
    allergic person with a highly allergic dd, I can speak generally to
    allergies.  It DOES sound like the rash is probably the Zam, if that
    is the only change in what the person is working with.  Also sounds
    like what is called "contact dermatitis" - which simply means it
    happens because the skin has physically come in contact with the
    irritating substance.  In this case you have 3 choices:  one, quit
    using the Zam; two, quit using the employee; three  - and the most
    viable one probably - have the employee wear a covering that prevents
    the Zam from contacting the skin.  Depending on the level of allergy,
    simply removing the immediate physical contact will take care of the
    problem. 

    That said, it DOES happen that an allergy progresses in severity and
    in sensitivity.  In this case it would be possible for it to become
    inadvisable for the employee to be even where Zam was used, as in
    severe cases breathing air containing microscopic particles of the
    allergic substance can bring on an allergic reaction, an asthma
    attack, anaphylactic shock, and even death - quite literally!  There
    are people who have died simply by breathing air that contained the
    allergic substance - this is, in fact, why most airlines no longer
    serve peanuts.  Peanuts are one of the substances (they are actually
    legumes, not nuts) that DO infiltrate the air and can, and have,
    killed people who simply breathed air in an enclosed area where
    someone had eaten peanuts. 

    I mention all this just to say you should be aware that it CAN
    happen, and if you continue to use Zam and the employee, you should
    become aware of signs of asthama, anaphylactic shock, and what to do
    just in case it should occur.  It probably won't, but if you know
    what to do when does you wind up with a live allergic employee
    instead of a dead one!  MUCH preferable to all concerned!  My dd and
    I carry an Epipen with us wherever we go, just in case.  We have not
    ever needed to  use it, although she has had an ambulance ride due to
    allergies (fire ant bites), but I feel that "better safe than sorry"
    is DEFINITELY the way to go!!! 

    Good luck to both you and your employee! 

    Beth in SC who is glad the fall allergy season is about over 


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