I've known a couple of lacemakers who developed an allergy to their exotic wood bobbins, but we do so many things with out thumbs I wouldn't leap to that conclusion. I myself have had troubles with my thumbs for some time (including inflammation and rough skin on the inside of the thumb, mainly on the right hand but also on the left) and I just realized the other day what has caused this - seven months ago I moved into an apartment that has the old-fashioned curtains that you draw by pulling on a cord. The curtains are long and it takes a lot of pulling and my thumbs just aren't up to it. Now I've changed how I pull and that has already made a difference, and I'm going to look around for some kind of a hand grip to help me out.
Have you tried gently rubbing one of the suspect bobbins on the inside of your wrist? If it's an allergy it'll react and you'll know for sure. Hope this helps. Adele West Vancouver, BC (west coast of Canada) On 2014-02-07, at 6:57 AM, dmt11h...@aol.com wrote: > Here is a question I haven't seen dealt with before. I am experiencing > patches of itchiness, inflammation and irritation on the skin on the inside > of > both my thumb joints, but slightly worse on the right hand. I use bulbed > bobbins, often of guatambo, which is palm. My dermatologist seems to be > puzzled by this situation which, although it has improved, is not resolving > despite constant application of an eczema cream. > Has anyone else had this? Could it be lacemaking related? I don't actually > make bobbin lace everyday, so it seems a little odd, but now I am > beginning to wonder. > Devon - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
