Any allergies to Walnut? Walnut Burl?

[Brian Kent]

Have any of you had allergies to walnut or walnut burl?

I'm trying to figure out some lung irritation that is about 3 months old now.

I went through a flu and a cold in the last 3 months, but I remember having the lung pain before that. It started about the same time I was sanding my Walnut Burl Coffee Table with a very leaky face mask or no face mask.

I am wondering if there was a fungus in the burl (spalting mixed with the burl) or the toxin "jutlong" concentrated in the burl. That's the toxin that kills many other plants around black walnut trees and is a problem in a horse's drinking water.

This was also the only time I have experienced the stink like dog doodoo that I have heard about while sanding the walnut burl.

I have never had that problem with walnut before. I got a much better 3M half face mask with the P100 filters for the future (and VOC filters for finishing).

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Brian

[Mike Henderson]

I've worked with a lot of regular walnut, Brian, but the only walnut burl I've worked with is veneer. I never experienced any of those symptoms. But if you think it might be some lung infection, I'd definitely get to a lung doctor and get it checked out. I've heard that spalting can be dangerous to people.

Mike

[John Keeton]

Brian, I have always had an allergic reaction to walnut and unfortunately, it is my favorite species. My symptoms were flu like - aches and pains, and general malaise. It usually subsided in 36 - 48 hours and quicker if I could hack up all the black dust/snot/etc

The DC system has virtually eliminated my symptoms - that and going largely to hand planes for finishing.

Seems I recall reading that about 25% of the population has some level of allergic reaction to walnut dust, though it has been years since I researched it.

Hope your symptoms subside. I would guess that perhaps the walnut dust caused the initial irritation, but pain is usually associated with pleurisy, and that may have resulted from the allergic reaction. I sure am not a doctor, but sounds plausible to me.

[Scott Hildenbrand]

If I eat too many freshly cracked walnuts (more than a handful) my lungs get tight and it feels like I have trouble breathing. So yes, it is possible.

[Brian Kent]

I definitely have been seeing the doctor. I am asking about this here so I might have another idea to take to her.

Brian

[Mike Henderson]

I hope you'll be better soon. Please let us know how you're doing.

Mike

[David DeCristoforo]

Many people have mild to severe reactions to certain woods. For me it's cedar. I cannot get anywhere near cedar without immediately getting nauseous. If you put my clothes in a cedar lined drawer or closet, I would never be able to wear them again. But I'm fine with walnut and cocobolo which are both woods that disagree with a surprising number of people. A customer once told me that he could not have any walnut furniture in his house at all because he was so severely allergic to it.

[Thomas S Stockton]

David,
Tennessee red cedar doesn't bother me and the red cedar i cut for firewood doesn't. The ones that drive me crazy are the ones that are whiter like Port Orford, Alaskan yellow and I made a desk out of deodor cedar that about did me in.
Tom

[Wayne Sparkman]

If after several months of this your doctor hasn't been able to diagnose the problem, don't hesitate to find another for a second opinion. Preferably a specialist. I presume x-rays have been done, cancer has been ruled out, etc.

At least you are in a major population area, so finding an excellent specialist shouldn't be a problem.

[Mike Cruz]

I've never heard about walnut in horse's drinking water being an issue...but then again, our horses drink from water troughs not streams or ponds.

The only thing I have heard that is bad for horses is walnut shavings/dust in their bedding. It can easily be fatal.

Just for information sake, many people think the same about cherry for horses. Actually, the danger with cherry and horses comes from the leaves as they change colors in the fall. There is a build up of toxins (cyanide, I believe) that, when horses eat the leaves, can be deadly as well.

Of course, if you have enough hay and grass for them to eat, they will likely stay away from eating cherry leaves.

Now getting the horses to stop using spoke shaves, planes, and sanders to creating their bedding is another issue...

[phil harold]

Walnut is a known to dry out nose throat and lungs and can cause asthma
also some people are allergic to the touch

I love walnut except for the dust
I have to use a p100 respirator to survive

Wood dust is nasty stuff some is worse than others
Walnut, Cedar, and particle board dust can send me to the doctor if I dont wear a mask

Hope you feel better

[Brad Wood]

my tongue and lips get numb when I sand walnut. I have to wear a respirator and then make sure to wash my hands well when I am done