Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mark_roberts on August 12, 2011, 08:06:49 am

Title: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: mark_roberts on August 12, 2011, 08:06:49 am
My helper has come out in blotches all over his calfs on both legs.  He reackons its the cleaning chems.

In the past the same happened to him once his wife changed washing machine products.

I use powered chemicals like powerburst and pureclean.

We wear 100% polyester black trousers which on a hot day are itchy on me but thats all.

Anyone come across this sort of thing before.

Hes a good worker so dont want to loose him.  Will try liquid presprays over the next week or so and see what happens.

The thing is why on the legs when hes not wearing shorts and his trousers dont get wet?

thanks
Mark
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Adam P on August 12, 2011, 08:12:46 am
 flea bites maybe and he didn't realise? are they def just blotches or does it look like there could be tiny bites in the middle? right now if you were to look at my legs you'd be grossed out by how many flea bites i've got over last 2 weeks could be that.

Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Helen on August 12, 2011, 08:35:43 am
If it were a reaction to the solutions wouldn't it be all over rather than just on the legs?
As mentioned could be flea bites or at the moment we are inundated with those tiny black thunderbugs, which can make you itch and scratching will bring up the blotches. Another possibilty could just be a heat reaction.
Have you also thought of the possibilty of what is already in/on the carpets before you start could be something that doesn't like his skin?
I would have thought that liquid pre sprays would be worse if he is allergic to the solutions :)

It makes no sense that it is just on his calfs, what is he doing? Rolling up his trousers and rubbing it on? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: benny d on August 12, 2011, 09:01:34 am
>>what is he doing? Rolling up his trousers and rubbing it on?<<

You typed that like you want to see it!  :o
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: John Kelly on August 12, 2011, 09:03:40 am
If he's using a truckmount then the area around his calfs will obviously come into contact with whatever is going through the wand. The steam and spray from a truckmount wand will penetrate through fabric but also go up the trouser leg. This will also happen with a porty to some extent.
I would suggest he has an allergie test. He could also use a barrier cream on his legs before he comes to work.
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Chris Hawkes on August 12, 2011, 09:54:20 am
Ask him if he has a dog or a cat or been in a home with either in the day before the blotches appeared.

Fleas

Chris
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Jim_77 on August 12, 2011, 12:00:44 pm
Could be heat rash?  Get him to wear jeans for a couple of days, see if it continues

The polyester material might not be "breathing", the denim should be better (or cotton trousers if available)
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: garry22 on August 12, 2011, 12:31:04 pm
Next time you get a sunny day, use your sprayer by a window where the sun comes in. You will be surprised how much spray is in the air (and loads near your legs).
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: BDCS on August 12, 2011, 01:18:44 pm
My missus had the same thing which turned out to be caused by cheap jeans from Tescos. Apparently they are sprayed with insecticide to prevent all the insects where they are made infesting here! Thats what happens when these big monopolys manufacture in third world slums. I think it was just a ploy to obtain extra funding for more expensive clothing :D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: mark_roberts on August 12, 2011, 01:55:49 pm
He been with me for 3 months now and it seems to clear up when off over the holidays.  He has a dog but I'm sure its not flees.  Told to for allergy test so will see what happens.

Mark
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: mark joyce on August 12, 2011, 04:49:49 pm
tell him to man up  ;D  does he want to work? all chemicals are tested and most not harmful tell him to wear shorts all the time the extra air round the legs will help  ;D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 12, 2011, 04:53:39 pm
Hi  I get it on my left leg ,face and privates sometimes


Started when I went to Ashbys Training for three days many moons ago


I use loads of moisture creams to keep it under control or diphrobase from doctor

try switching to natural  products

Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: wynne jones on August 12, 2011, 05:08:39 pm
Hi  I get it on my left leg ,face and privates sometimes


Started when I went to Ashbys Training for three days many moons ago


I use loads of moisture creams to keep it under control or diphrobase from doctor

try switching to natural  products



Ian, we really don't want that much detail about your private life.  ;D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: wynne jones on August 12, 2011, 05:13:35 pm
If washing powder caused a problem in the past it could be if you were using an enzyme prespray. It could be fleas, could be prickly heat. 
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: David Ware on August 12, 2011, 05:43:29 pm
Could be claim coming :(
David
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 12, 2011, 06:21:56 pm
Could be allergic to work, he doesn't wear a hoody and starts riots does he?

Shaun
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: clinton on August 12, 2011, 07:16:34 pm
Would not have thought it would be cleaning stuff your using mate..

Shaun ;D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Neil Williams on August 12, 2011, 07:23:32 pm
I could understand PB causing a reaction to some (but then there are some people who are allergic to just about everything), but PC I find that hard to believe unless he was rubbing the powder into his legs.
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Carpet Dawg on August 12, 2011, 07:24:56 pm
Tell your worker to wear a longer blouse.
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 12, 2011, 07:25:42 pm
Most products say they are an irritant tried wet weather gear once but that was like a sauna
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Carpet Dawg on August 12, 2011, 07:27:55 pm
and skirt
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Neil Williams on August 12, 2011, 07:31:11 pm
Most products say they are an irritant

Yes. If you rub them into your skin.
If it's in the air why aren't his hands, arms, face effected?
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 12, 2011, 07:38:23 pm
He may have some other problem and whatever is in the air sets it off. You just need to keep it under control

regular baths plenty of moistyriser or zerobase  rubbed into effected areas three times  a day

We know he is sensitive washing powder

Mark needs to be careful though as nothing is proven

I just know if I have a week off it clears
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: AshWhite on August 12, 2011, 07:39:12 pm
Sensitive skin doesn't have to be all over - I suffer with heat rash on my back and chest which only started in my mid 20s.
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: PaulKing on August 13, 2011, 06:11:27 am
Could be claim coming :(
David

I doubt that would be the case its not like mark done anything wrong, lots of people have to leave jobs because of reactions and you can hardly. Blame someone else for something your body is doing......hmmmmm it is 2011 so I wouldn't be surprised.

Mark I had the same happen to me, after cleaning for ten years so fairly tolerant to most things. i tried a sample of extract chem boom red blotchiness saw
 gp and reckoned it was  reaction took a antihistamine and it went away. It may only be one thing so change your products over one by one to the competers best similar product,


Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: garyfindlay on August 13, 2011, 11:15:04 am
Shaun, Have I not seen a picture of you wearing a hoody, dancing, but not with a tv under your arm ;D


My eyes sometimes go bloodshot when cleaning. Can`t work out what chemical or process I am using. Don`t feel any discomfort.
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: mark_roberts on August 13, 2011, 11:20:31 am
He goes to have an allergy test this week.  We have started to use spitfire advanced liquid prespray to see if that makes a change.

Will let you know how it goes.

Hope its not Powerburst as its a great chem.

MArk
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: wynne jones on August 13, 2011, 12:01:02 pm
If it's Powerburst I know which one would have to go if he was my helper.  ;D
Title: Re: Adverse reaction to chemicals
Post by: clairuk on August 16, 2011, 11:11:30 pm
I`ve looked through the posts and seen some possible answers.....

I used to be in the garage trade and suffered from blotches on my legs and i was told by the GP it was hair molucles getting blocked/infected on my legs etc, due to oils, chemicals etc from overalls.

I also get hot very quickly which does not help either with pores opening to let in chems!!

Ohhh the joys of getting older  :-[

Sounds like a trip to G.P