Re: Washing off urushi?

From: Bill Fletcher (bill@scienceandart.com)
Date: Mon Dec 02 2002 - 16:45:37 PST


Reactions to poisonous plants actually get worse not better with time .
. . as is seen in our experience. The rashes and other reactions are
not caused by the urushi, but the body attempting to fight the invading
element. So the more the exposure, the better and stronger the bodies
defense gets.

Bill
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On Monday, December 2, 2002, at 03:07 PM, Peter Ross wrote:

>> Bruce,
>
>
> I also am extremely sensitive to urushi. It started about 5 years ago
> (after no problems for over 25 years). At first I couldn't play a
> new flute for about one week. Then several months. Now it's even
> longer. I however don't have a skin reaction. I get dizzy and my
> neck and shoulders tighten up. I feel strange for several hours. It's
> a strong allergic reaction but different than the usual skin one lots
> of people have. It's not from contact but from breathing the fumes
> urushi gives off.
>
> Fortunately I have some very good older shakuhachi that don't affect
> me at all.
>
> I would really like to know of some cure for this, but can't imagine
> what that would be.
>
> Peter
>
>
>> I am extremely sensitive to urushi. I have had to wait up to a
>> year before I can play a new instrument without my chin feeling
>> burned.
>>
>> I know that if I wash the instrument right before I play it, and
>> wash my hands and face immediately afterwards, I don't break out if
>> I limit my playing to about 3 to 5 minutes.
>>
>> I recently got two shakuhachi back from Japan, where they were
>> repaired and urushi was used in the repair. I understand that the
>> oils in the sumac are what cause the reaction, so I'm wondering if
>> I can accelerate the curing of these flutes by washing the repaired
>> bore and the bindings with something to remove the surface oil.
>>
>> If so, what could I wash the shak with to be most effective? I use
>> dish detergent if I'm going to play right away, but know from
>> experience that the effect only lasts a short while.
>>
>> Any similar experiences or possible solutions (pun intended)?
>>
>> thanks,
>>
>> bj
>>
>> -
>> ____________________________________________________
>>
>> <a
>> shakuhachi">
>> a>
>
>
> --
> Peter Ross
> http://www.cloudhandsmusic.com
> P.O. Box 55055
> Seattle, WA 98155
> 206-587-7262
> 206-364-2341 FAX
> ____________________________________________________
>
> <a
> shakuhachi">
>

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