sodium hydroxide - skin allergy?

[jm110]

Hi,

Recently I've noticed a weird sensation-- something between itching and pin-pricking-- when working with chemical reagents.  This first started in a chemistry lab a year ago but I couldn't seem to pinpoint what caused it (and neither could any of the instructors, since the concentrations of everything we were working with were typically considered to be under caustic levels, and we didn't use any toxic or highly irritant chemicals).  

I am back in a biology lab this time and have started to work with small quantities of dilute (0.01-0.1M) solutions of NaOH and have noticed the same sensation.  Nothing else I work with causes it (and I don't work with any other acid or base solutions).  I use nitrile gloves all the time and I get the sensation through the gloves.  Washing my hands and staying away from the NaOH eliminates the sensation.

I'm wondering if this is simply psychological, or if this is an actual allergic reaction?  If the latter, any tips on what I can do to counteract it other than complete avoidance (since nitrile gloves don't seem to be helping much)?  I am a biochemist and a lab technician, so it would be pretty difficult to avoid NaOH permanently.

Thanks,
JM

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Dear JM,

Dr. Parks will be offline until 7/19. Apologies for the inconvenience.

[jm110]

Dr. Parks,

Thank you for your response.  I also work with TrisHCl but have tried working with it with only latex gloves and no lab coat and didn't feel any reaction.  So I'm guessing it must be the NaOH.

There's usually no visible redness or swelling, just a very strong sensation that's like something between itchiness and pin pricking.  I can't recall a significant exposure to NaOH in the past, but I first noticed the symptoms after an organic chemistry lab on ferrocene and acetylferrocene (http://web.mit.edu/5.310/www/Ferrocene_F05.pdf)

I've also heard that organic compounds used in colorimetric reactions can sometimes act as sensitizing agents; not sure if this is the cause.

Thanks,
JM

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

Your symptoms do not sound consistent with an "allergy."

What other agents are you working with besides NaOH (you mentioned that this occurs when you work with chemical reagents).

Have you noticed redness or swelling of your hands after wearing the gloves? Did you have a significant exposure (spill) in the past?

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.