Allergic reaction to flux?

[AliBear]

Over many years I have soldered pipes with either Poweflow or La-Co flux.
In the last year or so I have had spectacular, painful, itching and blistering whenever I do soldering work and it even seems to happen when wearing nitrile fronted, cloth backed gloves now.
Is this a documented thing? It looks the same as images that can be found from poison ivy reactions. I would upload an image, but it's too grim!
Can anyone suggest gloves that can protect against this? Or other fluxes?
Thanks, A

 

[Burger]

Over many years I have soldered pipes with either Poweflow or La-Co flux.
In the last year or so I have had spectacular, painful, itching and blistering whenever I do soldering work and it even seems to happen when wearing nitrile fronted, cloth backed gloves now.
Is this a documented thing? It looks the same as images that can be found from poison ivy reactions. I would upload an image, but it's too grim!
Can anyone suggest gloves that can protect against this? Or other fluxes?
Thanks, A

Is it flux or the Nitrile? Try a different flux or try a different glove or both? See a dermatologist?

 

[Rob Foster]

I think laco is quite benign
Rob Foster

 

[Ben-gee]

Blistering? You’re not getting too near the flame are you

 

[Ric2013]

It's not copper oxide itself, is it? From cleaning the old pipes before soldering?
Could be flux. It's nasty stuff. Try another kind, like Fluxite? Probably equally nasty...

 

[Millsy 82]

I think laco is quite benign
Rob Foster

I always thought laco was one of the worst. I still use it though.

 

[neilrj]

I always thought laco was one of the worst. I still use it though.

All the stuff that works is nasty, be it flux/leaded solder/weedkiller/whatever - until it's banned...

 

[gmartine]

Even though the gloves are nitrile it sounds like a typical reaction to latex, there could be a trace amount in them.

 

[gmartine]

Use an over the counter hydrocortisone skin cream and an antihistamine.

 

[Chuck]

Try powder-free vinyl examination gloves, a couple of quid for a box of 100, as a barrier layer under your current gloves.

I would consult a GP or dermatologist before going down the HC or antihistamine route. Anything that works has side-effects that need to be thought through.

 

[Rob Foster]

I react within 5 mins to a shard of copper anywhere in my hands, fingers or wrist (using roller cutter) ...I just bite it out till it bleeds and roll on so we are all different and lets face it there are loads of chemicals in plumbing and heating when you sit down and fink about it
centralheatking

 

[N plumber]

I usually use Black Mamba , roughly cost around £15 for box of 100

 

[N plumber]

But ensure to take it off while soldering

 

[DrPipe]

I saw one flux which doesn't irritates skin and joint looks always shiny,I am interesting for which one it is!I know that is more expensive than typicall.
Any clues?