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.