What would you do? I love wood stove, GF has wood allergies...

[project240]

This past summer we bought/moved to a new house and shortly afterwards I installed a wood insert. I love wood heat and so does she, although we're finally learning she may have a bit of an allergy to either the wood/dust. We've taken a break from burning a couple times (among many other things) to try to pinpoint the allergy and the source. Seems pretty clear that whenever we're not burning she is fine, but whenever we do she develops snuffy nose, watery eyes; normal allergy symptoms.

By no means are her allergies very serious, but they definitely are very noticeable. We had been planning to install a second larger stove and heat solely with wood in the coming years, but now I'm not so sure. I really want to continue on burning, but obviously am concerned with this situation.

What would you do? Cut back, quit, air purifier, Reactine...?

I'm sure others may have encountered this situation at one point or another, so I"m curious to hear what you did to resolve/cope?

Thanks

 

[PNWBurner]

Well, I guess it depends on which one keeps you warmer

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Have you tried to see if it's a specific species that she's allergic to or just wood in general?

 

[granpajohn]

Points on allergies in general:

1. An allergist can help deterimine what the real allergy is. e.g. mold on wood, dust from wood, dust from ash, or something else. Then, you can work to eliminate or reduce it. By merely stopping the burning, you may be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

2. Medications used to combat allergies, especially asthma....On first blush, it always seems desirous to eliminate the source, rather than treat the symptom. Would it not be better to give away a pet, (for example), than to keep the pet and go on a regimen of medicine? Answer; Yes, but not always. The patient then finds herself susceptible to symptoms when visiting other homes or public places.

So, as in case 2 above; this may be a blessing in disguise, to attack and treat this allergy; not hide from it.

As you may guess, I speak from experience.

One last thing; after living with something like this for years, you may find that the medicines available to treat it advance and become much more acceptable to live with. Thus the risk analysis of item 2 above can change. (Again, I speak from experience.)

Hope that helps some.

 

[gzecc]

I assume you are not stacking/storing any wood in the house? Do you smell smoke during its use?
What specifically could she be allergic to. Are you bringing moldy wood or nice dry splits?
I don't think its possible to be allergic to wood. Smoke, on the other hand is an irritant which could cause your issues. How is your draft?

 

[begreen]

Some nut trees, like walnut can bring on an allergic reaction. I would try to isolate the cause. If the stove is tight and no leaks, it may be outgassing of paint from the stove or stove pipe or burning dust on the stove.

 

[zzr7ky]

I agree with the above suggestions.

If you have the room you might look into outdoor boilers.

 

[granpajohn]

Does it improve when she leaves the stove room?

Does it worsen if she just hangs around the woodpile for a while?

You could put a bunch of wood splits in the back seat of her car, then see if she gets symptoms while driving.
Try same with different species of wood.

If you smoke a cigar; does it cause the same effect? (Dont' smoke? Try it for the sake of your loved one. Just once.)

A true wood allergy must be so rare. Most of the house is built from wood. The table we eat from, the nightstand, doors and trim, floors; heck, even the pencil we used as kids.

 

[DanCorcoran]

As with most subjects on this forum, we'll need photos both of the stove and the GF...

 

[Highbeam]

If my wife was allergic to my wood then we wouldn't have so many children! She is obviously not allergic to real wood. You are in a new house and this is the first winter, who knows what the allergen is. I was "diagnosed" with allergies to several pollens, a few foods, dogs, and dust mites. I found that when the house is cool, I am fine, but that when I heat it up such as when burning wood, that I would get stuffy. Don't know if it was the heat alone, or if the heat was causing dust to be stirred up or whatever.

What I'm getting at is that you don't know what the allergy is yet. You're in a new house with potential mold, dust mites, animal dander, etc. already in it. Before going to such extremes as stopping wood burning, you would be well served to visit the allergy doctor. In my case it was the Ear,nose,throat doctor which has a fancy name but I never learned it.

 

[Flatbedford]

Quick answer; Replace girlfriend.

 

[ansehnlich1]

As with most subjects on this forum, we'll need photos both of the stove and the GF...

Yep, post pics of both and we'll tell ya which one to keep

or, burn coal.

 

[wood-fan-atic]

Quick answer; Replace girlfriend.

NICE!!

But,seriously... My wife had 'allergic' reactions to our woodburning stoves,also. We got 2 ionic air purifiers and a humidifier, and "PRESTO".....no more symptoms....shes fine now. An allergist is the first place to start,though. They will isolate EXACTLY what causes her symptoms,and you can go on from there.

 

[yooperdave]

This past summer we bought/moved to a new house and shortly afterwards I installed a wood insert. I love wood heat and so does she, although we're finally learning she may have a bit of an allergy to either the wood/dust. We've taken a break from burning a couple times (among many other things) to try to pinpoint the allergy and the source. Seems pretty clear that whenever we're not burning she is fine, but whenever we do she develops snuffy nose, watery eyes; normal allergy symptoms.

By no means are her allergies very serious, but they definitely are very noticeable. We had been planning to install a second larger stove and heat solely with wood in the coming years, but now I'm not so sure. I really want to continue on burning, but obviously am concerned with this situation.

What would you do? Cut back, quit, air purifier, Reactine...?

I'm sure others may have encountered this situation at one point or another, so I"m curious to hear what you did to resolve/cope?

Thanks

first, how old is she??? if she is 40, trade her in for 2-20's...........

 

[Adios Pantalones]

If it's a sniffle type reaction, rather than a skin reaction, consider that the stove may dry the air and that may be part of the reason. Even some skin problems may be from dry air. Most allergens do better at very low and very high humidity- try a humidifier and see what happens.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Are you sure it's an allergy? maybe it's just the dryer air?

 

[project240]

Well, I guess it depends on which one keeps you warmer

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Have you tried to see if it's a specific species that she's allergic to or just wood in general?

Well, if I had to pick one or the other, I would definitely choose her, but I'm greedy and want both.

We've burnt elm, poplar, and pine mostly and so far it doesn't seem to matter what I'm burning... symptoms seem to appear shortly after.

 

[project240]

Points on allergies in general:

1. An allergist can help deterimine what the real allergy is. e.g. mold on wood, dust from wood, dust from ash, or something else. Then, you can work to eliminate or reduce it. By merely stopping the burning, you may be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

2. Medications used to combat allergies, especially asthma....On first blush, it always seems desirous to eliminate the source, rather than treat the symptom. Would it not be better to give away a pet, (for example), than to keep the pet and go on a regimen of medicine? Answer; Yes, but not always. The patient then finds herself susceptible to symptoms when visiting other homes or public places.

So, as in case 2 above; this may be a blessing in disguise, to attack and treat this allergy; not hide from it.

As you may guess, I speak from experience.

One last thing; after living with something like this for years, you may find that the medicines available to treat it advance and become much more acceptable to live with. Thus the risk analysis of item 2 above can change. (Again, I speak from experience.)

Hope that helps some.

Points taken. I'm trying to source the problem/cause initially by myself, but obviously a specialist could definitely help to pinpoint the cause/solution.

 

[project240]

I assume you are not stacking/storing any wood in the house? Do you smell smoke during its use?
What specifically could she be allergic to. Are you bringing moldy wood or nice dry splits?
I don't think its possible to be allergic to wood. Smoke, on the other hand is an irritant which could cause your issues. How is your draft?

We do stack about a week's worth of wood inside the house, but unless the stove is burning, she's never been affected by it; which leads me to believe it is more than likely ash/dust from the stove. Our draft is pretty strong and rarely do we get any smoke in the house.

 

[project240]

Quick answer; Replace girlfriend.

NICE!!

But,seriously... My wife had 'allergic' reactions to our woodburning stoves,also. We got 2 ionic air purifiers and a humidifier, and "PRESTO".....no more symptoms....shes fine now. An allergist is the first place to start,though. They will isolate EXACTLY what causes her symptoms,and you can go on from there.

I just purchased an air purifier to put in the stove room today. Purchased this one http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...tra+Clean+Air+Purifier%2C+Large.jsp?locale=en from Home Depot today on clearance for $62.00. We'll see if this helps...

 

[project240]

If it's a sniffle type reaction, rather than a skin reaction, consider that the stove may dry the air and that may be part of the reason. Even some skin problems may be from dry air. Most allergens do better at very low and very high humidity- try a humidifier and see what happens.

We do have a humidifier constantly running in the house, but even I still notice the air is very dry. Might be wise to either grab a second one or a kettle for the stove to help out.

 

[project240]

Thanks for all of the responses guys. It's definitely appreciated and gives us a few more things to consider.

 

[maverick06]

time to upgrade to girlfriend version 2.0!

Give a air purifier a shot. I have one just to keep down dust and anything else thats floating!

I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-502...E7RY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299883965&sr=8-2

Its great, also helps circulate the hot air. I definitely have noticed a lot less dust moving around, and the filters get disgustingly dirty! Good think they are reusable!

 

[fire_man]

first, how old is she??? if she is 40, trade her in for 2-20's...........

You mean so they can load the woodstove twice as fast without sneezing, right?

 

[johnnycomelately]

Sell the stove and give her" the wood"

 

[Jimbob]

A whole thread and no pics yet.....:-/