Turpentine Allergy
Turpentine is a solvent mainly used in varnishing and oil paints. Turpentine can be made artificially or can also be extracted from pine resin. Turpentine contains pinene and some other terpenes, this adds the property in turpentine of being a solvent. Some people get allergic to turpentine when they come in contact with turpentine or when turpentine is inhaled may be because of occupational reasons. If a person is allergic to turpentine and if he comes in contact with turpentine then an immediate allergic reaction is seen. In few cases the reaction can be seen little late, that actually depends on how sensitive your body is to turpentine and how much turpentine is exposed to your body. Some people are allergic to turpentine and oil paints.
Turpentine allergy symptoms
Headaches, rhinitis as mouth, nasal and ear reaction, anxiety, gastric upset, eye reaction like conjunctivitis, skin reaction like contact dermatitis etc.
Tests to identify turpentine allergy
- Patch test
- Symptom diary
Turpentine allergy treatments
Avoid coming in contact with turpentine. Try to use protective equipments such as gloves and mask, to avoid irritation and getting an allergic reaction to your body because of turpentine.
Medications for turpentine allergy:
There are different medicines for different allergic reactions, here are some of the following:
- Conjunctivitis: sympathomimetics, cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium, antihistamines.
- Gastric upset: Any paracetamol or painkiller is better then aspirin. Some people also show allergy symptoms to aspirin.
- Headache
- Rhinitis: immunotherapy, antihistamines, decongestants.
- Contact dermatitis: antihistamines, steroids. Coal tar and emollients can also be used as an OTC remedy.
- Anxiety: beta-blockers, benzodiazepenes.
Alternative remedies for turpentine allergy
- Herbalism Treatment: This remedy can be given to following irritations or symptoms conjunctivitis, gastric upset, headache, anxiety, contact dermatitis etc.
- Homeopathy treatment: This treatment can be given to following symptoms conjunctivitis, headache, contact dermatitis etc.
- Aromatherapy: This treatment is very effective and is given to symptoms like gastric upset, contact dermatitis etc.
