Can the chemicals give you allergy?

[btgc]

Why not latex gloves?
I think I'm using one for washing prints - without glove my palm dropped skin. Now I also keep prints in water batch before washing them.

 

[nonot]

Yes, you can develop allergies to chemicals and natural substances of almost any kind. I developed a respiratory allergy to oil paint from about 5 years of consistently painting with it, which in the world of oil painting is not very long at all. Ventilation was a huge issue that I didn't pay much attention to until it was too late, be careful.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Why not latex gloves?

Latex is a very common allergen itself. I'd even say you're more likely to develop a latex allergy than the film chemistry allergy that you're trying to prevent. A cure that's worse than the disease, in other words.

 

[DRabbit]

You said you turned your bathroom into a darkroom. Any cleaning or construction (even if minor)?

Is it possible that you have mold or mildew, and the process of converting your bathroom stirred it up and caused the allergy/breathing problems? Mold and mildew are VERY common issues in bathrooms, and a very common cause of respiratory issues.

 

[JohnnyT]

I had to stop doing wet print because of that!

The stop bath was killing me!

 

[robklurfield]

I bought my first set of film processing chemicals (Rodinal, Photoflo, Kodak Stop and Fix) in 25 years this past weekend. I have not mixed or opened anything yet, but I have already felt some twitchiness in my asthmatic lungs from one of the still-sealed packages. Not sure which it is that's doing it.

For people with respiratory issues, it doesn't take much to make you symptomatic (even a strong perfume with certain scents on my wife can do it; I try to give her ones that don't bother me as Valentines Day gifts to avoid problems; she never complains; go figure).

If Al said he chain smoked in his darkroom, I believe him. Maybe he enjoyed it, but I can't imagine it did much for his health.

 

[payasam]

Metol Dermatitis is well known.

 

[MartinP]

I had to stop doing wet print because of that! The stop bath was killing me!

So stop using stop-bath (replace it with water) or switch to a citric acid based bath instead of the usual acetic acid versions.

There are always plenty of options, but I'm fairly sure what the assistant in the 'photographic' shop selling digital cameras would say . . .

 

[Henk]

Yep,

I got an allergy (skin) about 1,5 years ago. Since then I wear thin medical latex gloves,
which I hardly notice wearing and have no problem whatsover.

 

[sevo]

Latex is a very common allergen itself. I'd even say you're more likely to develop a latex allergy than the film chemistry allergy that you're trying to prevent. A cure that's worse than the disease, in other words.

Besides, latex is rather membranous and most useful as a biological barrier. The small molecules in photo chemicals may pass the thin latex film of a glove within minutes. Vinyl or nitrile medical gloves are better when it comes to chemical exposure.

Sevo