Am I Allergic to Homebrewing?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by BuffaloFenian, Apr 20, 2015.

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  1. BuffaloFenian

    BuffaloFenian Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2013 New York

    Just had a pretty unsettling experience yesterday during brewing. I was stirring in my LME/DME for my 3rd batch (in this case an IPA) when my friend asked me if I wasn't feeling well. Since he sounded pretty concerned, I went to a mirror and saw a pretty significant rash forming on all the exposed skin that was above the boil kettle (face, neck, ears). A bright red, blotchy coloration on the surface of the skin. I took a mild anti-allergy pill, avoided leaning over the kettle and the "rash" went away within about 15-20 minutes.

    I don't believe I was over the boil any longer than previous batches, so my questions are:

    -Has anyone heard of an allergic reaction to DME/LME?
    -Anyone have a similar experience when directly above the boil kettle?
    -Am I screwed?

    I'm really not terribly concerned unless I find that I am allergic to certain malts AFTER the boil. Just an interesting and perhaps funny story I thought some of you may enjoy! -Cheers!
     
    #1 BuffaloFenian, Apr 20, 2015
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  2. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Could have been a heat rash?
     
    #2 MrOH, Apr 20, 2015
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  3. BuffaloFenian

    BuffaloFenian Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2013 New York

    Interesting. Hadn't thought of that. I guess I have never really spent that much time hovering over nearly boiling water. I had probably been above the kettle for 6+ minutes when I was told about it.
     
    #3 BuffaloFenian, Apr 20, 2015
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  4. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    You obviously didn't feel any itching or burning sensations on your skin? Interesting though. I like the heat rash theory, not that I know anything. :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #4 ronobvious2, Apr 20, 2015
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  5. Lukass

    Lukass Pooh-Bah (2,891) Dec 16, 2012 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Was it itchy? I would say heat rash as well. I get this same thing from sweating after exercise. Not that that happens a lot, but...
     
    #5 Lukass, Apr 20, 2015
  6. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Put some DME on your skin for a few minutes and see if anything happens.
     
    #6 PapaGoose03, Apr 20, 2015
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  7. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    I've burnt the tip of my nose getting too close to the kettle. This lead me to believe the steam from the kettle and the heat from the 55,000btu burner are hot. :flushed:
     
    #7 Brew_Betty, Apr 20, 2015
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  8. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Lucky for you hazmat suits come in a variety of colors. Choose your favorite and get back to it.
     
    #8 inchrisin, Apr 21, 2015
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  9. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Too bad Weyermann doesn't sell those red overalls.
     
    #9 pweis909, Apr 21, 2015
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  10. Gary_Oak

    Gary_Oak Initiate (0) May 5, 2015 Connecticut

    If you were allergic to anything I'd think it would be whatever you were using for sanitizer maybe use a q tip of it on your skin and see what happens
     
    #10 Gary_Oak, May 6, 2015
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