Thread: Cutting elaeagnus pungens-got ill

We had a 3m high Alaeagnus hedge to hit hard, it had been left for a few years. So we took to it with power pruner, 066 with 36 inch bar, hedge trimmer and loppers to tidy it up. Its was spiky and dead in a few patches, a bit of dust while chipping it. Then when cleaning up I tried to write the invoice and couldnt see what I was writing, my vision went to crap (was wearing glasses and did "feel" like there was anythign in my eyes), I couldnt see what I was writing, like where I focused wasnt there. Then had a bad headache, so did the guy working with me.
Came home early, eyes ache but are okay, still got headache. Anyone else had this?

Well, with any allergic exposure, the first time sensitizes you to the toxin, and subsequent exposures can cause more serious reactions. You should not expose yourself or your co-worker to the remaining resins from the Silverthorn! In fact, package up that 066 in a shipping box, while wearing one of those Tyvek clean-room suits, a self-contained oxygen-supplied respirator, and eye protection and mail it to me at: Pigwot, 123 Treelined Alley, SomeTown, USA

In all seriousness, I have heard of others having mild reactions to elaeagnus pungens. So far none have ended up in the emergency department, though everyone's immune system is different and the degree of reaction isn't predictable. A fellow I worked with years ago reacted badly to the milky, latex-like sap of the Osage Orange trees. His eyes and throat would swell up, and his breathing became strident and high-pitched. A run to the doctor for a shot cleared it up, but it was still frightening.

If you are around noxious plants and bees you should consider how long it would take Emergency Medical Services to reach your work area. If it is more than ten minutes from when a call is placed for a Paramedic to arrive you should speak to your physician and obtain a prescription for an Epi-pen for your First Aid kit. Better safe than sorry.
--Pat

Oh you wouldnt want an old 066 redeye would you?

Thanks for that, figured it was something simular, a mate suggested that the deadwood could have had a fungus that when it went through the chipper spored up.
It scared me a bit, never had trouble with my vision, but it came as a big relief that my workmate had it as well, as bad as that sounds, at least it didnt mean I was having a brain clot or something!
I used to keep a few ampoles of adrenilin but they have expired, must reorder some. Thanks for that