UKC

ive recently started climbing, at the moment im doing a lot of bouldering and indoor climbing to build up my technique and finger strength.
Im making what i would consider to be good progress as im happy with it, and more importantly i really enjoy conquering problems.

However, everytime i go climbing i get an allergic rash on my hands and fingers. im pretty sure that this is due to the chalk and it usually dissapears after a few doses of anti-histamines.

it isnt painfull but v.irritating, does anyone know of any alternatives i could use?

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: I favor powdered troll myself...

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: dont know if liguid chalk is any different, but its worth a try lol, if not then god knows lol

In reply to Undertow: that was both constructive and intelligent... you must be really proud...

In reply to Liam Copley: Thanks, never thought of that. will give it a go.

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: was just thinking that even if you used an alternative to chalk your skin would be irritated by the chalk on the holds anyway

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

Might not help if you're very sensitive and it's residual chalk on the holds (rather than your own) that's causing you problems?

In reply to Undertow: true but much less so, as i wouldnt be covering my hands in it frequently.

In reply to Undertow:

[Beaten to it!]

OTOH, that's not going to be immersing them like dipping into your own chalk bag?

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: yeah thats what it thought of, as it drys your hands up so you dont have to keep chalking up.

ps i always wash my hands and then dry them before using it so no grase starts to come through

In reply to Liam Copley:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=liquid+chalk+ingredients
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=climbing+chalk+ingredients

'Chalk Allergies? I Need Some Advice!':
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.html?topic_id=618498
(Currently #5 in that second Google search.)

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

Have you tried rubbing chalk on them at home, see if it's the act of climbing or the chalk that upsets your skin? I find it hard to imagine your skin being that sensitive to chalk but then some people react to the strangest things.

You may find it's just abrasion and some moisturiser will help. Indoor climbing makes my hands dry and angry, chalk or no chalk.

Can you get barrier cream that dries properly? (I've never used it so it may not be suitable, it is however designed specifically to protect skin against iritants).

jk

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

Be careful with liquid chalk, a lot of them contain roisin (pof resin) thats not declared on the label, which can cause an allergic reaction in itself as well. TBH, Id have thought liquid chalk could be more irritating than chalk alone, as the drying effect of the alcohol may well make your hands more susceptible to the irritating effects of chalk, as it strips out a lot of the skin oils that protect you. Worth a try though if it helps!

Im allergic in a similar way to POF used in france. Found wiping my hands with baby wipes every hour or so was enough to keep the allergy at bay with a daily antihistamine.

In reply to jkarran:

Th only barrier creams I personally found dried enough to climb were industrial and very expensive. Ok for my font trips, but probably not great for regular climbing :oS

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: What kind of chalk do you use. Super Chalk has additives (anti antiperspirants) as I am sure a few other brands do. Some brands have no additives.

In reply to The Climbing Works:

I'd second that. Several people I know have had allergy problems with super-chalk.

It is possible to climb without using chalk BTW

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: How about using talcom powder instead - and you'll smell nice!

In reply to The Climbing Works:
no idea mate, picked it up from a climbing shop its one of the ones that comes in nylon sock type thing (poor description i know)

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

I used to get a reaction too. Started using Hemp hand cream from the body shop after climbing and the next day and not had a problem since!

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

I have eczema (as well as all the other typical atopic problems: asthma, allergic rhinitis, sun-activated dermatitis etc.) and have had problems with chalk from time to time. This tends to be mostly a problem indoors (I guess as my fingers sweat more indoors and so I use more chalk). It was worst when I was using Metolius Super Chalk as it has a drying agent, so I would recommend you not using that.

Aside from that, wash your hands at the wall when you are finished climbing. When you get back home wash again and use a dermatological moisturiser (E45 or similar).

No idea whether it is coincidental or not, but seem to have less problems since moving to using loose chalk rather than chalk balls.

In reply to TRNovice:



Hang on a minute. Did we just agree on something? Something amiss there surely?

In reply to i.munro:

Unlikely as it may seem, I believe we did .

In reply to Terminal_Velocity: you could try metolius eco balls - not sure what's in them though

In reply to dan1987:

Possibly the same mystery ingedient as their super-chalk??

In reply to TRNovice:

Should also add that the loose chalk I use is just magnesium carbonate and nothing else.

In reply to TRNovice: No it's not. Chalk is a hydrate of magnesium carbonate, its got some OH groups and some H20 groups added to the basic MgCO3 stuff.

In reply to Terminal_Velocity:

Could well be Metolius Super Chalk, but then it might not. On the Super chalk packaging it does recommend washing hands and moisturising immediately after use.