Dr. Naval Mendiratta
Rheumatology
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I was wondering if I have a reaction to cardboard and/or the chemicals in them. About eight months ago, I started working in a warehouse working with cardboard boxes, after about a week my fingers started to tingle and bother me. The best way to describe it is like the numbness we get when we fall asleep on our hands. The only thing that would help was to ice them. After I stopped working there within a week or two everything was back to normal. I recently started working with boxes again and the same exact thing is happening to my fingers. So is there something in the cardboard that I have a reaction to? I wear work gloves. OTC pain pills did not help, bio freeze help a little. Is there anything I need to do for this to go away?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Well, the sort of complaints you are saying looks more like a nerve compression than an allergic reaction. Allergies are common in the workplace where you deal with new stuff. But in allergy, you get more skin eruptions and peeling (contact dermatitis). Since you have more symptoms of tingling and numbness, it fits in more with nerve compression. Probably due to fine motor movements you have to do, which compresses the nerve. Something like carpal tunnel syndrome.
To confirm this, we need to do NCV (nerve conduction velocity) studies. Meanwhile, I would suggest you wear a wristband while working to prevent the nerve from getting pressed. You can read up on the internet about it and let me know if your symptoms match this.
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Rheumatology
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