Strange reaction from shooting

[C6H6]

Hello Ladies,
I've been noticing a reaction after going shooting. My skin, especially face and hands turn bright red at the range and for a while after leaving the range. At first I thought it was because it was hot out, but the last couple of times the weather has been mild and I was under a covered shooting area. Has anyone ever seen this or had this same reaction? I'm wondering if I'm having some kind of reaction to the gases?

[tlcwrites]

Can't say I've ever seen or heard of this, but I know from experience that bright red skin can be a histamine reaction. I think I'd be talking to my doctor if this was happening to me. Antihistamines might help, but if it is a histamine reaction you run a non-zero risk of serious complications....

[Rider1k]

^^^ this. I agree with the histamine issue. I get some issues sometimes on certain job sites. I do construction..... Occasionally i will get really red in the bend of my arm and around my neck when demoing old woods . Goes away after a hour or two of exposure and a shower. Wondering if this is the same issue ?

[movie zombie]

outdoor range? could also be a reaction to trees, grasses, etc.

[C6H6]

Update: I saw my doctor about this and she suggested I try taking Benadryl - which I told her was probably a bad idea to mix with guns. So I will try Claritin next time to see if it helps. We also think it might be a carbon monoxide reaction. I will need to buy an alarm and do some more testing.

[seal20]

Are you shooting a pistol or rifle?

[C6H6]

Pistol, but I was also standing next to rifle shooters.

[Horton Fenty]

Are you touching your face at any time with your hands? Maybe next time your at the range either wear gloves or don't touch your face at all, try and narrow it down to something your actually touching or something in the air.

[BigFatGuy]

Costco and Sams Club both sell bulk packs of OTC anti-histamine pills (zyrtec and the like). These aren't life-savers, but they do work pretty well as long as you take one a day.

[Darklyte27]

Dont hold your breath! jk

Are you a person who stays indoors a lot or go out much?
Could be some kind of skin irritation? Do you have any known allergies?

[BonnieB]

Update: I saw my doctor about this and she suggested I try taking Benadryl - which I told her was probably a bad idea to mix with guns. So I will try Claritin next time to see if it helps. We also think it might be a carbon monoxide reaction. I will need to buy an alarm and do some more testing.

It is true that being near a carbon monoxide source will turn your face bright cherry red and you will start to feel woozy and tired. Is there by chance a generator near your range? Maybe large diesel motors without emissions controls? Carbon monoxide doesn't just appear, it needs a source like a gasoline motor or other mechanical device. I don't think a CO2 detector will help you, but it won't do any harm and it's good to have in your house.

In any case, I'd go and shoot the same guns and ammo at a different range and see what happens. No antihistamines when running that test.

You don't mention if the red areas itch. If they don't itch, it's probably not an allergy. Go by your doctor's advice on this.

Also wondering if you wash your face and hands, as we all should after shooting, with soap the range provides. That's another opportunity for reaction, as is a special shooting shirt, hat, etc.

Is there poison ivy or poison oak in the area? Even if you don't touch it, when they mow, the oils get into the air and can get on you. (Same reason you never burn poison ivy or poison oak)

I would start removing variables one at a time to discover what makes the difference.

[Commando Barbie]

Hi, brand spanky new here.
I was just reading through some of the post and this thread caught my eye.
Has anyone considered if this is a lead reaction? I always wash asap after shooting or teaching, and have my clients wipe too with the lead wipes.
The OP's reaction seems to be limited to the areas exposed to the blowback. And hands and face can be especially sensitive.
Perhaps putting on a benedryl cream to the exposed areas, wearing long sleeves when possible, may help. I had a client once who was allergic to the lead and powder residue.

[movie zombie]

welcome, CB!
a topical to create a barrier prior to shooting is a good idea....especially a barrier with an antihistamine init.

[BonnieB]

Anything new on the strange reaction to shooting?

[C6H6]

I am at an outdoor range and I am allergic to trees, grasses, etc. However...that is usually immediately accompanied by unstoppable sneezing, itchy eyes, etc. I do not have any itchiness or other "allergic" reactions. The range is pretty sparse when it comes to plants where I am at.

I did some research and it turns out that carbon monoxide is a component of the gases released from shooting. There are special ventilation requirements to reduce CO exposure at indoor ranges. I have experience headaches and flu like symptoms after shooting which are side effects of carbon monoxide. It is possible it is a lead reaction as well. I am always wearing long sleeves when at the range to reduce my exposure to hot brass and any lead.

I haven't had any updates as I've been too busy to get back to the range. I will update if I have any more developments. I will try a combination of things such as being at the range without shooting. Being at the range with the CO monitor. Being at the range with Claritin in my system, etc. It will take a while to do all these tests since the nearest outdoor range is an hour away.