Sandpaper allergy??
July 8, 2011 11:25 AM Subscribe
Why do I feel like I'm allergic to sandpaper??
Sandpaper has always made my skin crawl. Touching it or even thinking too had about it gives me a skin crawling, goose-bump, disgusted reaction. I've also reacted this way to strong velcro in the past. It feels like the way people describe their reactions to fingernails on a chalkboard, although that never really bothered me that much. Today I had to go to a paint store to buy sanding sponges and it was so bad I felt like I was almost going to throw up. What the hell is my deal? Anyone else have these reactions? Anyone have any clue what this could be about?
Thanks in advance, hive-mind.
Sandpaper has always made my skin crawl. Touching it or even thinking too had about it gives me a skin crawling, goose-bump, disgusted reaction. I've also reacted this way to strong velcro in the past. It feels like the way people describe their reactions to fingernails on a chalkboard, although that never really bothered me that much. Today I had to go to a paint store to buy sanding sponges and it was so bad I felt like I was almost going to throw up. What the hell is my deal? Anyone else have these reactions? Anyone have any clue what this could be about?
Thanks in advance, hive-mind.
This sounds like some sort of weird strain of OCD. If this really bothers you, google "exposure therapy," and/or read this.
posted by lobbyist at 11:37 AM on July 8, 2011
posted by lobbyist at 11:37 AM on July 8, 2011
People can have weird somatic reactions to sensory stimuli. Me, I just about gag every time I smell Kraft mac 'n cheese. You apparently don't like sandpaper. Whatevs.
This isn't an allergy though. An allergic reaction is where your body generates an overzealous immune response to an otherwise harmless foreign agent, leading to itching and swelling. Whatever this is--and I'm going with idiosyncratic eccentricity--it's not that.
posted by valkyryn at 11:43 AM on July 8, 2011
This isn't an allergy though. An allergic reaction is where your body generates an overzealous immune response to an otherwise harmless foreign agent, leading to itching and swelling. Whatever this is--and I'm going with idiosyncratic eccentricity--it's not that.
posted by valkyryn at 11:43 AM on July 8, 2011
Response by poster: To be clear, I'm not terribly worried about this, just mostly curious if anyone else experiences this or has any ideas as to where something like this would come from.
The only real problem I face is potentially sounding like a tool when I explain to people that I'd rather not do any sanding as it makes me feel all weirdly...
posted by garethspor at 11:47 AM on July 8, 2011
The only real problem I face is potentially sounding like a tool when I explain to people that I'd rather not do any sanding as it makes me feel all weirdly...
posted by garethspor at 11:47 AM on July 8, 2011
Best answer: Yes, I once had exactly that reaction trying to buy a sanding sponge. I was trying to read the labels and compare prices and figure out which was best for my project, but suddenly a squicky shiver slid down my spine and I just grabbed one and got out of that aisle lickedy-split. Holding just one sponge, and using it, was no problem. For me, it was something about the evil sound they make when they all rub together, hissing and muttering. It's like the sound of your enemies, plotting nasty conspiracies against you. Or something.
If you just tell people you're allergic to the dust, you can still pass for sane.
posted by Corvid at 1:05 PM on July 8, 2011
If you just tell people you're allergic to the dust, you can still pass for sane.
posted by Corvid at 1:05 PM on July 8, 2011
I have this reaction to unglazed pottery. It makes me shake my head and grind my teeth just thinking about it. I just refuse to handle clay pots or porcelain dolls. Ugh.
posted by hydrobatidae at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by hydrobatidae at 1:14 PM on July 8, 2011 [2 favorites]
I think this is pretty common. For example, my ex-husband could not STAND the way it feels when you pull apart a cotton ball.
The answer to the "why" part might be something similar to the fingernails-on-chalkboard explanation: it's a vestigial reflex. When the chalkboard thing was researched, scientists found that the waveforms of the scraping noise were similar to the waveforms of the warning cries of macaque monkeys, and posited that the spine-tingling/immediate annoyance comes from our primate roots.
We're wired to register disgust at certain sights and smells, which helps us avoid infection, spoiled food, etc. Maybe somewhere on the evolutionary path, there was something that felt like sandpaper/unglazed pottery/butter spoons that was beneficial to avoid.
posted by Specklet at 2:13 PM on July 8, 2011 [4 favorites]
The answer to the "why" part might be something similar to the fingernails-on-chalkboard explanation: it's a vestigial reflex. When the chalkboard thing was researched, scientists found that the waveforms of the scraping noise were similar to the waveforms of the warning cries of macaque monkeys, and posited that the spine-tingling/immediate annoyance comes from our primate roots.
We're wired to register disgust at certain sights and smells, which helps us avoid infection, spoiled food, etc. Maybe somewhere on the evolutionary path, there was something that felt like sandpaper/unglazed pottery/butter spoons that was beneficial to avoid.
posted by Specklet at 2:13 PM on July 8, 2011 [4 favorites]
Some sensory stimuli are just really unpleasant, for no apparent reason. (Me and turtlenecks are sworn enemies until the heat death of the universe.)
If you want to be able to use sandpaper without freaking out, try wearing work gloves. I swear by Atlas Fit gloves which are knitted, so they're flexible and have no bulky seams that give you blisters. The palms and fingers have a tough, grippy latex coating, and overall you get excellent comfort and dexterity but they're not so thin that you can feel the texture of the things you're handling. Plus they're machine-washable!
posted by Quietgal at 2:44 PM on July 8, 2011
If you want to be able to use sandpaper without freaking out, try wearing work gloves. I swear by Atlas Fit gloves which are knitted, so they're flexible and have no bulky seams that give you blisters. The palms and fingers have a tough, grippy latex coating, and overall you get excellent comfort and dexterity but they're not so thin that you can feel the texture of the things you're handling. Plus they're machine-washable!
posted by Quietgal at 2:44 PM on July 8, 2011
I'm like this to cotton balls and velvet. It's definitely the nails-on-a-chalkboard reaction, most people will have them to something.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:03 PM on July 8, 2011
posted by Gordafarin at 4:03 PM on July 8, 2011
I cannot touch paper if my fingers have been just washed. The sensation of touching paper when my digits are than sensitive makes me so nauseated. Unfinished pottery and rusted metal have the same impact. I'm also one of those people who has very strong reactions to certain sounds, so hearing someone chew, smack their lips, or even just thinking about any of the above things sends an intense shiver down my spine.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:57 PM on July 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:57 PM on July 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, and wet or dry wooden utensils? Kill them with fire. My boyfriend wont let me use his special pots and pans any more because I refuse to use wooden utensils with them (they get scratched by regular metal stuff).
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:59 PM on July 8, 2011
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 10:59 PM on July 8, 2011
I have this reaction to unglazed pottery
me too. it's just an unpleasant texture. I also hate when something squeaks against my teeth. An overenthusiastic dental hygenist can drive me completely nuts.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:21 AM on July 9, 2011
me too. it's just an unpleasant texture. I also hate when something squeaks against my teeth. An overenthusiastic dental hygenist can drive me completely nuts.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 1:21 AM on July 9, 2011
Best answer: Reading this thread and just thinking about you thinking about sandpaper has caused me to develop exactly the same feeling. So you are not alone.
posted by whitewall at 5:28 AM on July 9, 2011
posted by whitewall at 5:28 AM on July 9, 2011
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My mom absolutely CAN NOT handle the sight of a wooden butter spoon (used lots in Sweden) being cleaned off by swiping across the plate or whatnot.
I guess what I'm saying is, some people just have these quirks, so I don't think you're a total freak. In general, I avoid green beans, handling balloons, and wet sneakers on squeaky floors. Just have other folks do your sanding for you!
posted by Grither at 11:34 AM on July 8, 2011