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Is it just me? Part II: Steering Wheel Contact Allergy?!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mshappe, Sep 13, 2004.

  1. mshappe

    mshappe New Member

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    Since beginning to drive the Prius five weeks ago, I've begun to notice increasing issues with the skin of my hands. Now, at the risk of TMI, I have some skin issues in general, but this was the first time they'd shown up seriously on my hands, and they seem to be showing up exactly where my hands most contact the steering wheel!

    Anyone else with skin sensitivities notice this sort of thing?
     
  2. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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  3. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    to prove or disprove that it is the steering wheel try and wear a pair of gloves for a week of use of the car and see if it diminishes, if it does then it is the wheel. If you have skin issues it could very well be aggravated by the compounds they use in the plastic on the wheel to make it soft or any other product in the manufacture of the wheel. The use of all the controls and the Air Bag in the wheel will virtually eliminate the replacement of the wheel with some other type. Wood, chrome chain etc. Just a thought.
     
  4. mshappe

    mshappe New Member

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    I've already started wearing half-finger gloves (they're what I could find mid-trip), and plan to get a decent pair of driving gloves in the next day or so...
     
  5. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    let us know what happens long term, thanks.
     
  6. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    If it is a white am package #7, as a doctor, I can tell you, definitively, that it is an allergy and that my wife will be happy to take it off your hands (so to speak). And it just so happens that I am flying into Minneapolis this Saturday on America West arriving at 2:15. If you would be so kind as to meet me at the airport, we can expedite the transfer. :lol:
     
  7. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jchu\";p=\"39231)</div>
    Oh no the Hippocratic oath dude. Remember the moment at your graduation where you took the oath, or don't they do that any longer? The gloves are a good idea. I would suggest full finger gloves however. Maybe a great Allergist could do something but I doubt don't think so. I don't thing that they can do much about contact allergies. Given that avoiding the allergen is the best bet. Driving gloves are way cool. You have to make a project about putting them on. I would suggest acting school. Pump it up!!! People will be afraid very afraid! 8)
    P.S. maybe a nomex driving suit and a helmet is in order. Just a thought. :D
     
  8. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Or maybe just put on a leather steering wheel wrap.

    These folks have sizes for 2001-2003 and 2004+ Prii and fifteen colors. (No, I’m not affiliated - so by all means shop around)

    http://carcovers4less.com/wheelskinscover.html
     
    sturgidson likes this.
  9. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas\";p=\"39235)</div>
    Actually, there are a couple of choices. Each medical school class choose which to use. My class chose the one by Aescalapeus. (Just not sure of the spelling.)

    Jon
     
  10. mshappe

    mshappe New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jchu\";p=\"39231)</div>
    Heheheheheheh.

    Sorry. Blue 2004 #3. Very happy with it and willing to learn to enjoy driving with gloves on if that's what it takes to keep it.

    Enjoy your sojourn in the Twin Cities :-D
     
  11. mshappe

    mshappe New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas\";p=\"39235)</div>
    Oh, yeah. No question. It's just that, at the time my brain put the skin issues together with the possibility of a contact allergy, I was on a road-trip and had to take what I could easily find. My choices at the one particular truck stop I was at were either lined winter-gloves or unlined half-fingered. The latter seemed to make sense at the time.

    Last night, I picked up a nice pair of unlined leather full-finger driving gloves -- exactly of the style I was looking for -- from Wilson's.
     
  12. olends

    olends New Member

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    I swear toe thee, our god Apollo and to all the gods and godesses, when i go i go to heal, and i shall do no harm.
     
  13. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    Not sure how you managed that but actually hdrygas is the one who posted that. ("Oh no the Hippo...")
     
  14. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    In a day gone by (not!!!) This could roll over you like a wave and change your life.

    I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!
    A few folks still follow this. It was started a long long time ago but it still has power today.
     
  15. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    That's the one!!!
    Nice find hdrygas
     
  16. chimney

    chimney New Member

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    I don't drive a Prius, but I do drive a Toyota Solara and I have had the same reaction to my hands, particularly my fingertips. My dermatologist ran a battery of allergy tests and discovered that I am allergic to carbamates, which is a combination of 3 chemicals.
    One source of exposure is adhesives. It's possible that Toyota uses these adhesives to glue the leather on the steering wheel and perhaps other areas of the car interior.
    I find wearing gloves helps to eliminate the cracking and bleeding of my fingertips, but does not stop the dryness.

    Wonder if Toyota could manufacture a steering wheel that is allergy-free?
     
  17. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    +1 You would look awesome.:rockon:
    [​IMG]
     
  18. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    My skin has a serious issue with most computer mice... I cover my mice in the tape used to secure bandages... they look like mice mummies... anyway... I haven't had an issue with the wheel in the Prius, but that may be because I ordered a Wheelskin the week I bought the car.
     
  19. Shwiggy8

    Shwiggy8 New Member

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    I realize this is an old posting but got directed here after Googling my skin issues. I was diagnosed by my dermatologist with finger eczema about a year ago. My skin issues started after I got my Highlander and got much worse when I got my Prius. What did you determine in your case? Thanks, Dave.
     
  20. Shwiggy8

    Shwiggy8 New Member

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