How to Stop Fiberglass Itching

The main material inside fiberglass consists of small strand fibers of glass particles. Other materials include minerals such as silica sand and limestone, depending on the type of insulation. The itch a person gets from working around fiberglass is a direct result of the glass fiber particles entering into the skin pores. The small particles of glass irritate the skin pores and cause the itching sensation. Most itches can be prevented by wearing the proper clothing and safety equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Cold water
• Hot water
• Clean rag
• Long sleeve shirt
• Respirator
• Protective gloves

Instructions

1. Go to a shower and turn on the water. Adjust the temperature of the water to get it as cold as you can stand it.

2. Stand under the cold water and let it rinse any fiberglass particles off of the outside surface of your skin. The cold water will close your skin pores and it will only allow the fiberglass on the skin surface to be removed. Do not wipe with a rag. Just stand under the cold water until your entire body has been rinsed.

3. Stand back from the shower head and adjust the water temperature to get it as hot as you can stand it. Stand under the hot water and let it rinse your entire body. The hot water will open your skin pores so that the fiberglass particles can be wiped away.

4. Grab a rag and saturate it with the hot water. Starting with your arms, make downward wiping motions from your shoulders to your hands with the rag. As the rag is making a downward motion against the skin pores, it will pull the fiberglass out of the pores and the water will wash it off of your body. Do not move the rag back and forth against the skin. This will just push the fiberglass particles deeper into the pores. Only use downward wiping motions.

5. Move to a different area of your body and continue to use the downward wiping motion with the rag against your skin until your entire body has been wiped down. Adjust the water back to a cool setting and rinse your body off without wiping. The cool setting will close your pores again to prevent any lingering fiberglass from getting back into the skin pores. Continue rinsing with the cool water for three to five minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a long sleeve shirt, protective gloves and a respirator when working around fiberglass to prevent the particles from getting into body's skin pores.

• Wear safety glasses to prevent the fiberglass particles from getting into your eyes.

References

• "Stable-R stabilized fiberglass attic insulation Instruction Packet; Skin Care Tips;" Guardian Fiberglass Inc; 2006
• Home Remedies: What to do when your skin is exposed and irritated by fiber glass

Resources

• Healthy House Institute: Fiberglass Insulation: Use With Care