Hey Everyone, I've got a bit of an odd question. Does anybody else get really bad allergies when opening and assembling infinity miniatures? I know it sounds strange and I didn't quite put 2 and 2 together at first, but I have now opened and assembled 100+ infinity minis and every time I do so I get an allergic reaction that causes me to sneeze and sniffle. My assumption is that there is something in the assembly process that gets its way into the boxes that my body doesn't like. This of course does nothing to slow down my mini addiction. I just thought I would ask if anybody else has experienced something similar. Here's to hoping I'm alone in my discomfort.
Use gloves? Mask? Infinity miniatures have small amounts of lead. They come in foam which can catch all kind of things. Do you have any known allergy? Crabs and other sea things, peanuts, house dust, inks... Are the miniatures from different shops or always same one? Maybe it's something caught in the travel/storage. Does it happens with other metal minis too? Do you have the problem with the glue alone (no minis, just glue)?
Is it possible you're allergic to the glue? The mini's may have some residue of some cleaning agent that helps them come off their mold but usually it's cleaned off quite well though if you're having a consistent enough reaction it could be something that they use in the process. I hope you get it sorted
Not miniatures, but there is other stuff in the hobby that can cause sich reactions in my experience. Do you work with Miliput? As i know it can cause that reaction if you work with it bare handed. There may be other stuff which can cause problems for you.
Interesting possibilities. I'll have to pay closer attention in the future. It definitely seems to flare up shortly after opening boxed minis and won't go away until the boxes are no longer in the room. I've had unpainted minis on my desk for long periods of time with no issue. The glue also sits on my desk and I occasionally use it on other things like bases and don't remember having any reaction to it.
I definitely have a medically identified dust allergy. That and dogs, which makes less sense. I've received Infinity minis from probably half a dozen different places with the same result. As this is the only miniature game I play currently I don't know if other metal minis cause the same issue.
Yeah, if you have a problem with dust, the foam, and even the corrugated cardboard, are the first suspects. They could had been stored in a dusty place before the packaging process.
They must use some sort of special artisinal, small batch, Spanish dust that's setting your allergies off. My other guess is possibly pollen, but that would tend to be seasonal so only boxes packed in spring/Summer would affect you. I wonder if you'd have similar issues with other Spanish products like Customeeple or Knight models.
Have you worked with other metal minis or just plastic? My completely wild guess would be some slight allergy to the mold release. Get one of these. Drop the minis in them straight from the packaging, bases and all metal, into the colander. Fill you sink with a couple inches of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Rinse well, let dry on a paper towel over night. That should take any left over mold release off.
is it when you saw file or clear the flash off minis?| Could be the lead content, pretty sure spain uses a higher lead concentration in their white metal
Elemental or alloyed lead isn't a likely allergen. It is toxic, though file-dust is on the large side for getting into your lungs. You really should wash thoroughly scrub your hands and forearms after filing minis, though. But that comment did bring another thought to my mind: it could be whatever CB is using for mold release that you're allergic to.
most people wont recognize the difference between an allergic reaction and a rash brought on by fine particulates, the kind that are generated by filling and sawing metal. Thats why I was suggesting it. But sure, mold release is another possibility. Point is, gloves, warm soapy water wash, fresh water wash, then mask while you prep
If a dust allergy is present and the symptoms are sneezing and coughing my bet would be on the foam or mold release agent, too. Maybe get one of those cheap filter masks and when you unpack your next batch of minis get rid of the foam asap and clean the minis before working with them. Pfff! Add some soap and water to blister and shake it.
Easy, it's the guy from Call of Duty. But the average wargamer also uses dice with a mere six sides, miniatures made from mundane plastic and has barely any tactical rocks. Bloody plebs, I tell you!
