Unexplained itching strikes Naperville workers

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 5-24-03 | DAN ROZEK

[JustPiper]

There was a scare at Naperville's city hall early Friday after two city workers, sorting mail, suddenly developed mysterious itching on their hands and forearms.

Police and firefighters locked down the building and began a search for toxic materials that ultimately turned up nothing--though it frazzled some nerves.

As the search began, another employee, then two more, all working nearby, developed similar symptoms.

For two hours, a Naperville hazardous materials team searched the building but turned up no trace of powder or any substance that might have caused the itching. The crew tested the utility bills the Naperville Municipal Center workers were sorting, the box that's used to haul the bills and the room where the sorting took place.

"That's part of the mystery--we didn't find anything," said Naperville city spokesman Gary Karafiat.

Four city employees who complained of itching were treated at Edward Hospital. Another employee was treated by paramedics but declined to go to the hospital. None showed signs of rashes or hives, a city official said.

The search team tested for anthrax, alkaline-based chemicals and even itching powder, but by late Friday still had no answer as to what might have triggered the itching outbreak around 8:30 a.m.

"Everything came back negative," Karafiat said.

More than 100 city employees and several residents who were in the Naperville Municipal Center when emergency workers arrived about 8:45 a.m. were kept inside the building until the investigation was completed at 11 a.m.

As a precaution, police also closed the street outside the center.

Mayor George Pradel, who was in his second-floor office when emergency workers arrived, said the rapid response was reassuring.

"This all happened so quickly I didn't realize we were locked down," Pradel said. "It just reinforces that we're prepared to deal with something like this."

But Pradel, a former police officer, was surprised that no explanation for the sudden outbreak was found. "It is really strange," he said.

[JustPiper]

The search team tested for anthrax, alkaline-based chemicals and even itching powder, but by late Friday still had no answer as to what might have triggered the itching outbreak around 8:30 a.m.

"Everything came back negative," Karafiat said.

If they still had 'no answer' how then does it come back negative for anything?

[JustPiper]

Chicago Ping1! For Gramma, no this is not near him ;)

[eno_]

It's very common for symptoms, like itching and, in other situations, nausea to spread psychologically: One person spews lunch due to a bad ham sandwich, and the next guy to smell something odd also spews.

Real crises lead to real serious symptoms people can't self-induce psychologically.

[verity]

Someone wanted an extended work break?

[syriacus]

More than 100 city employees and several residents who were in the Naperville Municipal Center when emergency workers arrived about 8:45 a.m. were kept inside the building until the investigation was completed at 11 a.m.

It was probably right to keep the people there, but I get claustrophobia just thinking about being kept in a building where numerous people have unexplained itching.

[TrueBeliever9]

I wonder if they checked the door knobs of the building where these people entered...a toxic substance can be a clear liquid too - it doesn't have to be a white powder.

[Notforprophet]

Naperville resident here. I had a mysterious itching on my forearm Monday, that ended up being poisin ivy I must've got into while camping.

[Chi-townChief]

About 30 years ago, I was a production line worker manufacturing roofing insulation (United Steelworkers union, btw, but not a very glamorous job.) We produced the typical gypsum board/foam/tarpaper insulation but, for one week, we did an experimental run using fiberglass instead of gypsum board and every one of us was "scratching like a hound", as the song says!

[Ole Okie]

I had a mysterious itching on my forearm Monday, that ended up being poisin ivy I must've got into while camping.

Aha!

But did you test negative for anthrax?? ;-)

[Darheel]

"mysterious itching"

Cooties. Sounds like cooties.

[JustPiper]

Well, my first thought was itch powder but it seems to be ruled out. I think if not looking for a break, someone thought it was a good gag- I hope.

[JustPiper]

It was probably right to keep the people there, but I get claustrophobia just thinking about being kept in a building where numerous people have unexplained itching.

I get scared at the thought of ever being anywhere in lockdown and not getting home to my kids.

[JustPiper]

Are you familiar with this facility? The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is this happened to these folx sorting the mail at a Goverment building.

[JustPiper]

Fiberglass is horrendous! My hubby is a carpenter and I am so highly allergic, when he would get it on his flannel shirts and I'd hug him I'd itch and break out.

[Brad’s Gramma]

LOL!

Phew!!!!!!!

[circles]

Kept spaying anti-fungal medication onto rashy patches of skin.

Later learned it was eczema (or psrioasis - what's the difference?).

[JustPiper]

Later learned it was eczema Well:

Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. In the United Kingdom, up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

If its not contagious, then how come several people?

What is psoriasis? This is a chronic disease, which comes and goes. In most of the cases, it affects only the skin. In majority, there are red patches, which are slightly raised above the surface, are usually round and are covered with white scales. These are usually present over the scalp, elbows, knees, forearms, shins and the lower back. Sometimes the involvement can be minimal and may remain unrecognized for long. In others, large areas of body surface may be affected and may make the patient uncomfortable both physically and mentally.

[circles]

Well thanks, you've given me two different definitions for these two conditons, but I you still didn't give me any explicit difference between the two.

Whatever it is, it tends to go away in warmer, more humid weather.

BTW, doctors are no help with this. If, you've got guts hanging out, consult a doctor. Otherwise, consult a medical dictionary and beg a doctor for the least expensive cost considering the kickback they need to get in order to receive your prescriptions.

Am I cynical? You betcha!

[The Red Zone]

Did they test for mosquitoes?

[yoe]

...poison ivy or poison oak residue?