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This is weird and probably not what you were expecting, but ever since I started using Gorilla brand CA glue, I've had massive (and I mean massive) sinus infections. It goes away if I take a few days off, but it comes down like a hammer when I start building again. I've used Locktite and Zap-a-Gap and didn't notice too much trouble, but now with this brand or mix my head is like a brick.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it the glue or is it something else? What do you do about it?

This sucks.

If you've tried to stop using it and then found that it's stopped also, then I think it's safe to say that the glue fumes are causing your sinus infections.

If I was you, I'd switch your superglue brand to something that doesn't give you health problems (like the Loctite) and put the Gorilla Glue in the bin. It's just not worth it.

About one in twenty people experience some sort of flu- or allergy-like reaction to superglue fumes getting into their eyes, nose and throat. If other brands gave you less trouble, use those. Exposure over time can/will make it worse, so make sure you put the lid on your glue bottle when you're not using it.

Yeah, I do that and I think you're right. I think it's this brand. I'll have to try another. It's probably because it's cheaper.

I use Gorilla glue but I haven't noticed anything from it. I don't tend to get a lot of sinus infections though.

I don't either (which is why it's so annoying)! I'm going to switch back to one of the other brands and see what happens.

I've heard bad things about Gorilla in general. Probably best to switch anyway.

Stop sniffing glue lol.

Just kidding but yeah if you’re having problems like that you might want to go back to your old brands. Otherwise as a general advice working in a well ventilated area should minimize the fumes.

 Desubot wrote:
Stop sniffing glue lol.

Just kidding but yeah if you’re having problems like that you might want to go back to your old brands. Otherwise as a general advice working in a well ventilated area should minimize the fumes.

This.

If you're determined to not switch, you could also wear a bit of thick cloth around your nose/mouth and hold your breath when getting close to the glue (such as leaning in for gluing smaller pieces). This should help minimize any particulate from entering your system. Be sure to open windows and let some air move about before removing the covering though.

One of my friends had a similar reaction to painting figures. Every time he spent any time longer than 2 hours painting he would get dizzy and develop flu-like symptoms for about 3-4 days. To remedy this, he put his painting duties to me. Needless to say, very little has been accomplished as the prospect of painting 200+ imperial guard white and orange does not make one very enthusiastic. Only completed a 10 man Infantry squad including a single sergeant.

The original post reminds me of an old joke.

I guy goes to see his doctor because he is having pain in his arm. He tells the doctor everytime I bend my arm this particular way my arm hurts.

The doctor's advice: Don't bend your arm that way.

Its funny every time.

whill4 wrote:
The original post reminds me of an old joke.

I guy goes to see his doctor because he is having pain in his arm. He tells the doctor everytime I bend my arm this particular way my arm hurts.

The doctor's advice: Don't bend your arm that way.

Its funny every time.

I know, right? That and "stop sniffing glue".

Thanks for the advice/comments. I just was curious if it was common or just me. Not much on the interwebs about it either.

Super Glue allergy isn't rare, but it isn't exactly common. I would guess though since you don't have the problem with regular CA glues, it is actually something else in the Gorilla Glue which you are reacting to. I think that is one which they include a rubberizer with, and there are lots of fairly common allergies related to those (Latex especially).

I've never felt the need to look into the Gorilla brand Super Glue that closely though - so I am not certain on that. It would explain why the one glue bothers you while Zap a Gap and Loctite do not.

I disagree with the guy saying Gorilla gets lots of complaints. It's always from people who have no idea what kind of glue to even use on plastic models, usually asking about Citadel glue and plastic glue or using Gorilla Glue instead of Gorilla Super Glue.

But I do notice that Gorilla Super Glue has a very strong scent at certain times when curing.

All superglues give off vapor that can irritate mucous membranes such as nose/sinus, eyelids, etc. In most cases people don't notice because the room is ventilated enough, they aren't two inches away from the glue while pouring it, or they aren't as sensitive to the fumes as other people. If the fumes are bothering you, move to an area with better airflow so the fumes are dispersed quicker and see if that helps. Otherwise change glues and see if a different brand causes less irritation.

It's your body transforming into complete nerdom. It's a well known fact you can't be a super dork until you sound nasally.

In all seriousness I hope it's not the brand of glue I was actually going to pick some up tomorrow.

I wear contacts, and I have had my eyes start watering when I use certain types of Gorilla Glue. Its really hard to take your contacts out when your hands are full of glue. I switched to the Loctite brand glue and I haven't had any problems, and the way their packaging works, I have much less glue on my hands. However, when the glue almost gets finished the dispenser will act like its out of glue. There is still a lot more in there, you just have to break it out of the dispenser. I found Loctite to be cheaper than the Gorilla glue here in the states. Good luck!

If I'm in fairly close proximity to my project while gluing (worse with normal CA than loctite super control gel), I get that fumes sinus burning feeling that kinda sucks (and I typically avoid).

Yep, switch out the source of the issue so that the issue is resolved

Good luck!

Loctite Super gel control works great, less odor and instant glue control and instant stick, don't even have to hold metal pieces in place. I would recommend that to help resolve your issue.

Not sinus problems - issues with glueing my fingers together, to what I'm working on, or once managing to glue an orks head to one of my toes, yes.

steelcult wrote:
Not sinus problems - issues with glueing my fingers together, to what I'm working on, or once managing to glue an orks head to one of my toes, yes.

Awesome!

loctite actually makes a "no irritating odor" formula but does not list plastic as what its used to bond though.... which leads me to buy the stinky stuff everytime.

You could try wearing dust masks, might mess with your focus though.

 Mr Nobody wrote:
You could try wearing dust masks, might mess with your focus though.

Dust masks are not helpful with fumes and chemical vapors, and can often be hazardous for those who are sensitive to the chemicals. The mask concentrates the chemicals and if it is moisture reactive, it can concentrate the chemical on the skin where your breath escapes on the edges of the mask.

So the mask would get glued to my face? That seems counterproductive. Sadly it seems the best advice is to switch brands and hold my breath.

I glued my ear to the table once.

 mars2024 wrote:
So the mask would get glued to my face? That seems counterproductive. Sadly it seems the best advice is to switch brands and hold my breath.

I haven't seen anyone get a mask glued to their face - but I have seen some pretty good rashes and chemical burns when people have worn dust masks with sprays and adhesives (one in particular which I recall looked like 3rd degree sun burn from a resin).

Gorilla Super Glue has a really strong smell when it's drying, and it's so strong it sometimes can make my eyes feel like they're watering which never happened to me with Loctite or GW glue. For me I now personally use Loctite for smaller models and Gorilla for the big stuff (haven't seen a super glue stick as well as Gorilla glue does).

I've just finished building a FW Spartan Assault Tank , expecting to need to pin almost every join. Not one needed. I can feel a bit of irritation in my eyes now though, so it's probably the glue causing your problems.

So I'm still stuffed up. I've been stuffed up, but getting better but I'm still stuffed up. Unfortunately, today is worse because I used the GW glue last night to do some riveting. I was hoping that if I stayed away from the Gorilla glue I'd be ok. I hadn't opened a bottle of glue for nearly 2 weeks and was getting better. I also used some ZaG and felt fine (could breath through my nose at about 80%) until this morning. I'm guessing it's a ventilation issue. Now it's nearly as bad as it was when I first started the thread.

Doh!

Although it isn't as easy to work with - you might consider switching to something like a 5 minute epoxy. I know a few people with really bad CA allergies who do that instead of CA for metal and resin figures.

Ventilation would probably help - but from my understanding of the underlying issue eventually it can get to be so bad that no amount of ventilation or masks can help as you will actually break out on your skin.

With the epoxy - squirt a small amount out...mix and use a tooth pick to apply to the joint. Hold till it sets. Far from ideal, but compared to the side affects of a chemical allergy...it is probably worth considering.

I suggest you acquire a small fan. Train it on your work area and it will flush the fumes away and keep them from concentrating in your general area of inhalation.