Teach Soap

Hi Folks, can lye fumes make your nose bleed? I would have thought it would make me choke but I've had a small nose bleed for the past 3 days and (my husband thinks it's from the lye) I've been making soap twice a week lately.

Yep, they can. They can make you choke too! They can also cause you to pass out. Lye fumes aren't so good for breathing! If you don't have an exhaust hood you can mix the lye water under try doing it outside or by an open window.

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

I always wear a mask when mixing and always outside. I would never mix inside. I even hold my breath when I first add one to the other.

I cannot handle them at all. I where a heavy duty mask and mix under the stove vent. I would think your husband could be right.

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Four Seasons Fine Handcrafted Soaps
& Specialties, Inc.
Laugh, Love, Live!

It's possible. How are you handling the mixing of lye with water and where are you mixing?

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I mix mine in the sink in front of an open window with (depending on weather) the sliding door behind me open to help create a sort of 'through breeze'). I also have a mini desk fan blowing everything out the window (away from me). Very rarely do I even smell anything. Twice however, I didn't open the door, or didn't have the fan on, and breathing in again to hold my breath coped me a very sore throat from the fumes.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was the culprit. Does it bleed on it's own? Or when you blow your nose? I have a very sensitive nose and even cooking too spicy a food can give me a light blood nose when I blow lol.

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I got a breath of the fumes once, it made me choke! Burned like mad and Dad came in to make sure I was alright. Not fun!

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

only when I blow it thank goodness. I'll be more careful , Im making soap tomorrow.

You may want to look into master batching your lye so you don't have to mix it or deal with the fumes as often.

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- Mickey!