Apparently the resin “shellac” is spelled “Schellack” in French. As far as I have been able to determine, my surname has absolutely no relation to the varnish, which is a product of the “lac” bug (Kerria lacca), found in India and Southeast Asia. It’s the only varnish/sealer not to have to be manufactured (though I’m sure it’s processed somehow).
This abstract references documentation of a couple cases of furniture workshop workers developing skin allergies after contact with the varnish. The allergens in shellac are unknown, but apparently you can still break out in “occupational skin lesions”; at least, two women have done so… I wonder if they were really just trying to varnish their hands?
Here’s the short abstract: CAT.INIST.FR