What are the most common plants that cause skin rashes. How can you identify poison ivy, poison oak, and other irritating plants. What are the best treatment options for plant-induced skin irritations.

Poison Ivy: The Notorious Three-Leaved Culprit

Poison ivy is a widespread plant found throughout the United States, notorious for causing itchy, uncomfortable rashes. Its prevalence extends beyond wooded areas, thriving along roadsides, fences, and even in residential backyards. The plant’s distinctive feature is its leaves, which grow in clusters of three on vines that can either climb trees or trail along the ground.

Every part of the poison ivy plant contains urushiol, the compound responsible for the infamous rash. This includes the vine, roots, leaves, flowers, and berries. Contact with any of these parts can lead to an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

Symptoms and Treatment of Poison Ivy Rash

The onset of a poison ivy rash typically occurs a few days after exposure, though it may take up to two weeks for first-time contact. Symptoms include:

• Redness and swelling of the skin
• Formation of blisters
• Intense itching

To manage the symptoms, healthcare providers often recommend:

1. Applying a strong corticosteroid cream or ointment to reduce inflammation
2. Using over-the-counter anti-itch topical creams for relief
3. In severe cases, oral medications may be prescribed to suppress the immune response or further reduce inflammation

Poison Oak: A Deceptive Name for a Troublesome Plant

Despite its name, poison oak is not related to oak trees. This plant shares many similarities with poison ivy, including the presence of urushiol and its ability to cause skin rashes. Poison oak is commonly found in western North America and some southeastern states.

Identifying Poison Oak

How can you distinguish poison oak from other plants? Look for these characteristics:

• Leaves grow in clusters of three, similar to poison ivy
• Leaf edges are lobed or deeply toothed, resembling oak leaves
• The plant can grow as a shrub or vine
• Leaves may be green in spring and summer, turning reddish in fall

The rash caused by poison oak is virtually identical to that of poison ivy, and treatment approaches are similar.

Stinging Nettle: A Painful Surprise in Nature

Stinging nettle, a member of the nettle family, is widespread across the United States, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This plant often grows in dense patches near streams, along hiking trails, in ditches, and around farmland, particularly in disturbed soil.

Recognizing Stinging Nettle

To identify stinging nettle, look for these features:

• Single stems with few branches, growing 6 to 8 feet tall
• Stems may be green or purple, with or without stinging hairs
• Dark green leaves, 2 to 4 inches long, with a tapered tip
• Clusters of whitish flowers at the base of leaf pairs along the stem

Contact with stinging nettle results in a sharp, painful sting followed by a burning sensation and possible itching. The irritation can persist for several hours and may cause hives near the contact site, lasting up to 24 hours.

Surprising Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Despite its irritating properties, stinging nettle has some surprising uses:

• It can be gathered for food or to make tea
• Traditional folk remedy for joint pain, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia
• Cooking deactivates the stinging properties, making it safe to consume

Baby’s Breath: An Unexpected Irritant When Dried

Baby’s breath, commonly seen in floral arrangements and cultivated gardens, is generally harmless when alive. However, the dried plant can cause various irritations, particularly to those who handle it frequently.

Potential Irritations from Dried Baby’s Breath

What are the possible reactions to dried baby’s breath?

• Eye, nose, and sinus irritation
• Minor and temporary skin irritation
• Asthma reactions in sensitized individuals, especially floral industry workers

Interestingly, double-flower varieties of baby’s breath tend to cause fewer reactions than single-flower varieties. If you’re planting baby’s breath in your garden or ordering a bouquet, opting for double-flower varieties may reduce the risk of irritation.

Leadwort: A Beautiful but Potentially Irritating Plant

Leadwort, also known as plumbago, is a beautiful ornamental plant that can cause skin irritation in some individuals. While it’s generally safe to admire, direct contact with the plant’s sap can lead to discomfort.

Identifying Leadwort

How can you recognize leadwort in gardens or landscapes?

• Clusters of blue or white flowers
• Green, oval-shaped leaves
• Sprawling or climbing growth habit

If you come into contact with leadwort and experience skin irritation, wash the affected area with soap and water. In most cases, the irritation is mild and will resolve on its own.

Giant Hogweed: A Dangerous Invasive Species

Giant hogweed is an invasive plant in Europe and North America, classified as a “federally listed noxious weed” in the United States. This plant poses significant health risks due to its phototoxic sap.

Health Risks Associated with Giant Hogweed

What are the potential dangers of coming into contact with giant hogweed sap?

• Severe skin and eye irritation
• Blistering and scarring of the skin
• Potential blindness if sap enters the eyes
• Long-lasting scars and sensitivity to sunlight

Identifying Giant Hogweed

How can you recognize this dangerous plant?

• Extremely tall, growing up to 14 feet or higher
• Hollow, rigid stems 2 to 4 inches in diameter
• Green stems with purple splotches and coarse, white hairs
• Deeply lobed, compound leaves up to 5 feet across
• Large, white, umbrella-shaped flower heads up to 2.5 feet across

Emergency Response to Giant Hogweed Exposure

If you suspect contact with giant hogweed, take these immediate steps:

1. Keep the exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours
2. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and cold water
3. If sap enters your eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses
4. Seek medical attention if you experience a reaction

Prevention and Safety: Avoiding Plant-Induced Rashes

While knowing how to identify and treat rash-causing plants is crucial, prevention is always the best strategy. How can you protect yourself from these irritating plants?

Protective Measures When Outdoors

• Wear long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes when hiking or gardening
• Use gloves when working with plants or in areas where irritating plants may be present
• Learn to identify common rash-causing plants in your area
• Stay on marked trails when hiking to avoid contact with potentially harmful plants
• Wash clothing and gear after outdoor activities, especially if you suspect contact with irritating plants

Education and Awareness

Increasing your knowledge about potentially harmful plants is a powerful tool in prevention. Consider these steps:

• Attend local nature workshops or guided hikes to learn about native plants
• Use plant identification apps or field guides when exploring new areas
• Teach children about the dangers of touching unknown plants
• Share information about rash-causing plants with friends and family members who enjoy outdoor activities

When to Seek Medical Attention for Plant-Induced Rashes

While many plant-induced rashes can be treated at home, some situations require professional medical care. When should you consult a healthcare provider for a plant-related skin reaction?

Signs That Warrant Medical Attention

• Severe or widespread rash covering a large portion of your body
• Rash affecting sensitive areas such as your face, eyes, or genitals
• Signs of infection, including increased redness, warmth, or pus
• Fever or other systemic symptoms accompanying the rash
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing, which may indicate a severe allergic reaction
• Rash that persists or worsens despite home treatment

In these cases, a healthcare provider can assess the severity of your reaction and prescribe appropriate treatments, which may include stronger topical medications, oral antihistamines, or systemic corticosteroids.

Follow-up Care

After initial treatment, how should you care for a healing plant-induced rash?

• Keep the affected area clean and dry
• Avoid scratching to prevent secondary infection
• Apply cool compresses to relieve itching and discomfort
• Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream as directed for persistent itching
• Monitor the rash for signs of improvement or worsening

Remember, while most plant-induced rashes are uncomfortable but harmless, some can lead to serious complications if left untreated. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and 7 Other Plants That Can Give You a Rash

Poison ivy is found across the United States. You can come into contact with it while hiking in the woods, but it grows virtually everywhere — along roadsides, on fences, in backyards. Poison ivy leaves grow in clusters of three on vines that can grow up into trees or trail along the ground. Every part of the plant contains the compound called urushiol, which causes poison ivy’s notorious rash — the vine, the roots, the leaves, the flowers, and the berries.

A poison ivy rash typically appears a few days after exposure, and can even take a week or two if this is your first time in contact with the plant. When it does, you’ll know it: You’ll see very red skin, swelling, and blisters, and you’ll feel a serious itch. A strong corticosteroid skin cream or ointment can help with the inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe other medication if the inflammation is severe, to either suppress your immune system or to help further reduce the reaction. Anti-itch topical creams may also help.

RELATED: How to Treat Poison Ivy and Reduce Discomfort

2. Poison Oak: Not Related to Oak Trees

Stinging nettle is the best-known member of the nettle family. It grows throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The plant tends to grow in dense patches near streams, along hiking trails, in ditches, and around farmland, often where the earth has been disturbed.

The stems of stinging nettle are singular, with few branches, and can grow 6 to 8 feet tall. The stems may be green or purple and may or may not have stinging hairs. The petioles (stem parts of the leaf) and undersides of the leaves also have stinging hairs.

The leaves of stinging nettle are longer than they are wide, and dark green, 2 to 4 inches long, with a tapered tip. Clusters of whitish flowers grow at the base of each pair of leaves along the stem.

Coming into contact with stinging nettle causes a sharp, painful sting, followed by a burning sensation and sometimes itching. The irritation can linger for several hours and cause hives near the site of contact which can last up to 24 hours.

Stinging nettle is sometimes gathered for food or to make into tea. It has long been a folk remedy for joint pain, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Cooking deactivates the stinging properties of stinging nettle.

6. Baby’s Breath: Irritating When Dried

If you’ve ever gotten roses from a florist, chances are they were clustered with sprays of tiny white or pink flowers known as baby’s breath. You might also see baby’s breath in cultivated perennial gardens.

Baby’s breath generally isn’t an irritant while it’s still alive, but when it’s dried, it can irritate the eyes, nose, and sinuses, as well as the skin. It can additionally cause asthma in people who touch it frequently, such as floral industry employees.

The skin irritation caused by baby’s breath is usually minor and temporary.

People who have become sensitized to baby’s breath and are having asthma reactions ideally should stop handling it.

Interestingly, double-flower varieties of baby’s breath tend to cause fewer reactions than single-flower varieties, so if you’re planting it in your garden or have a choice when ordering a bouquet, go for the double-flower option.

7. Leadwort: Look but Don’t Touch

Giant hogweed is an invasive plant in Europe and North America and, according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, a “federally listed noxious weed” in the United States.

Contact with the sap of giant hogweed can cause serious skin and eye irritation, blistering, scarring, and even blindness if the sap gets in the eye. The skin rash may look like a second-degree burn and can leave you with long-lasting scars and sensitivity to sunlight.

Giant hogweed sap is phototoxic, which means it requires exposure to ultraviolet light to cause a reaction. If you touch giant hogweed — or think you might have — keep the exposed area away from sunlight for 48 hours, and wash it with soap and cold water as soon as possible. If you get sap in your eyes, rinse them with water and wear sunglasses. See a physician if you have a reaction.

You can recognize giant hogweed in part by its size: It can grow to 14 feet high or higher and has hollow, rigid stems 2 to 4 inches in diameter. Its deeply lobed, compound leaves can grow up to 5 feet across, and its white, umbrella-shaped flower heads, can be up to 2.5 feet across. The stems of giant hogweed are green with purple splotches and coarse, white hairs.

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Plants That Cause Rashes & Itching

We enjoy sharing all things poison ivy, but did you know there are other plants that can make you itch or may be potentially dangerous? We consulted the American Academy of Dermatology to get a list of common plants that cause misery.

Plants in the Garden

Fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden are wonderful, but some of their plants can make you itch. Strawberries, tomatoes, hot peppers and garlic can all cause rashes to those who are sensitive to them.

Strawberry and Tomato Plants

Hot Pepper and Garlic Plants

Rose hips, the round portion of the rose flower just below the petals, are commonly used in supplements and teas, but the plants can cause an irritating rash.

Rose Hips

The borage plant is used as a cooking herb, but it has stiff hairs that can penetrate the skin and cause a rash. Comfrey is also a member of the borage family and can cause an itchy reaction when handling the plant.

Borage and Comfrey

Remember to wear gloves when planting your winter bulbs! Tulip, hyacinth or daffodil bulbs can all make you itch.

Tulip, Hyacinth and Daffodil bulbs

Poisonous Plants to Avoid!

Some plants should be avoided altogether. They can be dangerous and cause more than just a minor rash.

Located along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California, the poodle-dog bush can cause a blistering rash similar to poison oak. If you come across the plant, you may be able to identify it by its strong smell.

Poodle-Dog Bush

Giant hogweed is likely found along streams, in fields and forests, and alongside the road. It is native to Southwest Asia and was brought to the USA in the early 1900’s to use as an ornamental plant. Giant hogweed can be dangerous as its sap can cause severe burns when exposed to sunlight and result in possible scarring.

Giant Hogweed

Like giant hogweed, the sap from wild parsnip can cause a severe burning, blistering rash.

Wild Parsnip

Commonly mistaken for wild carrot or wild parsnip, poison hemlock can be very toxic to both humans and animals. This plant can be a problem in farmlands because the animals will eat it. Poison hemlock can also be found along creekbeds, irrigation and waste areas. All parts of this plant are toxic, so you want to steer clear of it.

Poison Hemlock

Even more potent than poison hemlock, water hemlock only requires a minimal amount of exposure to be poisonous to humans and animals.

Water Hemlock

Stinging nettle has hairy leaves that can causing itching and a painful rash when it comes in contact with skin. We have a longer post about nettle here. 

Stinging Nettle

We must not forget our favorites, poison ivy, oak and sumac, which are well known for their rash-causing abilities.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

What to do?

As best practice, you should always wear protective gloves when handling potentially irritating plants and wash up as soon as possible when done. We, of course, also suggest cleaning up with Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser to remove any dirt and oils from your skin.

Use plastic bags to cover a plant before you remove it and use a fresh plastic bag for each plant. Leave the plant inside the bag to dispose of it to avoid touching it in any way.

Cover your skin with long sleeves and pants to avoid contact with potentially harmful plants. This is good practice whether you are enjoying the outdoor trails or working in your own yard. Be sure to wash any exposed clothing before wearing it again.

Use a weed killer or white vinegar to destroy the plant’s roots to avoid having it grow again.

10 Rashy Plants You Should Know About

Image – Flickr / chausinho

Human skin is very, very fragile, so when we go to the countryside or find ourselves in an area (or garden) full of wild herbs, our hands are usually well protected in pockets. And yes, there are many plants that cause rashes in both children and adults.

This does not mean that all those that I will now name cause the same reaction in all people, no, because this will depend on how our body reacts. But yes, I recommend that you do not handle them without gloves .

Index

• 1 Adelfa
• 2 Vatochnik
• 3 Diplosion
• 4 Duvalia
• 5 Euphorbia
• 6 Ficus
• 7 Poison Ivy
• 8 Nettle
• 9 Plumeria
• 10 Desert Rose

Adelfa

La oleander, whose scientific name is Nerium oleander , It is an evergreen shrub that can reach a height of about 2 meters. , but usually it is much smaller, 1 meter or even less. It blooms in spring and summer, and at moderate temperatures (that is, if they stay between 18 and 25ºC) it can also bloom in early autumn.

Its ease of cultivation and beauty make it a very interesting plant for the garden, but it must be thought that its sap can cause a rash if it comes in contact with the skin .

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Milkweed

Image – Wikimedia / JMK

Sex Milkweed It is composed of evergreen herbs or shrubs that produce many flowers grouped in bright inflorescences. In addition, you must know they are the main food of monarch butterflies, beetles and other insects, so it is not surprising that they defend themselves as best they can. And how does he do it? Production of toxic latex .

This is the same latex that, if we are not lucky enough to touch it with our bare hand, can cause a painful rash.

Diplatia

Diplatia, or Mandevilla, This is a vine of tropical and evergreen origin, which is widely used to decorate gardens and home interiors. . It blooms with white, yellow, pink or red bells in spring and especially in summer. But did you know that its juice is a latex that can irritate the skin?

And, of course, when in contact with a wound, even a barely visible microcut, you can feel great discomfort . Therefore, it is important to be careful when pruning.

Duvalia

Image – Flickr / Maja Dumat

The Duvalia genus consists of small succulent plants, so it’s a little hard for us to touch their latex. But still and all, It is important that we know that it is colorless and may cause a rash. , especially if we have very sensitive skin.

also you should know that its stems are succulent, elongated and have a length of no more than 4 centimeters. . The flowers are also small, about one centimeter in size, exuding an unpleasant aroma.

Euphorbia

All plants of the genus Euphorbia, of which there are many – there are about 2000 described species, including herbs, shrubs and trees -, Their stems contain latex which causes irritation and rashes on contact with the skin. . For this reason, we must be careful if we grow it and we need to cut it, for example, or change the pot.

So, if we get Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia), and Obese Euphorbia , or another of this genre, we must know that if we are going to manipulate it, we will have to protect our hands.

Ficus

Ficus, all characterized by being trees, shrubs and/or vines which, inside their stems and/or branches they have latex. For this reason, these are plants that can cause rashes if we are not careful. For this reason, although they are undoubtedly very beautiful and relatively easy to care for, it is always important to remember that our hands must be protected when handling them.

And it’s that if they weren’t there, we might have bad times. Thus Feel free to take preventive measures so that your hands are not full of small and painful blisters. .

Poison ivy

Image – Wikimedia/James St. John

To avoid confusion, it is important to clarify that the species is known by this name. Radicans toxicodendron , not common ivy (Hedera). It is a climber growing up to 1-2 meters tall with green leaves. .

This is one of the most dangerous species for humans, since it just a touch is enough for us to get a rash . It should also not be consumed as it can be fatal in extreme cases.

nettle

Nettle is a herb that almost no one wants to have in their garden. I say “almost” because it has many uses, as we explained in this article, but just needs a touch to turn the skin red . And if, in addition, we accidentally take it or touch it briefly, we will develop rashes that can be very painful.

Why? Because on the underside of their leaves and on the stems they have spikes filled with a caustic liquid. . This fluid enters the wound that the thorn leaves when rubbed. In general, temporary discomfort will be felt.

Plumeria

La Plumeria This is a genus of trees and shrubs, usually evergreen, although they may also be deciduous, of tropical origin. They are characterized by large elongated green leaves and flowers. which, in addition to being very beautiful, are brightly colored, and exude a pleasant aroma.

However, her latex is annoying . It is a white and milky substance that can cause occasional skin rashes. Therefore, we must wear gloves if we are going to transplant or prune it.

Desert rose

Image – Wikimedia/Timothy A. Gonçalves

La desert rose This is an evergreen tropical shrub that in its natural habitat Can grow up to 3 meters in height ; however, it very rarely exceeds one meter in cultivation. It has somewhat leathery leaves, glossy dark green in color, and they germinate in a spiral pattern. Although they are beautiful, their flowers, which appear in spring and summer, are most striking. They are bell-shaped, single or double (i.e. with one or two petal crowns), and can be white, red or pink.

Why is it on this list? Because it is also a plant that causes rashes. This is so because its juice is a latex, which, like oleander or diplatia, can at least irritate the skin .

Do you know other than plants that cause rashes?

Plant allergens, hay fever

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Flowering of plants for many people is not just a sign of the onset of spring or summer, it is also the cause of serious annual discomfort associated with the exacerbation of such a popular disease as hay fever.

What is hay fever and how it manifests itself

Hay fever is an allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes) caused by an allergic reaction to plant pollen. Predisposition to this disease can be inherited [1].

Symptoms of pollinosis:

• Itching – itchy nose, or also eye irritation, skin itching
• Nasal congestion due to swelling of mucous membranes
• Redness of the eyes (conjunctivitis), lacrimation
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fatigue, irritability
• Dermatitis [1,3].

What plants cause allergies

Plants in central Russia have 3 flowering periods, so the time period in which hay fever can develop lasts from April to October. The main sources of allergies can be three groups of plants:

• Wind pollinated trees (birch, poplar, hazel, oak, etc.)
• Cereal grasses (timothy, foxtail, etc.)
• Weeds (wormwood, ragweed, nettle, etc.) [2,3].

You can find out in which particular period of spring, summer or autumn the distribution of pollen of plants that most often cause hay fever will occur using the flowering map. The concentration of plant pollen in the air is especially high in dry and windy weather, so it is at this time that the manifestations of hay fever intensify [1,2].

How to treat hay fever

Elimination or reduction of allergens. This is a set of measures that includes regular wet cleaning, the use of air purifiers, avoiding trips to nature and walks in parks during the flowering period of plants that serve as a source of the allergen. These measures allow you to reduce the total amount of allergen that the body has to interact with [3,4].

Allergen barriers are also available to prevent contact with allergens. One of these means is Nazaval. It is made on the basis of natural ingredients, the main of which is micronized vegetable cellulose. The agent evenly covers the nasal mucosa, forming a gel-like barrier that does not interfere with free breathing, but at the same time prevents direct contact of the allergen with receptors. Thus, “Nazaval” prevents the triggering of the mechanism of allergic inflammation, which is provoked by plant pollen. The agent is not absorbed into the blood and does not have a systemic effect on the body. It is used for the prevention of pollen allergy and as an element of complex therapy for exacerbation of hay fever [2,4,5,6].

Drug therapy – allows you to reduce the severity of the immune response to the allergen by influencing various elements of the hay fever development mechanism. The main drugs for the treatment of allergies include antihistamines and corticosteroids [3,4]. The selection of the drug and the choice of treatment regimen is carried out by the doctor.

Specific immunotherapy is a course of procedures that contribute to the correction of the severity of the reaction to a certain allergen [3,4].

Treatment of hay fever requires an integrated approach and mandatory referral to a specialist.

• 1. Potemkina A.M. Diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases in children. Publishing House of Kazan University. 1990. 271-2.
• 2. Astafieva N.G., Perfilova I.A., Udovichenko E.N., Gamova I.V., Gapon M.S., Kenesarieva Zh.M. Pharmacoepidemiology of pollen allergic rhinitis. Correspondence conference “Modern problems of clinical pharmacology – 2012”. Original article. ID: 2012-10-213-A-1700 https://medconfer.com/node/1700 (05/21/2018)
• 3. Gurov A.V. Modern possibilities of diagnostics and treatment of allergic rhinitis.