What are the common plants that cause rashes. How can you identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac. What are the symptoms of plant-induced rashes. How can you prevent and treat plant-induced rashes. Are there any myths about plant-induced rashes that need debunking.

Common Plants That Cause Rashes: Identification and Characteristics

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are notorious for causing itchy, blistering rashes in North America. These plants thrive in wooded or marshy areas and contain a sticky oil called urushiol, which is responsible for the allergic reaction many people experience upon contact.

Can you easily identify these plants? Here’s a quick guide:

• Poison Ivy: Always has three leaves – one on each side and one in the center. The leaves are shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges.
• Poison Oak: Similar to poison ivy, but with larger, more rounded leaves resembling oak leaves. They have a textured, hairy surface and may appear in groups of three, five, or seven.
• Poison Sumac: Grows as a shrub or tree with leaves in clusters of seven to 13, with one leaf by itself at the end.

Is it true that “leaves of three, let it be” applies to all these plants? Contrary to popular belief, this saying only holds true for poison ivy. Poison oak and sumac can have more than three leaves per cluster.

Understanding Plant-Induced Rashes: Symptoms and Development

When does a rash typically appear after contact with these plants? The rash usually develops within 24 to 72 hours of exposure, depending on the area of contact. It often peaks within a week but can persist for up to three weeks.

What does a plant-induced rash look like? The rash appears as patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. It’s important to note that the rash doesn’t typically spread unless there’s continued contact with urushiol on the skin.

Debunking Common Myths About Plant-Induced Rashes

Are plant-induced rashes contagious? No, these rashes cannot be spread from person to person, even through direct contact with blisters. However, it’s crucial to remember that most people (about 85%) are allergic to urushiol, and sensitivity can develop at any age.

Can you get a rash from being near these plants without touching them? Generally, it’s safe to breathe where these plants grow. However, burning them can release urushiol into the smoke, potentially causing respiratory issues if inhaled.

Prevention Strategies: Protecting Yourself from Plant-Induced Rashes

How can you protect yourself from coming into contact with these plants? Here are some effective strategies:

1. Wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, gloves, and closed shoes when in areas where these plants grow.
2. Use barrier creams: Apply lotions containing bentoquatam, which acts as a barrier between urushiol and your skin.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings: Learn to identify these plants and avoid areas where they grow.
4. Clean your gear: Wash clothes and clean tools that may have come into contact with the plants.

Is it possible to prevent a rash even after contact with these plants? Yes, if you act quickly. Wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap as soon as possible after contact. If water isn’t available, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can help remove the urushiol.

Treatment Options for Plant-Induced Rashes

What are the most effective treatments for plant-induced rashes? While there’s no cure-all, several treatments can help manage symptoms:

• Over-the-counter medications: Calamine lotion, diphenhydramine, or hydrocortisone can help control itching.
• Cool compresses: Applying cool, damp cloths to the affected area can soothe the rash.
• Baths: Soaking in cool water with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal can provide relief.
• Prescription medications: In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching.

Should you see a doctor for a plant-induced rash? While most cases can be treated at home, medical attention is necessary if the rash is near your eyes, covers a large portion of your body, or is accompanied by severe symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, or extreme soreness.

The Role of Pets in Spreading Plant-Induced Rashes

Can your pets contribute to the spread of plant-induced rashes? While animals are generally protected from urushiol reactions by their fur, they can carry the oil on their coats. If your pet has been in an area where these plants grow, it’s advisable to bathe them with soap and cool water while wearing gloves.

Proper Disposal of Poisonous Plants: Safety Measures

How should you remove these plants from your property? Never burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac, as the smoke can carry urushiol particles. Instead, carefully dig out the plants, including as much of the root as possible. Place them in a plastic trash bag for disposal. If you’re highly sensitive to these plants, it’s best to have someone else perform this task.

Are there effective plant killers for these species? Some herbicides can be effective, but it’s crucial to read the label carefully and apply the product at the right time of year. Remember, even dead plants can still contain active urushiol, so handle them with caution.

Long-Term Management: Living with Plant Allergies

How can you manage plant allergies in the long term? Education and prevention are key. Learn to identify these plants in different seasons and avoid areas where they grow. If you live in an area with a high prevalence of these plants, consider immunotherapy to reduce your sensitivity over time.

Is it possible to become immune to these plant-induced rashes? While some people may become less sensitive over time, it’s not advisable to intentionally expose yourself to these plants. The severity of reactions can vary, and even individuals who haven’t reacted in the past can develop sensitivity later in life.

Educating Others: Spreading Awareness About Plant-Induced Rashes

How can you help others avoid plant-induced rashes? Share your knowledge about identifying these plants and proper prevention techniques. If you’re hiking or camping with others, point out any poisonous plants you spot along the way. Consider volunteering for local nature centers or parks to help educate visitors about these plants and their potential risks.

Innovations in Plant Rash Prevention and Treatment

Are there any new developments in preventing or treating plant-induced rashes? Research is ongoing in several areas:

• Improved barrier creams: Scientists are working on more effective formulations that can better prevent urushiol absorption.
• Plant identification apps: Smartphone applications using AI and image recognition are becoming more accurate in identifying poisonous plants.
• Novel treatment approaches: Researchers are exploring new compounds that could more effectively neutralize urushiol or reduce the immune response to it.

How might climate change affect the prevalence of these plants? Some studies suggest that rising CO2 levels and changing climate patterns could lead to more robust growth and wider distribution of plants like poison ivy. This underscores the importance of ongoing research and public education about these plants.

The Economic Impact of Plant-Induced Rashes

What is the economic toll of plant-induced rashes? While exact figures are difficult to determine, these rashes result in significant healthcare costs and lost productivity each year. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that millions of cases occur annually, leading to numerous doctor visits and days of work missed.

How does this impact outdoor industries? Industries like forestry, landscaping, and outdoor recreation must factor in the risk of plant-induced rashes when training employees and planning activities. This can lead to increased costs for protective equipment and potential liability issues.

Global Perspective: Plant-Induced Rashes Around the World

Are plant-induced rashes a problem only in North America? While poison ivy, oak, and sumac are most common in North America, similar plants exist worldwide. For example:

• Rhus plants in Africa and Asia can cause similar reactions.
• Gympie gympie, found in Australia, causes an intense stinging sensation upon contact.
• Giant hogweed, native to Central Asia but invasive in parts of Europe and North America, can cause severe burns and blistering.

How do different cultures approach the treatment of plant-induced rashes? Traditional remedies vary widely across cultures. For instance, some Native American tribes have used jewelweed as a natural remedy for poison ivy rashes. In parts of Asia, the sap of the lacquer tree (related to poison ivy) is traditionally used in lacquerware, with artisans developing techniques to work with it safely.

The Psychology of Plant-Induced Rashes

How do plant-induced rashes affect people psychologically? Beyond the physical discomfort, these rashes can cause significant stress and anxiety. People who have experienced severe reactions may develop a fear of outdoor activities or certain environments. This can lead to a reduced quality of life and missed opportunities for outdoor recreation and exercise.

Can cognitive-behavioral approaches help in managing plant-induced rashes? While not a replacement for medical treatment, cognitive-behavioral techniques can be helpful in managing the stress and discomfort associated with these rashes. Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques may help reduce the perception of itching and discomfort.

Future Directions: Research and Public Health Initiatives

What areas of research hold promise for better management of plant-induced rashes? Several avenues are being explored:

• Genetic studies to understand why some people are more susceptible to these rashes than others.
• Development of more effective and longer-lasting barrier creams.
• Exploration of potential vaccines that could prevent allergic reactions to urushiol.
• Research into plant biology to potentially develop less allergenic varieties of these plants for ornamental use.

How can public health initiatives address the issue of plant-induced rashes? Public health departments can play a crucial role in educating the public about these plants and how to avoid them. This could include:

1. Incorporating information about poisonous plants into school curricula.
2. Developing public awareness campaigns, especially during peak outdoor seasons.
3. Working with parks and recreation departments to properly manage these plants in public spaces.
4. Providing resources and training for healthcare providers to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of plant-induced rashes.

The Role of Technology in Managing Plant-Induced Rashes

How is technology being leveraged to address plant-induced rashes? Several technological solutions are emerging:

• Mobile apps for plant identification and risk assessment.
• Wearable devices that can detect and alert users to the presence of urushiol.
• Online platforms for reporting and mapping the locations of poisonous plants.
• Telemedicine services for quick diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Could artificial intelligence play a role in managing these rashes? AI could potentially be used to analyze satellite imagery to identify areas with high concentrations of these plants, helping in land management and public health efforts. Additionally, AI-powered diagnostic tools could assist healthcare providers in quickly and accurately identifying plant-induced rashes.

Environmental Management: Balancing Ecology and Public Health

How can we manage poisonous plants without harming the environment? While these plants can cause problems for humans, they play important roles in their ecosystems. Many wildlife species eat their berries or use them for shelter. Sustainable management approaches might include:

• Selective removal in high-traffic areas while preserving plants in more remote locations.
• Using natural barriers or landscaping techniques to separate these plants from human-use areas.
• Educating the public about the ecological roles of these plants to foster a more balanced perspective.

Are there any benefits to these plants that we should consider? Despite their potential to cause rashes, these plants do have ecological and potential medicinal value. For example, some researchers are exploring whether compounds derived from poison ivy could have applications in treating certain skin conditions or even some forms of cancer.

Legal and Policy Considerations

What legal issues arise from plant-induced rashes? Several legal considerations come into play:

• Property owner liability for poisonous plants on their land.
• Workplace safety regulations for industries where exposure is a risk.
• Environmental regulations governing the removal and disposal of these plants.
• Product liability for ineffective protective products or treatments.

How can policy makers address the issue of plant-induced rashes? Policy approaches might include:

1. Incorporating poisonous plant management into land use and development regulations.
2. Providing tax incentives for proper management of these plants on private property.
3. Funding research into better prevention and treatment methods.
4. Developing standardized guidelines for managing these plants in public spaces.

By understanding the complexities surrounding plant-induced rashes, from biology to public health to environmental management, we can develop more comprehensive and effective strategies for coexisting with these plants while minimizing their impact on human health and well-being.

Pictures of Rashes & Plants

Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on November 25, 2022

Fact. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac grow in wooded or marshy areas throughout North America. The plants aren’t really poisonous. They have a sticky, long-lasting oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash after it touches your skin. Even slight contact, like brushing up against the leaves, can leave the oil behind. Poison ivy and poison oak grow as vines or shrubs. Poison sumac is a shrub or tree.

Myth. Poison ivy is the only one that always has three leaves, one on each side and one in the center. They’re shiny with smooth or slightly notched edges. Poison oak looks similar, but the leaves are larger and more rounded like an oak leaf. They have a textured, hairy surface. There may be groups of three, five, or seven leaves. Poison sumac leaves grow in clusters of seven to 13 leaves, with one by itself at the end.

Myth. It forms within 24 to 72 hours of contact, depending on where the plant touched you. It usually peaks within a week, but can last as long as 3 weeks. A rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac looks like patches or streaks of red, raised blisters. The rash doesn’t usually spread unless urushiol is still in contact with your skin.

Myth. It’s usually safe to breathe where poison plants grow. But if you burn them in your yard, the smoke could cause problems. When poison ivy leaves burn, they put out chemicals that can bother your eyes, nose, or lungs. You may need to see a doctor if you breathe the smoke. They’ll prescribe steroids to control your symptoms.

Fact. Keep your skin covered to avoid contact with these plants. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, and closed shoes if you’re in an area where they grow. Tie the bottoms of your pants legs or tuck them into your boots. Wear gloves when you handle bagged mulch or bales of pine straw. Keep a pair of shoes just for outside use and keep them outdoors. Try a lotion that has bentoquatam. It acts as a barrier between urushiol and your skin.

Fact. Urushiol begins to stick within minutes. If you know you’ve made contact with poison ivy, oak, or sumac, wash the area with lukewarm water and soap ASAP. If there’s no water, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes can remove it. Keep the area cool, dry, and clean. Wash your clothes and clean your boots or shoes. Hose down any garden tools that might have touched the plant.

Myth. But using them along with over-the-counter medicine can ease the itch and keep you more comfortable. Once a rash appears, keep it clean, dry, and cool. Calamine lotion, diphenhydramine, or hydrocortisone can help control itching. Cool compresses or baths with baking soda or oatmeal can also soothe the rash. Don’t scratch. It won’t spread the rash, but can cause scars or infection. Your doctor may suggest other treatments for your symptoms.

Myth. If someone in your household has poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you can’t catch it from them, even if you come into contact with the blisters. Just because you’ve never had a rash from one of these plants doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Most people — about 85% — are allergic to urushiol. You can be affected by it at any age.

Myth. See your doc if the rash is close to your eyes or is widespread over your body. If needed, they can prescribe medications you take by mouth that will help with swelling and itching. Head to the emergency room if you have severe reactions in addition to the rash, like nausea, fever, shortness of breath, extreme soreness at the rash site, or swollen lymph nodes. Call 911 if you have any trouble breathing or feel faint.

Fact. A dog’s or a cat’s fur usually protects its skin from urushiol. But it can stay on the fur and rub off on you. If your pet explores areas where these plants are found, bathe them with soap and cool water. Be sure to wear gloves.

Myth. Don’t burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Particles of urushiol remain in the smoke and can aggravate your eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, and can land on the skin. Instead, dress appropriately and dig out the plants, getting as much of the root as possible. Put them in a plastic trash bag and throw it away. Have someone else do this if you’re super-sensitive to the plant. Some plant killers may work. Read the label carefully and use it at the right time of the year. Be careful — urushiol remains active, even on dead plants.

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SOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology: “Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. “
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: “Poison Plants.”
Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) Fact Sheet: “Working Outdoors in Warm Climates.”
University of Connecticut Integrated Pest Management: “Dealing With Poison Ivy.”
University of Oregon Health Center: “Facts & Fiction About Poison Oak and Ivy.”

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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.

Burning “imprint”. What plants can be dangerous to humans? | HEALTH

06/22/2017 11:36

Lilac Babayeva

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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No. 25. “Arguments and facts in Western Siberia” 06/22/2017

“Imprint” from plants. What plants can be dangerous to humans? AiF

With the onset of hot days, more and more Tyumen residents began to turn to doctors with burns, blisters, redness after contact with herbs. The influx of such patients occurs only in sunny, hot weather, and up to seven people consult only one dermatologist per day.

Mostly summer residents suffer from phytophotodermatitis, but any person can have a reaction from contact with plants after walking outside the city, swimming in flowering water and even walking barefoot on the grass. Doctors expect mass appeals during haymaking.

“Phytophotodermatitis combines two reactions at once: to the sun and plants. They are combined because the sun affects the plants. In hot weather, under the influence of sunlight, they release essential oils, and when a person sweats, his sweat gland ducts expand, which contributes to the penetration of the allergen from plants into the skin. That is why such diseases practically do not occur in cloudy weather, ”says Lyubov Makarova, a specialist in medical prevention at the regional Dermatovenerologic Dispensary.

Backache ordinary (sleep-grass) causes burns on the skin. Photo: From the personal archive / Elena Kozhina

Most often, such a reaction is caused by sedge, cow parsnip, primrose and others. These plants produce allergenic essential oils.

Without contact

As a rule, signs of illness appear immediately after contact with the plant or throughout the day, in some cases on the second or third day. After exposure to the allergen, edema may occur, after it – small bubbles, the opening of which leads to micro-ulcers with a clear liquid in the middle. Necrotic ulcers may appear on the skin, affecting not only the upper layers, but also extending deeper and leading to scarring. And after recovery, age spots may remain in this place.

Phytophotodermatitis blisters are often confused with signs of food allergies and even burns.

“Sometimes, patients come and say that they apparently burned themselves somewhere and did not notice it themselves, but in fact it is phytophotodermatitis,” says Lyubov Makarova.

Most often, the rash appears on the feet, hands and knees – in those areas that come into contact with the grass.

The treatment of the disease is individual and depends on the area and depth of the lesion. With phytophotodermatitis, the first thing to do is to stop contact with the plant that caused it. Most often, it is treated topically, with the help of ointments, lotions and powders. It is also forbidden to sunbathe at this time, both in the sun and in the solarium.

To prevent phytophotodermatitis, try not to contact the grass on sunny days, do not lie on it without bedding, try not to walk barefoot and not swim in a flowering pond.

Topic

Which herbs are better not to touch?

Hogweed

Its juice, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause severe burns, up to I degree of severity. It is especially dangerous at the time of flowering in sunny weather. Sometimes, after a couple of minutes, under the influence of sunlight, in the place where the hogweed juice got into, inflammation begins and a bubble swells. With prolonged exposure, deep, long-term non-healing ulcers form, leaving scars.

Larkspur (Delphinium)

Poisonous plant from the insidious ranunculus family. May cause allergic reactions (burning and itching) on ​​contact with unprotected skin. If you are breeding delphiniums as ornamental flowers, wear gloves when handling them. And do not allow children to pick beautiful flowers.

Ash tree (burning bush)

The vapors of essential oil released during the maturation of seeds in the heat can severely burn even at a distance of up to two meters.

Meadow parsnip

Causes almost the same burns as hogweed. Once in the meadow, pay attention to light greens on 1.5-meter stems with inconspicuous flowers of the same color – do not touch it.

Buttercup

It is no coincidence that wild and domestic animals bypass these yellow flowers. The poisonous buttercup juice causes irritation, itching, and blisters on the skin. So it’s not worth collecting bouquets from them and even smelling them.

Backache (dream-grass)

Another relative of buttercup. Both wild and cultivated species are poisonous. The juice causes burns on the skin in the form of redness, blisters and abscesses.

Note

Which plants can cause phytophotodermatitis? Nettle, sedge, spurge, primrose, hogweed

See also:

• Irregular mushrooms. How not to cook them so as not to end up in the hospital →
• More and more Tyumen residents suffer from ultraviolet rays →
• At the forum “Family” we talked about the health of children →

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Phytophotodermatitis – rashes from plants – Articles

Phytophotodermatitis – rashes from plants

in childhood, before a walk, did my mother tell us not to pick unfamiliar flowers and plants and not to climb into various thickets? And this was done for a reason, but because many plants that seem harmless can be very poisonous. What is one cow parsnip worth. Such a beautiful name, but on contact you can get not just a burn, but phytophotodermatitis. And quite a lot of different plants are capable of this. Today in the article we will talk about what phytophotodermatitis is, what to do if contact has already happened, and we will also tell you which plants to be wary of.

What kind of animal? Description

Phytophotodermatitis is a skin reaction to contact with a certain plant and parallel exposure to solar radiation. This reaction is caused by substances contained in plants – furanocoumarins.

Plants causing such a reaction belong to the families Umbelliferae, Rosaceae, Leguminous, Rue. For example, hogweed. In addition to hogweed, plants containing such substances include parsley, celery, parsnips, carrots, figs, limes, lemons, bergamot, and some types of wildflowers. Not all of these plants cause a strong reaction, but they may well.

Phytophotodermatitis occurs within 24 hours after contact with the plant, it is worth noting that contact may be short-term and unnoticed. The strength of the reaction depends on the amount of plant juice, the concentration of furanocoumarins, or rather their compounds – psoralens in them, as well as the strength of ultraviolet radiation.

How does it manifest itself?

First, a person comes into contact with the juice of the plant, and then the affected area of ​​the skin is exposed to the sun. After a few days, the skin area darkens in the form of spots that have clear boundaries. At this stage, discomfort is usually absent. After a while, blisters swell in this place, which in no case should be pierced. After the blister itself opens or the liquid inside it is absorbed, the bubble begins to hurt badly. The sensations are more like burning and pain than itching.

After a while, a trace of pigmentation remains in place of the blister, which is difficult to remove. Since it is almost impossible to influence the pigmentation, you can use protection from UV radiation so as not to aggravate the process. UV protection, by the way, protects against the appearance of phytophotodermatitis, it is important to use it before a walk.

If phytophotodermatitis has already happened: algorithm

In the case when contact with the plant sap has already happened and you notice it, you need to wash the affected area as soon as possible with plenty of soap and water. Then, for the next 14 days, apply UV protection to the affected area and cover it with clothing, since it cannot be exposed to solar radiation, in order to avoid burns and phytophotodermatitis.

If contact happened, you did not notice it in time, but you already found blisters, then you should not open them, because not only will the place be very painful, but there will also be a risk of a secondary infection. You can wrap this place with a bandage so that mechanical damage does not happen.

After the blister resolves itself, the place where the blister is located will start to hurt and burn. Cold compresses can help relieve the condition. With severe rashes, anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, which will be prescribed by a doctor, will help. Since we cannot influence a significant regeneration process, it is necessary to relieve pain with ibuprofen or paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids.

If there is itching, redness, irritation, then topical corticosteroids will be the first-line drugs; in mild cases, cooling creams and talcs with zinc, Calamine lotion will help.

In some cases where lesions are very large, hospitalization and hospitalization may be necessary.

How to protect yourself?

If we are talking about our own garden plot, then it is necessary to eradicate poisonous plants, for example, cow parsnip. Be sure to tell the children and all family members about its harm and explain that its flowers, leaves, tops are not a toy, it is a danger and poison.

When destroying hogweed thickets, be sure to protect yourself with waterproof clothing with long sleeves and trousers. It is better to do this in cloudy weather, and pay attention to the UV index, the strength of the sun’s effect on the skin depends on its value.

If there are no such plants on the site, but there are in the area, then be sure to instruct at home, especially with children, and remind them of the danger of such plants before the walk.

And don’t forget about UV protection, that is, creams. Choose a cream with maximum sun protection, i.e. SPF50. Creams, where the figure is above 50, is already a marketing ploy. It is important to renew your sunscreen every 2 hours of sun exposure.

So which plants are dangerous?

And now the most interesting thing – let’s talk about plants that can cause phytophotodermatitis. Not only hogweed is dangerous and poisonous.

1. Sosnowski’s hogweed and ash. The juice of these plants contains furanocoumarins, which have a phototoxic effect, that is, they cause burns under the influence of the sun.
2. Buttercup is caustic. Contains ranunculol, which can cause dermatitis.
3. Marigolds. Yes, yes, those beautiful flowers in Grandma’s garden contain thiophenes, which cause phototoxic burns.
4. Castor oil. The plant and all its parts contain ricin, which causes dermatitis. Especially a lot of this substance in the seeds. If swallowed, it causes severe poisoning.
5. Ivy. It is also completely poisonous, causing burns and blisters, and if ingested, acute poisoning.
6. Croton and spurge. The juice of these plants is similar to milk, when it comes into contact with the skin, it irritates it, and when it enters the body, it causes vomiting.
7. Dieffenbachia. The juice of this plant is extremely dangerous if it enters the mouth, as it causes paralysis of the ligaments and loss of voice.
8. Primula. It contains alkaloids that cause nausea and dizziness, and the juice of leaves and flowers can cause dermatitis.

Phytophotodermatitis is a skin reaction to contact with a poisonous plant and simultaneous exposure to solar radiation.