Plants that Cause Skin Irritation

When the sap or fine hair of a poisonous plant comes in contact with skin, skin irritation in the form of inflammation, swelling and rashes occurs. All plants that causes skin allergies can roughly be categorized into five types. They are poisonous plants, stinging plants, allergenic plants, thorn plants and skin irritant plants. These types of plants causes skin irritation in several ways.

There are several ways in which a particular plant can cause skin allergies and irritation. Some plants have sharp thorns, fine hair or bristles which can prick the skin and lead to rashes and inflammation. When the skin comes in contact with the sap or juices of certain plants, it can lead to skin irritation.

The sap of the plant has certain chemical compounds that irritates the skin. Sometimes the chemical in the plant might not cause any skin irritation, when it comes in contact with the skin. But with exposure to sunlight the chemicals gets activated, leading to rashes and irritation. This type of allergic reaction is known as photodermatitis.

Stinging Spurge is a shrub that is from the Rubber family. This plant has milky white sap and is covered with stinging long hair. When the milky sap or stinging hair comes in contact with the skin, it can cause severe burning and stinging. It is often accompanied by blistering, pain and inflammation.

Perhaps one of the most well-known plants to cause skin irritation, poison ivy grows in the wild. With contact with skin, poison ivy causes skin rashes with prominent raised bumps. Poison ivy contains a chemical called urushiol which is responsible for causing skin irritation. Swelling, blisters and itching are some of the other reactions to the urushiol in the plant.

Another plant that causes allergic reaction on skin is Dieffenbachia. Dieffenbachia is an ornamental shrub with beautiful variegated leaves that is commonly used as a houseplant.

This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which irritates the skin and causes inflammation and itching. Calcium oxalate crystals are present in all parts of the plant, so proper precaution should be taken while cutting the stem or leaf of the plant.

Another popular houseplant, the Indian Fig is a succulent plant belonging to the Cactus family. It has oval shaped segments with red or yellow colored flowers.

Just like any other cactus plant, the Indian Fig is covered with thorns. However contact with the thorns, not only pierces the skin, it can cause pigmentation of the skin as well as papules which takes a while to dissipate.

Wood Nettle is a small shrub which grows up to a height of 1 foot and is widely found in Florida. The leaves and stems of the plant is covered with fine hair, which stings on touching. If you accidentally touch any part of the plant, redness and inflammation of the skin followed by intense burning and blistering occurs.

Some other common plants and shrubs that cause skin irritation are:

• Buttercups
• Giant hogweed
• Angelica
• Poison Sumac
• Marigold
• Poinsettia
• Wandering Jew

• Bishop's weed
• Fever Nettle
• Gympie
• Camphor Laurel
• Frangipani
• Silky Oak
• Blister Bush
• Upas
• Chrysanthemums

Some of the plants mentioned above, not only causes skin irritations, but are also poisonous when ingested. Nausea, vomiting, convulsions, respiratory trouble and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of poisoning in case of ingestion of these plants.

While handling these plants in your garden, it is best to wear long sleeved clothing and boots to avoid contact of plants with skin. Wear latex gloves when you are handling these plants to avoid skin irritations. If you do develop a rash or blisters on your skin, consult a doctor immediately.