Itchy arms

[Gardenbug101]

Hello. I am an avid gardener in the Sunshine state. I have been gardening for 20+ years. Wanting to know if there is something I can put on my arms topically that will help with skin irritation when I work around my vegetables?? Beans, squash, tomatoes, makes my arms itch like crazy when I am pulling weeds. Really don't want to wear long sleeves when gardening but I have been or just wash frequently. My garden is doing amazingly well this year! Thank you for your time,

[Gary350]

I think best thing to do is wash & rinse very well with soap and water 2 or 3 times soon as you leave the garden. I have allergies they get worse as I get older. Few weeks ago bed of truck was 1" deep in wet pine tree needles I scooped them out mostly with my left hand. I did not wash or rinse that night I have never been allergic to pine needles before. I itched very bad like poison ivy then I started washing & rinsing. Next day I was broken out with water blisters like 2nd degree burns worse on left hand than right hand. Lotion did nothing then week later all the skin pealed off fingers & hands were sore, cracked & bleeding. Cracks got infected and were extremely painful antibiotic cream helped & now 3 weeks later skin is still pealing off like bad burns. I never had anything like this before. Corn & tomatoes make me itch. After being in the tomatoes green water washes off my arms then itch goes away. Okra is worse itch than any plant except cactus. Squash is itchy, beans no problem. Try a long sleeve shirt.

[applestar]

I agree with long sleeves actually — I wear 100% cotton long sleeve tee. I don’t use sunscreen but have noted I still tan through the fabric. I do often roll up the sleeves though. However I always finish with washing all the harvest in at least 3 changes in buckets of water so in the process, starting with thoroughly soap washing to elbows, I probably manage to wash off any irritants.

Beans, squash, tomatoes — those are all plants that have fine hairs that exude drops of fluid. Tomatoes turn everything green/brown that turn bright chartreuse yellow in reaction with soap, so it’s easy to know, and squash spines can be prickly and hurt in any case, but worse if you are allergic since they penetrate skin. I try to wear gloves to protect my fingers/hands. Beans have mostly soft fuzz but you can feel the moisture, and the fuzz can be seen as you wash them and they will cling to clothing.

I always change into gardening clothes and change out of them immediately inside in the laundry room. That’s important too if you have allergies. Shower or at least wash face and gargle 3 times minimum (and rinse nose). I also wash my bangs and eye-wash.

[imafan26]

Long sleeves are the best protection from scratches, sap and contact allergies. I don't like to use long sleeves in the garden because it is impossible to keep the sleeves clean, but it is a garden shirt. The Landscapers cool shirts have 50 UPF UV protection and the material is light and designed to dry fast and promote cooling.

Calamine lotion can help with the itch.

[2-Acres-NorthWest]

Another thing I think about out in my garden is the effect of the sun's rays on my skin, and future skin cancers. I wear a white shirt that has been treated with UV resistant dye (bought on internet) because I spend hours out there every day. Keeps me cooler too , and I avoid some scratches and rashes.

[kayjay]

Hi. I break out in a rash, too, if my arms get scratched. I keep long dishwashing gloves by the door and I'll throw them on if I think I'm going to get scratched. When I'm too lazy to do that, I end up fighting the itching and rash with hydrocortisone cream. That's expensive and a pain in the butt.