Ficus contact allergy?

[Oddly_Aude]

My hands have itchy bumps on them. Not red. Very small. It only started happening a couple days ago after messing with my mallsai ficus bonsais.

It hasn't happened in the past with my first ficus bonsai. But it did start happening with my three new ones.

Anyone else allergic to ficus?

In the meantime, I'll just wear gloves, but this feels unfair, uncalled for, and like a personal attack by my bonsai.

 

[Gabler]

My hands have itchy bumps on them. Not red. Very small. It only started happening a couple days ago after messing with my mallsai ficus bonsais.

It hasn't happened in the past with my first ficus bonsai. But it did start happening with my three new ones.

Anyone else allergic to ficus?

In the meantime, I'll just wear gloves, but this feels unfair, uncalled for, and like a personal attack by my bonsai.

Latex allergy is fairly common.

 

[Oddly_Aude]

Latex allergy is fairly common.

Huh. I have actually been bothered by latex in the past.

Though my grandmother pointed out it could be the poinsettias. I just got them for free and the bumps didn't really start until recently. I've been touching them every day checking their soil too.

 

[Gabler]

If latex has bothered you in the past, then I would assume it's the ficus.

 

[Oddly_Aude]

True, an allergy can develop any time I suppose. But I've had my first ficus for 3 years and he's never bothered me either by touching him or his sap.

That's why I'm confused. But I figure gloves will work.

 

[vesper818]

I have had that instant poison oak reaction from trimming our fig trees, so it might ge the sap.

 

[RJG2]

I'm going with latex allergy too - unless you're playing with something pointy - I get contact dermatitis (same symptoms you describe) working on needle junipers, spruce and pine (anytime that pokes me a bunch, really).

 

[Shibui]

I have very few allergies and never had any problem with ficus bonsai but a few weeks ago pruning a garden sized fruiting fig - Ficus carica I ended up with allergic reaction all over exposed skin on arms. I did get quite a bit of sap on me but they also have irritating hairs so not sure if it was allergy to the latex or just a physical reaction to the tiny punctures. It was also a hot, sticky, summer day so there's the possibility of reaction to perspiration and ficus sap/hairs.
Definitely not life threatening, just uncomfortable and all gone after 12 hours or so.

Never had such a reaction before but not looking forward to the next fig pruning session.

My hands have itchy bumps on them. Not red. Very small. It only started happening a couple days ago after messing with my mallsai ficus bonsais.

It hasn't happened in the past with my first ficus bonsai. But it did start happening with my three new ones.

Are the new ficus the same species as the previous? There may be some differences from one species to another? Any other possible contributing factors as in interaction with some other factors that have not been present on previous occasions?

Gloves are a small price to pay for comfort.

 

[plant_dr]

@Oddly_Aude So when you said, "Send help!" in your other post, you really meant it, huh!?? Those ficus were really trying to get you weren't they? Lol