Irritating Characters!

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 7

Irritating Characters!

There are a surprising number of garden plants which produce skin irritations of one sort and another. Most persons have heard of the “poison ivy” which grows in the woods in America, and which is so virulent that folks who are sensitive to it—or allergic, as the more technical-minded will have it—don't even have to touch the plant to develop a severe rash. Fortunately this plant is practically unknown in New Zealand. Not all irritant plants are as severe in their effects as this horror. But there are a number which are seldom suspected by the man-in-the-street. Primula obcomca the glasshouse plant affects some people but not others. And it is possible to change in sensitivity to this plant One well-known Christchurch nurseryman who has been handling this plant without trouble all his life has now. at the age of 80. developed an allergy. He develops quite a severe rash if he even goes in the house containing them! Cases are known of persons developing allergies to chrysanthemums and tomatoes where they have handled them for a number of years. Why an allergy suddenly develops tn this way is not certain—perhaps the build-up of toxins in the system—or even the handling of plants when in a low physical condition. Hay fever is perhaps the best-known allergy of all. although this is contracted

through the nose, rather than by manual contact. Some of the barrier creams available are quite effective in preventing rashes where persons are sensitive to them. The range of plants capable of causing allergies —albeit to a small proportion of the population—is a very wide one. so don’t scoff, ladies, if your husband develops an allergy to grass clippings!