When you work in the garden you sweat; and with the sweat pores wide open your body is exposed to any unwelcome chemicals that might cause an itch, a rash, or an even more serious reaction.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS?

• Toxins or allergens in plants.
• Dust, including dust in dry potting mixes and sawdust mulches, can be inhaled causing respiratory problems.
• Insects – Skin irritations from hairy caterpillars, spider bites, etc. Dust mites can trigger asthma attacks.
• Chemical pesticides (from garden sprays; or even residues from when the house was built).
• Pollutants - from lead, asbestos particles.
• Wood shavings, straw, and other fibrous mulching materials.
• Fibre from fibreglass - if you cut it, or from insulation material.
• Petrol fumes – from mowers, grass trimmers, etc.
  
  

HOW PLANTS CAN AFFECT PEOPLE

Skin
One of the most common reactions to plants in the garden is dermatitis, an itchy skin rash which is triggered by direct contact with a plant allergen. The rash may result from coming into contact with sap (usually covering the flowers) or leaves. The allergen may only occur in the plant at certain times of the year, eg. when the plant is flowering.
Treatment – anti-histamine or if it is extra bad, a steroid cream

Problem plants include: many Grevillea spp., agave, English box, chrysanthemum, euphorbia, ficus, ivy, oleander, plumbago, rhus, ranunculus, stinging nettle.

Urticaria (hives) is commonly caused by stinging nettle. It appears as itchy raised lumps which disappear and reappear on a different part of the body.
Treatment - Calamine lotion, cool bath, antihistamines

Hayfever/Respiratory problems
Sneezing, runny nose, red itchy eyes. Seasonal, occurring when the pollen count is high.
Treatment – note the pollen count each day and stay indoors. skin test followed by a course of desensitising injections, antihistamines, steroid nasal spray if symptoms are severe.
Asthma - minimise exposure to pollen

Problem plants: Grasses, especially Rye grass when it is flowering in spring.

Poisoning
Ingestion of plant parts can cause reactions ranging from irritation of the skin, mouth and throat to nausea, vomiting, convulsions and cardiac problems. Young children are most at risk because they can be attracted to brightly coloured fruits and berries.
Treatment – call your nearest Poisions Information Centre immediately (listed in the front of the White Pages telephone directory).

Problem plants: Oleander (all parts), privet (berries), bird of paradise (green pods), castor oil plant (all parts), rhubarb (leaf blade), daffodils, ivy (berries and leaves), white cedar (berries and leaves), kangaroo apple (green berries).

Other Problem Plants

• Being pricked with rose thorns can cause allergic reactions in some people, or the puncture wounds can become easily infected.
• The fine needle-like covering of the seed pods of Lagunaria patersonii (Norfolk Island Hibiscus) can be a severe irritant to skin, and in particular eyes.
• The milky-like sap of some plants (e.g. Euphorbia species, Ficus species) can be an irritant to skin.
• The fine dusty-like covering of the leaves of Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage) can cause respiratory problems if breathed in.
  
  

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• If you suffer from contact dermatitis, wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers and garden gloves to avoid direct skin contact with allergy-causing plants. Make sure you don’t brush/scratch your eyes, mouth, etc. with your gloves.
• In dusty situations, for example when you are potting up plants, spray a fine mist to settle the dust.
• Wear masks and goggles to protect the eyes from dust and pollen.
• Have a first aid kit handy, with anti-itching spray or lotion, calamine lotion, steroids, antihistamines. 
• Don’t have toxic plants in the garden, especially if you have young children.
• Be extremely careful about making homemade medicines from plant materials.
• Always positively identify plants before you use any part of them for food.
• Familiarise yourself with poison (neutralize …drink milk etc
  
  

HANDLING CHEMICALS
This includes chemicals such as pesticides, fertilisers, cleaning agents, and solvents such as mineral turps and methylated spirits. Many fertilisers or cleaning agents, for example, will dry out your skin if handled unprotected, and dust or fumes will irritate the nose and throat. Using gloves, eye protection, dust marks and gloves will help overcome this. 

• Always read the labels of such products for safety, storage and  use directions, and follow them.
• Use the recommended safety equipment. When spraying pesticides the minimum protection you should have are a long-sleeved short with a collar, long trousers, unlined gumboots (the lining absorbs chemicals), chemical resistant gloves, and a broad-brimmed hat. 
• Wash any exposed skin thoroughly after chemical use with water and soap.
• Don’t smoke eat or drink while using any chemicals.

HANDLING DUSTY SUBSTANCES
Many products commonly used in the garden, or by amateur propagators, can be hazardous, particularly if you are prone to respiratory problems, or you have long term exposure to such materials. Examples include: 

• Potting mixes – the fine particles can cause respiratory complaints. Potting mix may also contain the Legionella bacteria (cause of Legionnaires disease).
• Perlite and vermiculite used in potting and propagation mixes.
• Sawdusts 

Minimising Problems When Handling Dusty Materials

• Use a dust mask that provides a good seal to your face to prevent particles getting in behind the mask.
  
• Use safety glasses that also provide a good seal to prevent fine particles getting into your eyes.
  
• Spray such materials down with a fine mist of water to keep them moist.
  
• In workshops, greenhouses or garages where you are handling these types of materials make sure the area is well ventilated, or perhaps install an extraction fan to remove fine particles from where you are working. If possible have the fan low down near the floor, or waist height so that it sucks the particles down and out rather than up and out past head height. Make sure that the outlet from the fan directs the dust/particles somewhere it won’t be a problem. You may need to install some sort of filtering system, if you regularly use such materials.