Skin problems

[David Nicholson]

Since November last I seem to have been plagued by a series of skin problems, never having previously suffered from these kinds of problems. I have had three quite different treatments from the Doctors I have seen at my local surgery, none of which have yet solved the problem, so I thought I would post here and see if any otheres have had similar symptons.

I first went to see the Doctor in November last with what I thought was perhaps an insect bite on my lower ankle that refused to clear up after a series of 'home' remedies. The Doctor wasn't sure if it was an insect bite, but equally wasn't sure it wasn't! and prescribed a course of steroid cream treatment. For a while the sore seemed to clear up but some weeks later returned but this time with an added rash on my legs, back and arms. Another Doctor thought this might be an allergic reaction and prescribed a course of anti-histamine tablets and yet more steroid cream.

At home we are using the same shower/bath preparations we have always used, and Maureen is using the same laundry materials she has always used-she has had no problems. I told the Doctor I was a gardener, and that I grew Primulas and I know that some primulas can cause a skin reaction. He was aware, but wasn't sure that this was the root cause.

After a couple of weeks, and no better I returned to the surgery and saw yet another Doctor. He thought that the cause wasn't an allergeric reaction but was possibly a fungal problem related to ringworm. I was horrified at this until he told me that ring worm is nothing to do with worms at all but is to do with bacterial infection. These can be picked up, through small cuts/grazes etc., and the kinds of bacteria exist in soil, on animals and in animal excrement (cats in gardens!) and from other people. His remedy was a fungal cream treatment of a similar kind to that used for treating athlete foot etc.

Although there has been limited improvement on some parts of me, my arms and legs are still covered in angry red patches which do not tend to be sore but are certainly very itchy. I have noticed recently that my eye lids have been sore and red also.

For the last week or so I have taken to wearing latex gloves when working in the garden/greenhouse but I can't say that I like them. Firstly they make my hands sweat, and I just don't get the 'feel' of plants properly-I always say it feels a bit like having a bath but leaving your socks on! I have to return to see the Doc sometime next week to see where we go from here.

Anyone suffering now/have suffered in the past, with any information to throw in the hat would be welcomed.

[Anthony Darby]

I sometimes suffer from cracked skin on my hands and fingers if I have been gardening for a long time. I treat with hand cream and the worst cracks I cover with a plaster. It can be quite painful, almost like a paper cut. My dad had the same problem, but gardening was definitely not his excuse. What with your spots, my cracks and Cliff's wind?

Curiously, if it is fungal David, your best bet could be a vet. A doctor will precribe creams and ointments and the problem may go away in 6 months? A vet will give you a tablet the size and power of a photon torpedo and the problem (may) go away in a week. It worked for a friend, but then he had the size and constitution of an ox! Allergic reactions should clear up with anti-histimine like Piriton. E45 or HC45 were only marginally effective for me. I know I'm allergic to cat scratches and caterpillar hairs and Hyacinth bulbs.

[David Nicholson]

Tried E45 Anthony, it helped the itchiness but didn't clear up the problem. Vet? maybe worth a try will see what the Doc says next week first though.

[David Shaw]

If the patient doesn't respond to treatment the vet is allowed to put the patient down!!!!!

[Anthony Darby]

I'd leave your latex gloves at home and hope the vet doesn't have his own pair?

[Diane Clement]

I also used to suffer from eczema on my hands which was clearly gardening related but I could never work out what caused it.  It used to start in the summer and be so bad the itching would keep me awake.  The best treatment I found was Gloves in a Bottle - a sort of barrier cream that actually bonds to your skin and allows it to heal.

http://www.allergybestbuys.co.uk/  then go to "A - Z of products" and select Gloves in a bottle.

But now I just use single use latex gloves.  They are quite cheap - less than £3 a box of 100 if you buy a few boxes - do an internet search.

[Lesley Cox]

David I have never suffered from such problems but I know people who do. In particular, I had a friend (the breeder of my little nerines) who suffered badly from a rash on her hands and face, if she touched it, the result of prolonged handling of forms of Primula auricula and P. marginata. It was apparently the farina or meal which caused the problem. Since you work with these plants a lot, that is a possible cause. What's more, my friend found it to be a cumulative thing. The longer she grew auriculas, the worse the rashes became. The rashes were positively identified, by the allergy ID process, largely one of elimination, so far as I can tell.

According to the National Poisons Centre, which is here in Dunedin and which I've just phoned,there is really no specific treatment for Primula rash, except the usual soothing creams and such as would be used for insect bites and the like. They recommend the use of gloves when handling - yes, a real pain I know - and that you wash your hand in methylated spirit after every handling of all primula plants. Apparently all parts of the plants - all species - have toxins to a varying degree but the pollen and the farina are the worst.

Euphorbias of course are a very bad source of such irritations and several other plants such as campanulas, which have latex-like substances in their structures.

[Joakim B]

David
Sorry to hear about Your problem.
Soil may also dry out the skin and give a little itch. This is different for different soils but one thing I try to do is to have my hands well oiled before so that the hands are not dry. It also makes cleaning the hands easier. The use of strong soaps to get the hands clean may also dry out the skin.
Dry hands (and legs) are more sensitive to any pollutant and it penetrates the skin much easier.
Try to "moister up" before doing gardening.
Some people are also sensitive to the latex gloves or the powder they use so there are powder free as well but they cost more. Vinyl gloves are not so tight and can maybe also be used.
My mother always use cotton cloves and think they help. She also have eczema and are sensitive to have the hads to long in water or working in soil.

Maybe the "moister up" thin works better before the problems came but people should be careful working in the garden with dry hands. Also think of using "sensitive detergent" and mild soaps for the hands.
Excess washing of the hands also dry out the hands and this may also give problem.

Hope You find a treatment that help You work in the garden.

Kind regards
Joakim

PS Even if You us the same detergent as You always have and the same as Your wife they may have changed and be part of the problem so think about getting new and milder.

[ian mcenery]

David in view of Lesley's comments have you thought  of posting a question on any specialist primula site forums that exist ? I have found these sites in the past but this morning do you think I can   but I am sure as an enthusiast you will know these yourself. Good luck

[David Pilling]

Someone I know suffered from Lyme disease last year. It is thought he caught it gardening - the garden is surrounded by sheep. His initial symptoms were nothing like the classic ones of a circular rash.

He's back gardening now, but taking a firm line with mice and ticks.

There are all sorts of things you can catch from insect bites, then again it is common to meet people who are allergic to latex.

[Ian Y]

David I would strongly advise you and everyone to apply a barrier cream before you start working in the garden, like Diane suggests.
I use a wet work barrier cream which does not wear off when handling wet plants and soil - it also makes it easier to keep your hands and nails clean.
I use one most of the time and have no skin problems if I forget or don't bother to apply it I get skin problems.
Applying creams to dammaged skin afterwards is just treating the sympton - using a barrier cream cuts out the cause.

[ian mcenery]

There are all sorts of things you can catch from insect bites, then again it is common to meet people who are allergic to latex.

David if you go down the glove route the following may be of help. Today I went to see one of my clients (well I have to work sometimes). His business is in marketing specialist products  into Research including sundries such as gloves. His comments on protective gloves are as follows. Unless you are using the correct gloves these may in themselves cause problems. Latex gloves often contain proteins which can for some people cause irritation as can the powder usually a starch based product often used to make the gloves feel more comfy or less clammy.

The current science suggests that Nitrile (a synthetic product) gloves without powder are unlikely cause allergies. Needless to say I use these in the garden on a one trip basis

[David Nicholson]

Many thanks for responding folks with some very helpful advice.

I think I have been pretty cavalier in my attitude to hand care (and indeed skin care) and protection in the past, I have rarely used gloves, barrier creams or moisturisers (apart from a bit of sun cream) and maybe I am paying the penalty now. I do find it difficult to understand though why I should be afflicted now having spent most of the last five years thoroughly immersed in the garden!

I have ordered some Nitrile gloves and until they arrive shall try a barrier cream. If I find I can't cope with gloves then I shall fall back on barrier cream.

I return to the Docs sometime next week to review the situation (not a great deal of improvemnet) and will post further as and when.

Many thanks once again.