I was curious how many people are allergic to the latex? If so..what helps?

i don't have an issue with latex or fig. but, i found out that handling fig tree gives me "burns".

pete

Bullet.. this is what I found:

Phytophotodermatitis is an acute skin reaction that may be easily confused with other causes of contact dermatitis. It is characterized by sunburn, blisters, and/or hyperpigmentation. The reaction takes place when certain plant substances known as psoralens, after being activated by ultraviolet light from the sun, come in contact with the skin. This report describes phytodermatitis due to contact with figs.

Phytophotodermatitis typically manifests as a burning erythema that may subsequently blister. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation lasting weeks to months may ensue. In some patients, the preceding inflammatory reaction may be mild and go unrecognized by the patient. In this case, the patient presents with only pigmentary changes.

porch,

that must be what happened to me. i had what looked like cuts all over my arms after reporting. after looking at it carefully, they were blisters.

pete

Me too! Once I've been scratched it takes a long time for the scratch line to go away. Almost like it's been burned into my skin. My thumbnail will also start to bleed if I pick for too long. I saw online a certain medication for it. I'm looking for a cream that helps. I haven't found one yet.

I have a true latex allergy (not anaphylactic at this point) and about 2 weeks ago I was pinching leaves, and ONE DROP of latex ooze dropped on my thumb.  Within 2 minutes I broke out in a rash all over my body.    I try to wear poly gloves and long sleeves when rooting around my plants.  If my legs may possibly brush up against the leaves, I will wear long pants.  I also have experienced the cuts/gashes in my skin just from working with the leafy growth.   I do get quite itchy if the leaves brush against my skin, even briefly.   Wash my skin with soap, then rinse with vinegar, and rinse with water.  Benadryl ointment or tablet next.
   My question.....do I need to be concerned about eating the skin of the fresh fig??

Sara... I've never had any kind of reaction while eating figs, and I eat them skin and all. I've tried the benadryl ointment... that helped a little. I don't like to use the tablets b/c they make me a little sleepy. Of course if I'm that itchy...I will. The vinegar is interesting. I also wonder if brown soap would work. I too will pick with long sleeves and pants to avoid getting scratched. It's just hard when it's 112 degrees out. Of course my shirt and pants are super thin to try and stay cooler, but I get what you're saying. I saw something called Indomethacin. I'm going to look into this for next year.

@Figsontheporch...please research indomethacin before you consider taking, it is really hard on your stomach.   Another thing I think I will take when I know I will work for an extended period of time with my figs (which for me is more than 15 minutes) is a dose of pepcid.   It is an antihistamine, and does help block allergic reaction response.  It has helped me in the past.  And, it does not make one sleepy.      The vinegar removes all allergens from the skin and cleanses any nicks.  I use inexpensive distilled white vinegar which has been diluted with 3 parts water, keep it in a mist bottle (easier to control). 

Oh nice! I love your idea with the mist bottle!! Thank you for the information regarding the indomethacin. I am thrilled that you already know about it. I will stick to the vinegar and the pepcid. Do your finger nails ever bleed from too much picking? I wonder how quick the vinegar would work if I sprayed it directly to my finger. ??

I also am allergic to fig leaves like Pete.  My arms were so ad with blisters that they ached and burned at the same time.  I ended up going to the doctor.  He gave me a shot and a perscription for Triamcinoione Acetonide Cream. The doctor said my arm would heal in about four days.  It did work.  I wear a long sleeve shirt and a hat when working with my figs.  If I see any scratches or feel any itching on my arms I rub some of the Tiamcinolone cream on them. 

Vern  

@Porch...when you say your fingernails are bleeding...describe what you mean, please.  Are you bleeding by the cuticles?    The vinegar will cleanse, but always use soap/water, then vinegar, then water.  But I do take my vinegar mist with me and mist any offending touch right then and there until I can come back in and wash up.   The Triamclinoione Acetonide Cream is available by prescription here in the US, and I am betting the shot that Vern got was a steroid or anti-inflammatory.

I think I confirmed I have a reaction to the latex. I have touched the leaves and worked with the trees and nothing happened. When I was pulling off some figs the other night the latex got on my hand and dried and got sticky. My had started itchy a lot. I didnt get any blisters. I didn't even think it was an allergic reaction. Tonight I was doing the same thing and it happened again. Now I will be more careful.

thank god i don't have food allergy. i know people with food allergy. it's very serious matter. i heard stories about people just being near peanuts and going into shock.

my son took some fast food sandwich to school. he came home all upset, told me that teach throw that away as soon as she saw it. apparently, that fast food place uses peanut oil.

pete

Sorry y'all.. I'm at work and it took me a while to get back to my fig talk! Now... Thanks to all of you with new ideas for the allergic reactions! I'm adding all of these to the list I started when I was talking to Sara about vinegar. Sara... when I said my finger nail starts to bleed it's mainly my thumb nail since this is the nail I'm using to detach the fig. It's not the cuticle it's the sides of the nail, and underneath the nail at the top. I'm not talking dripping with blood, but blood definitely starts to form b/c the skin is so irritated. When my thumb gets sore I usually will put a rubber glove on. I hate the glove! lol

I haven't picked for a week now and I still have discoloration of skin wherever I've been scratched from the tree.

Noss...I wanted to tell you that my mom is also allergic to mango skin. I'm guessing you might be allergic to poison ivy as well? Mangoes and poison ivy are in the same family. It took a really long time for my mom's mouth to be a normal mouth. She was so blown up! She would scrape the fruit off the skin with her teeth, and it's the skin that's causing the allergic reaction.

I'm sensitive too but that hasn't stopped me! You should have seem my mouth all blistered when at UCD Wolfskill from tasting figs off the tree...was nicknamed fig-lips. By noon time I couldn't taste another fig the pain from the blisters/welts was that bad.

I remembered from childhood eating hot figs off the tree caused this. Picking fruit and letting it cool indoors a few hours then eating it did not have the same effect. I can eat as much as I want after they've rested a few hours...picking fruit does welt my skin when contact is made. Just have to be careful cause that isn't going to stop me. ;-)

This upcoming Aug trip I'm bringing enough storage containers to sample the fruit later on. No tasting for me in the orchard.

Sue

Oh wow! Sue..do you take anything for the blisters and welts? Have you tried some of the products in the comments above?

No, I haven't used anything on the welts. I'm a tough old bird and just grin and bear it...and from now on I'll just be proactive.  ;-)

@Figs....have you given thought to using a pruning shear to remove the figs, or you can find cotlets (a one finger glove) that are made from cotton or latex or non-latex.  Usually in pharmacy sections. 
    Does anyone else out there have any suggestions on fig-picking technique? 

saramc ,
Would you have any idea what to do if a bit of fig latex were to get in someone's eye from latex on fingers or some other way ?
Hasn't happened , but I thought you might be someone who would know the medically appropriate reaction to such a situation. I am guessing flushing with lots of water, but what else, if anything ? I am supposing a small amount of latex and someone who isn't highly allergic to latex.
Thanks for any info ,
Kerry

Kerry...I would recommend immense amount of water flush, and you could also use eye drops geared toward allergies.  I actually use the eye drops before I go work with the figs, and when I get done, and repeat as needed.  For irritated eyes/eye tissue, I personally like to apply cold cucumber slices, cool damp tea bags, or a cool wash cloth.  The cold cucumber slices seem to work the best for periorbital swelling brought on by allergic response.  The tea bags supply tannin which help sooth the irritation, and the wash cloth just is moist. 

@Noss...I hate that you had that level of a reaction to the mangoes.  That may be worth getting a prescription for an epi-pen, just in case a future reaction goes anaphylactic. You're living on the edge.   That being said, I have been cautioned to monitor for allergic reaction to mangoes and bananas, but my skin tests have been negative so far.  They told me that since I have a true latex allergy that I may not develop the food related allergy (mango and banana are related to the rubber tree).  It got really interesting when my then elementary aged child was having a party at school and someone handed me a balloon to blow up...I was caught up in the moment, didn't stop to think, and blew up the balloon.  Then I blew up.  Now if I even touch a latex balloon I have a reaction.   Anyway....reactions are dangerous and I am so hoping that my fig reaction does not advance any farther.

Took me a while but I finally relocated this website I had seen before.  I think you should distinguish between an allergic reaction and a normal reaction to a toxic substance.  When I had my first figs I think I ate part of the neck that must of had some sap and my lips and tongue were numb the next day.  Everyone reacts to poison ivy but I guess some will have an over reaction if they are allergic.

http://www.flyingdoc.co.uk/fig_tree_revenge.htm

@Noss...glad to know your doctor did not think the mango reaction was a worry.  Wouldn't want anything to happen to you Viv! 

tmc, I just saw that site the other day. That was a bad case. All I get is some reddishness, like a sunburn, and some itching.