Has anyone else experienced this from hours of picking? This happens to me if the sap gets on me, or even if I'm scratched from a branch. It's SO itchy! I'm trying to find out what will help. I attached some photos. It totally resembles poison ivy.

Phytophotodermatitis (also known as "Berloque dermatitis"^[1]:32) is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. It is frequently mistaken for hereditary conditions such as atopic dermatitis or chemical burns, but it is caused by contact with the photosensitizing compounds found naturally in some plants and vegetables like parsnips, citrus fruits, and more.^[2]

Bingo-

This is the first year i have been getting tiny blisters all over my hands and arms.

But is has gone away right now. But I have planted other stuff this year like radishes and carrots, so i can't say for sure its the figs. But I pinched the heck out all of them that I had sap all over me.

It happens if I get a lot of sap on me from figs, but it has to be quite a bit, gloves, long sleeves are the best recommendations I can give.

Try Plantain (the weed) for the itch, wash and freeze a whole bunch of the biggest leaves you can find (leaves become smaller and drier when flowering) and then apply frozen leaves to the spots so the juice can soak into your skin. I have never had this problem with figs but it really stops the itch of poison ivy or bug bites. Every year I cure somebody who is being driven insane itching with plantain, it grows in most parts of the country so I hope this year it is you! Go try and find some!

Photo of the best type:

Plantain weed is useful for burns and stings as well, but it is mostly used by me for tortoise food. Hold a match to the leaf and then rub the juice onto the afflicted area. I mostly use Aloe for first aid though. don't want to deny my torts

Plantain huh?! Excellent! I've never heard that one before. It takes a while for the itch to subside, and then it's followed by an actual scar. I wear gloves, and protective clothing, but sometimes I just run up into the tree without my protective clothing telling myself I'm going to just do a "quick pick" and be done. That of course never happens and I pay the price. I pulled 130lbs of figs this year. Best year yet. For the amount of rash I've gotten... I guess it's not too bad. I will definitely look into the Plantain! Thankfully for my skin the season is over.

Great photo!!

Ok Brent, are we smoking this Plantain or what. Never heard of this remedy. Will have to look this weed caractor up to see what it look s like. I don't have any problems with fig sap, but poison ivy and others, all the time. Medicine cabinet is full of crap that doesn't work.
As for figsontheporch, I'd cover up real well and wash with Lava soap after being near figs. That looks like it hurts.

luke

Ahh... Lava Soap. Is that like brown soap?? Stuff we used for poison ivy when we were small.

Check this out:
http://www.prairielandherbs.com/plantain.htm
I see there is an oil too. It does mention that fresh leaves probably work the best.

In my effort to get a gazillon of free cuttings from Catherine's Nacido and that Wild One, My arms were really itchy, but they didn't develop blisters like that.  However, I wear elbow length gloves when going deep into fig trees now.

Calamine Lotion could help, or Baking Soda made into a paste. 

Reminds me, my little friend, Carollee and I were picking Blackberries over at granpa's house, and Carollee got poison oak.  Just a little on her arm.  Gramp taught me to avoid, but she got it, and got a lot of attention from her family, so jealous little sister went over to grandpa's and RUBBED the stuff on herself.  She was truly sorry, and looked like a ghost for days with that Calamine Lotion.

If you know you are allergic, you should take precautions, like big long gloves!!

Suzi

Here in Nj it's green(Lava soap) but I guess it could be different colors in other parts of the country. I'm not sure what's in it, but it's good for removing grease and oil. Mechanics used to use it all the time, til they came up with all the new products. It's a little harsh, but will remove what makes you have reaction to plant. Never tried, but Gojo might work too.

luke

Hoosier Banana: How fast does it stop the itching and where can you buy it?  What about mosquito bites or eczema?  I've tried everything under the sun, so I'm always doubtful of yet another new home remedy.  Still keeping an open mind though. 

I like the longer glove idea. I would like to find longer gloves, but thin. I need to be able to feel the fig. Just so you guys know. I wear a long sleeved tissue t-shirt, long cotton pants, and gloves. Most of my fig season is in 100 degree weather. Sometimes you just want to skip all the clothing. I know. I should know better.

I found out that the correct term for this allergy is "ficin dermatitis".

You are NOT going to be happy with this idea, but, it could be valid... Drag Queens, Prom Queens wear these long, elbow length gloves.  Maybe Ebay has them?  Thrift stores?  Cotton, breathable? 

Mine are actually rubber dish-washing "to the elbow" gloves, but not probably the best idea in high humidity.

Maybe you could dip your hands and arms into some kind of mask, that dries, and then you can peel it off after you harvest the figs?

Just trying to help........

Suzi

Thanks for the info on plantain, Brent. I remember picking it and crushing it between my fingers as a kid just because I liked the feel of it, but I never knew it was useful. I'll have to let a patch grow in the yard instead of always pulling it like a weed.

Suzi..my mom mentioned your mask idea to me once. I love that idea too, but what to use? My mom also mentioned maybe rubbing some kind of oil all over my skin as a type of barrier. I tend to take all the layer of clothes off, jump into my outdoor tub and wash with soap. I would like to think this helps a little by washing off as soon as possible.

I'm still wondering how and why you were picking figs with your toes?

Grant
z5b
there is a product out called, liquid gloves, I think, basically just some sort of soap that you rub onto your hands until it dries forming a barrier,,, and because it is soap it makes clean up a  lot easier.

The itching stops fast, within 5-10 minutes, I freeze it then rub it in gently so as to not scratch myself. It works several hours for me. It is an invasive weed that is all over the country, but prefers rich soils I think. There are thinner leaved species than what I posted a picture of that are supposed to work also but not as well. A defining characteristic of the genus is that leaf stems can be snapped and pulled to expose tough fibers that run down the leaf on the underside of the veins.

I have never needed to buy any, just have to harvest a bunch before it goes to seed completely and the leaves deteriorate.

p.s. pic was from Wikipedia.

I had the same thing and man was it itchy I went to a skin doctor and he told me to soak in Dermboro powder which is an old time treatment  let it dry and put a thin layer of cortisone cream it worked like a charm  it dried it up and no itching whatsoever 

thanks Noss.
Grant