Allergy

[Sheann]

My partner has been gardening this week working in particular near poppies. He has now got a bright red rash all over his face and arms, also swollen though not overly itchy. He saw an elderly locum doctor who said it could be photosynthesis - which I thought only affected plants! Does anyone have any ideas please, all suggestions gratefully received
Many thanks

[Sqad]

An elderly locum eh!......so what?

Your partner almost certainly misheard this "elderly locum doctor" who almost certainly said....."photosensitivity"

Is your partner elderley perhaps?

[sunny-dave]

Duplicate thread

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1138872.html

[douglas9401]

Well if it is photosynthesis it'll bolster his green credentials. We should all take a leaf out of his book. :)

Has he tried an antihistamine?

[rowanwitch]

many poppies have fine hairs on the stems and leaves which break of in the skin and can cause irritation they also have sap which can cause rashes in sensitive individuals The big showy ones and the meconopsis types are worse. He could easily transfer sap to his face with his hands

I cover up and wear gloves if I have to work with poppies, foxgloves and monkshood because of toxic sap and also when pruning conifers or I end up looking like I have something horrible

[sunny-dave]

Golden Hop is my current unfavourite - the stems are rough (like sandpaper) and hairy and an incautious brush against one the other day brought up a great red weal across my arm ...