Irritant plant rashes (irritant contact dermatitis)
Irritant plants may cause a local irritation or rash where they come into contact with the skin. Unlike poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you do not have to be allergic to the plant to develop a rash. Irritant plants include:
- Flower bulbs, such as hyacinth or daffodil bulbs or tulip bulb sheaths. These can cause a reaction called daffodil itch or tulip fingers. Tulips can cause either an irritant reaction or an allergic reaction.
- Roses, rose hips, and dahlias.
- Stinging nettle and spurge nettle.
- Herbs such as comfrey, borage, barberry, tansy, yarrow, garlic, and hot peppers.
- Rhubarb.
- Plants from the bromeliad family, such as pineapple and Spanish moss.
- Cacti and sharp grasses.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: September 25, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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