Rashes from cover crop mung beans

ziztine

Hi there,

I wanted to find out if anyone in this forum has experienced getting rashes after brushing against lots of mung bean plants. I am currently growing them in 5 gardening beds in a community plot. The beds are positioned fairly close to one another. They are 5 weeks old.

I suddenly develop itchy rashes on all my limbs over the last few days. Areas which I brushed against the plants. I work in my plot in shorts and sleeveless tops. I am suspecting that I have contact dermatitis. I have cured myself of hives and eczema thus I know for sure this is something different.

My hubby suspect it is an insect bite but since the rashes takes over the whole leg, I wonder whether that is likely.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

merlin44

Is it possible a herbicide or some chemical was used nearby and drifted onto your plants? Or if your husband is correct-chiggers? Hoping you heal quickly.

ziztine

I share my plot with another gardener. I cannot be 100% sure he does not spray. The plot I am growing on previously belongs to him. Thus there is a chance that he previously uses chemicals on the plot.

Thanks for the info on chiggers. I googled the images on chiggers bites. Doesn't look like it. No large spots or blotches. More like inflammation covering the whole limb with temporary raised hives-like skin when scratched.

This is what I found online:

http://www.agrinews-pubs.com/lifestyle/nancy-s-notes-what-s-bean-itching-you/article_b506e2fb-82d2-55e7-bdc4-ea816a21fe40.html

merlin44

@ziztine From the article, it certainly sounds like contact dermatitis. How are you treating it?

ziztine

Watermelon fast for 3 days to bring down the inflammation and thus the itch. Applying organic coconut oil on affected skin. Refraining the urge to scratch 😖

shllnzl

I have to scrub my skin that contacts any type of green plant or I will itch like crazy and turn red.

ziztine

Oh dear! So I am guessing you have to suit up every time you garden?

shllnzl

@ziztine Pretty close. Pruning shrubs requires full overalls and hat, shower afterwards. Usually gardening gloves is enough.

I have been hearing about the importance of grounding our bare skin to the earth: walking barefoot in the dirt makes me itchy too.

One summer picnic, while wearing shorts, I sat on the grass. I ended up with huge raised welts on my bare legs.

I am allergic to many things -- I refuse to live in a bubble.

Well gardening should be an adventure, yes?

ziztine

Yes! Gardening should be fun. I do grounding too. Sleep on an Earthing sheet at nights too.

One doesn't have to stay allergic for life imho. Some major lifestyle and diet change can be a real game changer. That is what I did to resolve my hives which I had 12 years ago. In fact, my overall health as well.

The watermelon fast & coconut oil is helping! After tonight, I can finally eat other stuff 😋