Garden Related Dermatitis

Working in the garden is a pleasurable hobby for many green-fingered enthusiasts. However, often, those green fingers can be needlessly blighted with chapped and sore skin. The answer to this problem is to practice a simple garden skin care routine.

The nation's gardening enthusiasts often overlook garden skin care. Whilst every care and attention is given to their plants, the gardener will sometimes neglect their own skin's health and safety. The result can be dry and sore hands that are not only painful to work with but also carry a higher risk of infection.

The normal garden is full of hazards that can cause skin irritation and dermatitis.

The National Eczema Association recommends taking precautions before handling plants that are known to commonly induce an adverse skin reaction. Contact with the leaves, stem or roots of offending plants can cause anything from a mild skin irritation to a more serious inflammation.

Of course, everybody realises the inherent hazards of the stinging nettle and poison ivy. However, many people also suffer from contact with a variety of other plants that commonly adorn our gardens. Popular plants that are known to cause skin reactions include the juniper, marigold, poinsettia, tomato, strawberry, garlic, onion, chive, leek, wild parsnip and hyacinth.

Some plants even have the dubious distinction of having specific dermatitis conditions associated to them by name. For example, "tulip fingers" is a condition where the tulip born allergen tuliposideA causes split and cracked skin on the fingertips.

Plants are not the only source of skin irritation in the garden, though. The soil itself is often a source of dermatitis.

Garden soil naturally contains ammonia and this can be responsible for inducing a skin reaction in some people. The situation can be exacerbated by the use of fertilizers and lawn treatment mixtures that often contain ammonia concentrates.

Even in the greenhouse, the gardener is not isolated from soil contact hazards. Perhaps surprisingly, potting compost is usually soil free typically containing peat moss, sand and composted bark. As a hydration aid, perlite, an amorphous volcanic glass, is also regularly used. Vermiculite and ground limestone are other common inclusions.

Whilst the compost components themselves are rarely a source of dermatitis, they do attract insects and bugs that can bite and induce skin rashes.

By employing sensible precautions, garden dermatitis problems can be minimized or alleviated altogether.

Wearing high grade gardening gloves can protect your hands and forearms. This is particularly important when working in a damp or wet garden. Lightweight surgical gloves are more suited for the delicate work in the potting shed.

Washing regularly is another obviously important routine. Of course, any cut or graze offers bacteria an open door passed the skin's front line defences. But, even without any break, it is imperative to remove any allergens from the skin as quickly as possible.

Keeping your skin supple and healthy is another necessity. By regularly using a top quality moisturising and skin protection cream you will be aiding your body's natural protective qualities.

Waterproof moisturising creams, that are grease free and allow your skin to breath, are the preference to wear inside gloves. Many products are available, but whichever you choose, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

By following these simple guidelines, working in the garden will leave you with healthy looking hands as well as lovely looking flowerbeds and lawns.