Bad Reaction To Ficus Sap!!

LivingArt

Now I’m not sure but if this caused it but I was pruning a Ficus and I left some sap on my index finger which I normally don't do but my sis was here and I had to rush off. Hour later my index finger middle finger and thumb swelled up like a balloon! It's a Benjimina and I did hear about figs have an irritant sap. Well just to be safe be safe! Wash your hands cuz my fingers are still pretty swollen and it's been almost two hours!

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LivingArt

HAS THIS HAPPEND TO ANYONE! I'M FREAKING OUT! If it has then atleast i know what it is that did this but if not then EEK!

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TreeBay

Ficus sap is where Latex (natural rubber) is derived. You may have a latex allergy. It affects some 10% of the general population in varying degrees.

WebMD.com

Here are some additional links for you:

AllergicReactions.com

www.OSHA-slc.gov

Disclaimer: "I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV."

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BonsaiMon

LivingArt...the sap from ficus is not an enjoyable ting..
when pruning ficus I have a hose standing by for me and the tree...or a bucket of water for me.. wash off frequently and rinse the tree this helps to keep the sap from causing this irritation..
I haven't had swelling but redness at point of contact..prunning from the bottom up also helps as it keeps your hands above the dripin sap...the rinsein of the tree as you prune helps alot...make sure you remove all the sap as it will continue to irritate for some time..

peace...

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peace,
tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

RonMartin(deceased)

Allergenic reactions to ficus sap are not all that common but it does happen. Usually after long and repeated exposure to the sap. I know of two professional growers of ficus that have the problem. But only after many years of exposing themselves to the sticky stuff on a daily basis.
Most of the time it is only a slight redness but sometimes a bit of swelling does occur.
I asked a dermatologist about this once and she told me that the best way to prevent the problem was to just wash your hands after you are done. A way to prevent it in the first place ( for most people) is to put on a good hand cream before you start to work. This will put a barrier of sorts between you and the sap.
I use a Revlon product called Silicare. The silicone in it really helps out. Sap of all kinds seems to wash off much easier when I use that before I start working on a tree
Vaseline Intensive Care hand cream is also another good product for this.

LivingArt

Thanks for all your help. I went to my doctor the next day when the swelling didn't go down and he said to use equate and cortizone. The weird thing is there are almost invisible red dots in a band across the back of my index finger. I guess and hope it's because that's where the sap was the worst but I just don't know. The doctor said the only way to find out for sure would be to put some sap on my hand and leave it for a while and I don’t really want to do that again. Hopefully this thread will provide a warning for people. I did find out that I'm not allergic to latex but the doctor said the sap has significant differences especially for me because I have had allergies all my life.
Thanks again

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