Blanket flowers can indeed make you itch if you come into contact with them. They have hairy leaves that contain lactones, which are compounds that can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. Contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation that results in a red, itchy rash.
I learned about the potential for blanket flowers to cause itching the hard way. A few years ago, I was doing some gardening and decided to plant some blanket flowers in my backyard. I had heard that they were beautiful and low-maintenance, so I thought they would be a great addition to my garden.
As I was planting the blanket flowers, I didn’t think much about wearing gloves. I usually don’t have any issues with plants causing skin irritation, so I didn’t see the need for gloves at the time. However, little did I know that blanket flowers were different.
After spending some time handling the blanket flowers and touching their leaves, I started to notice a slight itchiness on my hands. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was just a minor irritation that would go away on its own. However, the itchiness persisted and soon turned into a full-blown rash.
The rash was red and patchy, and it spread across the areas of my hands that had come into contact with the blanket flowers. It was incredibly itchy, and I found myself constantly scratching my hands, which only made it worse. The discomfort lasted for several days before finally subsiding.
After doing some research, I discovered that the culprit behind my itchy rash was the lactones present in the blanket flowers’ hairy leaves. These compounds can cause an allergic reaction in some people, leading to contact dermatitis.
From that experience, I learned the importance of wearing gloves when working with blanket flowers or any other plant that may cause skin irritation. Gloves act as a barrier between your skin and the potential irritants, reducing the risk of developing a rash or other allergic reactions.
So, if you plan on working with blanket flowers or have them in your garden, I highly recommend wearing gloves to protect your skin. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to avoiding contact dermatitis and the uncomfortable itching it can cause.