skip to main content

Butterfly Garden

Milkweed allergies anyone?

16 years ago

I've read the posts & FAQ about the terrible eye injuries sustained by contact with milkweed sap, but has anyone ever had any other types of reactions to handling milkweed like nausea or anything?

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience other allergic reactions to it.

Bobbi

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

MissSherry
16 years ago
Not me, and I have big time allergies, also asthma. I haven't handled it a LOT, but enough that if I were going to be allergic to it, I'd have known.
The only problem it creates is the eye damage due to the abrasiveness and/or toxicity of the milky stuff - I wouldn't let a baby around it, since they tend to put everything in their mouths.
MissSherry
mboston_gw
16 years ago
As with anything that oozes a milky sap, I welt up from it. I have some kind of milkweed vine and it really bothers me if I cut it and the sap touches me.
Related Discussions
New to Forum! Anyone want Swamp Milkweed/Anyone have Cimicifuga?
Q
Comments (1)
Welcome to Gardenweb! I don't know why this forum is so slow this year. It used to be busier. The Trees Forum, where I hang out most of the time, is still hopping with activity, but this forum has slowed way down. As for transplanting Asclepias incarnata, I think you'll find that it's much easier than transplanting A tuberosa. It does need lots of sun, so maybe that's why yours is not doing as well. A incarnata is naturally more tall and lanky than tuberosa, so you shouldn't expect it to have similar form. It should flower though. Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty' is a really pretty plant, but do realize that it's patented. Growing unauthorized divisions would be illegal. If someone had it and no longer wanted it, they could turn over the entire plant to you, but they legally couldn't give you a division while continuing to grow the original plant. The legal issue of this plant may be like running a stopsign in the middle of the desert, where you can see that there are no cars in the surrounding miles, but I thought you still might want to know. Hope to see you at the swap. The fall swaps are typically a little smaller than the spring swaps, but we should have around 20 or so if things go as normal. We always have PLENTY of plants in need of a good home!
...See More
Anyone with seasonal allergies
Q
Comments (5)
I had strong hay fewer from childhood so I know how limiting allergies can be. I used to hate it sooo much. And practically all pills made me sleepy, even if they had "Non drowsy" labels all over... And no pills helped entirely, I always had more or less allergic problems. So when my doctor put me on Singulair it just simple has changed my life. I am not sleepy and I practically do not have any alergic problems. My alergic asthma is perfectly controlled too. Actually last year I first time in my life could smell spring. It is funny - I always thought that spring smells just in poetry since I was not able to smell it really. I am so fond of Singulair that I always recommend it to everybody with allergies. It definitely has changed my life...and I know it sounds kinda ridiculous. But if you had such a bad allergy and suddenly you did get rid of it - you would understand. Anyway, good luck to everybody to control any allergy.
...See More
Anyone have a peanut allergy?
Q
Comments (7)
My son has a life-threatening peanut allergy. We go through this every year. He doesn't even get to go...never has. It's just not worth the chance. Aside from leaving out the obvious M&Ms (plain or peanut, or any of their flavors), you have to watch out for the not-so-obvious. Often the "specialty" packaged Halloween candy is made not at the same plant that makes the original candy. For example, the candy bar at the convenience store may be peanut free. That same brand may produce a "mini" version for Halloween. That "mini" version may be manufactured in a different plant that DOES process peanuts. It will have a peanut warning label...where as the convenience store candy bar DID NOT. This is difficult for a child to understand. This is where Michael thinks candy makers are out to trick him. Even the things you know are safe in their typical, usual size...I encourage you to check the ingredients if there is special sizing/packaging for Halloween. The peanut warning will come at the end with the other allergens, if any. Of course, this is true of all holiday special packaging...not just Halloween. If there are any halloween treats that are "jelly bean-like," check the package. Many jelly beans have peanut flour. Pixie Stix, SweeTarts, Smarties, Peppermints, Skittles, that nature of candy has been okay for us in the past. We stay away from Halloween packaged chocolate...I just give Michael the regular-sized versions of what I know he can have. That makes him feel like he has madeup for trick-or-treating. Good luck!
...See More
Has anyone grown giant milkweed, and if so, would you recommend it?
Q
Comments (2)
Jacob, I think you mean Calotropis. I haven't grown it yet, but I have seeds for Calotropis gigantea and C. procera. I read that germination can take up to 3 months so I'm starting germination in November. That should be enough time to get the plants to a decent size before putting them out. I'd really love to see them flower, thats why I'm starting so early. I hear the leaves are so thick that the Monarch caterpillars will usually hang their crysalides from them, and those thick leaves can also feed a lot of caterpillars. Both Calotropis species look very similar, but the Calotropis procera has more fragrant flowers. The seeds for both are pretty easy to find on the internet. Yeah, you know when I first discovered it I thought how cool a giant milkweed and of course I got seeds. Wonder why I didn't hear of it sooner??? I don't know your location, but if you're living in south Florida or someplace hot then you have it made as far as growing Calotropis. I think once I have plants next year it may be more practical to root cuttings and overwinter them. https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/milkweed-plant-seed-resources/calotropis-procera-milkweed-tree/
...See More
leubafr
16 years ago
No, but I got it in my eyes a couple of years ago and will NEVER touch it and then touch my face again before I wash my hands. Be very careful getting it on your hands and then touching your face. It is extremely painful and costly.

Leubafr (Mary)
tdogmom
16 years ago
Never had any issues with handling it EXCEPT for the eye...been there TWICE (accidentally, no less, and let me tell you, it is NO fun). I constantly wash my hands anyway, since I work with Kindergartners but with the Milkweed I have to constantly remind myself, "Don't touch your face when you are in the garden, Sherry!!!"
Linda Maio
5 years ago
I found this message thread because I have been feeling fatigue and congestion ever since I started working closely with the milkweed. I wondered if anyone else had these symptoms.
Chris748
3 years ago
I put it on my face to remove little skin cancers. My face swelled up on the side that I administered it and broke out in tiny blisters lasted about 4 days but did remove the cancers. So advice if you use it do not go out for a few days.
docmom_gw
3 years ago
Linda,

I am a doctor, so I have some knowledge. It’s possible your fatigue/congestion is caused by allergies, but it could be related to many plants or molds that are currently releasing pollen or spores, so present in the air around you. It’s hard to identify/confirm particular allergens unless they cause contact reactions on the skin, or you undergo controlled allergy testing. Your fatigue might even be caused by increased physical activity or time spent in the sun, rather than any allergy at all. Most allergic reactions involve sneezing, itchy eyes, rashes, sinus congestion, etc. Fatigue is a pretty vague, non-specific symptom.

Martha
HU-275344865
3 years ago
I have broken out in a rash very similar to the rash I get from poison ivy.
HU-317335929
9 months ago
Currently my face , especially around the eyes, is swollen and my face on the right side mostly, is very itchy. I noticed the milkweed growing on my property and like a dummy, I touched the flowering part and ...lol sniffed it! It smells pretty.. any way a few hours later I noticed the swelling and redness in my face.. I'm guessing it's from the milkweed. This was about 3 days ago when it started.

Related Stories

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Help Monarchs and Other Butterflies by Planting Common Milkweed

By Pollination Press LLC

Summer-blooming Asclepias syriaca is an important larval host plant for the monarch butterfly and attracts a number of pollinating insects

HEALTHY HOME 18 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home

By Laura Gaskill

If you're itching to reduce allergy symptoms, this mini guide to reducing allergens around the house can help

DECORATING GUIDES The Cure for Houzz Envy: Guest Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make overnight guests feel comfy and cozy with small, inexpensive niceties

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS Great Design Plant: Asclepias Is Attractive to Monarch Butterflies

By Debbie Ballentine

Increase monarch butterfly populations in California by planting stunning native milkweeds

CHRISTMAS Real vs. Fake: How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

Pitting flexibility and ease against cost and the environment can leave anyone flummoxed. This Christmas tree breakdown can help

DECORATING GUIDES Breathe Easier by Allergyproofing Your Home

By Vanessa Brunner

Don't turn your nose up at these simple ways to keep pollen and other allergens from infiltrating your home

GARDENING GUIDES How to Find the Right Native Plants for Your Yard

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Find plant maps, sale sites and guides that make going native in the garden easier than ever

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

HEALTHY HOME What You Need to Know About Dust and How to Fight It

By Mitchell Parker

Breathe easier with these 10 tips for busting mites, dander and other microscopic undesirables

BATHROOM COLOR Spring Forward With a Green Bathroom

By Jennifer Ott Design

Use nature’s freshest hues to make your space really sing

Sponsored

More Discussions

?what to do with this little guy?

3