I've been researching on-line, and it appears that some people can be allergic to oils or sap from vegetable leaves, including zuch and squash-family (also tomato and carrot). The rash or irritation tends to be worse where your skin actually comes in contact with the plant because the little spiky bristles on the plant break the skin and the toxins get in, but apparently it is possible to also spread it when you get particles on your hands and touch other places on your body, like with poison ivy. Long sleeves/pants, gloves, and a bandana around your neck help, and the "wash gently afterwards" is good too. I still get some irritation even through long sleeves and pants, but I'm not wearing super thick material in the summer heat. But what we're experiencing is worse that what other people (who aren't allergic/sensitive to the plants) experience from the bristles scraping them.

I too am EXTREMELY SENSITIVE to poison ivy and recently broke out in a similar rash after being careless while propagating my all time favorite plant, the philodendron micans. I also suspected that had to be it so I took a fresh cutting and dabbed the sap several times in my arm and didn't wash off for a few hours. Somewhere between 12 & 24 hours later, I started feeling that familiar itch and watched as my test patch gradually spread out the size of a dime and rose up with the little tiny bubble pattern I'm used to seeing with poison ivy rash. THIS SUCKS! I'm in the middle of battling it right now and in my research found this helpful article. I also read another helpful tip that said the sap from these plants can somehow penetrate through standard medical gloves so thicker gardening type gloves should be used when propagating and caution should also be taken when refreshing propagation water. I plant to purchase some thick, SOLID rubber gloves that can easily be thoroughly washed. NOT those gardening gloves that have a breathable section at the back of the hand and wrists! You should also clean the tools you use and the work area. Rubbing alcohol AT LEAST 70% grade is known to be effective for cleaning tools that have come in contact with poison ivy so I plan on implementing that. As well as never shortcutting again by taking rushed cuttings and not doing the basics like laying out a protective mat and immediately washing my hands afterwards. I lazily let my NUMEROUS cuttings drop to the floor (CARPET!) and I know I didn't wash my hands right away like I normally do. A couple hours later I laid on this floor in a tank top and got a mild rash a day later across my upper back and shoulder area as well as my ear lobes which I believe is from handling my earbuds right after propagating my favorite plant. PLEASE MAKE MY PAIN WORTH IT AND LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU... PUH-LEAZE!

Make sure you dry the area well after a shower, and I personally use deodorant there since I have large breasts that do hang down onto my chest without a bra on. Otherwise wear a bra as often as possible, and the powder or cornstarch should help. Good

DS's dog is going thru something very similar and has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection.....probably staph. The first antibiotic upset his stomach horribly but he's doing very well on the current treatment. He's also on a short term dose of Prednisone for the terrible itching and hair loss. Poor thing was just miserable with the itching and his scratching was making things even worse. We fitted him with a loose 'shirt' so that he wouldn't injure himself even more with the scratching.