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.

Um. Never mind. If I could delete this, I would. I just found the email option I needed to check off in my profile.

If you are talking about email spam I don't get any. I used an address that was unique with letters and numbers which made to no sense at all to anyone or any software they use..... but me. Some people use their name or parts of it with numbers and there is software out there than get your email from that and forwards. Anyone I give my email addy to is told "don't send me forwards". I also tell every one who puts me on an email list to use BBC so the address is not exposed. The few I did get I blocked on my servers email site. The companies that sent me info that I didn't want I unsubscribed and I was told that just lets them know you have a working email. All the companies like that have stopped sending the emails. Always have at least 2 email addresses and use one for family and friends and one for the net. I once got an email with over 50 email addresses exposed. I did the "reply to all" and told them to look at all of their exposed email addresses. I also explained about BBC. One person emailed me about it and asked what BBC is. another guy emailed me and said "where did you get me email address". I told he it was exposed in the list of addresses at the top of his message. He apologized and thanked me for letting him know. That had to have been bouncing around the net months or years.

I had it for at least a couple days, couldn't therefore respond to any posts the whole time.