By Janpled
Hertfordshire,
United Kingdom 
Gardeners Beware!
I pruned back very hard the ivy that was taking over my apple and plum tree. This meant I was up in amongst the ivy pulling it down having already cut the base. I was wearing jeans and a long sleeved shirt with a boiler suit on top plus gardening gloves. I did a very good job but the next day my hands, arms and legs started to blister and for days have been suffering severely from a very strong allergic reaction which only ice packs seem to relieve. Whilst I knew poison ivy found in the States was horrid little did I realise our own ivy can have nasty consequences to sensitive skin.
31 Jul, 2015
Answers
Never heard of this before - thank you for the warning. I hope the irritation subsides soon - have you asked the pharmacy for advice?
31 Jul, 2015
New one on me too! Cleared acres of ivy over the years with no problems. Rarely wear gloves either.
31 Jul, 2015
I have cleared ivy in the past but never in such quantities. The pharmacist advised piriton but this has proved to be inadequate to relieve the pain. My hands look like they have been scalded with boiling water!
31 Jul, 2015
Gosh that does sound nasty, E45 cream is very good Janpled and might help relieve it for you, I'm pleased you have mentioned this as a warning, it might make people realise that just because they are lucky and have never been affected by something in the garden does not always mean its safe for everyone...
31 Jul, 2015
I'm sorry you had to endure such a painful and horrid lesson. A lot of helpful comments on here though.
1 Aug, 2015
I hope you can get some relief from it soon.
It's wise to be careful when handling plants, especially if you have to cut big ones, or handle large quantities of them.
I remember having a similar reaction from Heathers after I uprooted some big ones from my previous garden.
I've heard of people having a bad reaction to Pelargoniums too - blisters on their hands etc.
1 Aug, 2015
Hedera is listed as a skin irritant and poisonous by the RHS - it doesn't bother my skin, but, as I've got older, cutting it back,particularly with a hedgetrimmer, means I'll be coughing and wheezing within five minutes, so I have to wear a mask and googles - bit difficult if you need to wear glasses, which I do, they keep steaming up so you can't see what you're doing. Even with a mask, I still get some irritation in the throat, it's like having a tiny bit of dust stuck in there, causing you to cough uncontrollably... horrible.
1 Aug, 2015
My daughter's f-i-l is very sensitive to ivy and never handles it. So far, I've had no ill effects when clearing it. That sounds very nasty, Janpled.
1 Aug, 2015
Just don't drink alcohol with Piriton - like an instant sleeping pill!
Boots bite and sting relief cream might help with the pain - worth a try anyway.
1 Aug, 2015
Ask your local pharmacy for Allacan 10mg film coated tablets (Cetrizine hydrochloride), stronger than Piriton, you only need to take 1 pill a day and you can still have a glass of wine in the evening (or whatever your favourite tipple is!).
1 Aug, 2015
That sounds like a useful tip, Moongrower!
1 Aug, 2015
I suggest the apple martini.
1 Aug, 2015
Bulba needed recently Melchisedec
1 Aug, 2015
Sorry to hear that, Mg.
3 Aug, 2015
It was for a wasp sting, he reacts badly to them - unfortunately.
3 Aug, 2015
They can be very nasty, especially if they cause a bad reaction.
3 Aug, 2015
You could have smeared the irritating oils on yourself when you removed your clothing. If they are in a laundry basket, throw everything out. If you put protective clothing on your at greatest risk upon improper removal and handling of it. Thank you for mentioning this.
31 Jul, 2015