By Gogetterpeg
United States 
A friend of mine gave me a big "Lady of the night", I believe you call it "Cestrum Nocturnum" I have had it about a month and I have never touched it. Yesterday I wanted to take a picture to show her how it was growing and I picked it up in my arms to set it in another location, took the pictures, left to go to church and about an hour I broke out in hives and was itching terribly. I don't want any part of HELL if it is hotter, and I have reason to believe it is. I took some allergy meds, got in the shower with a box of baking soda and washed in cool water. got out and rubbed an anti itch lotion all over my body. There wasn't a place that wasn't red. The lotion cooled my burning and itching, along with the allergy meds, I was alright in a couple of hours. Is there anything that you would know of that could be in this plant to cause the hives. By the way, I hadn't eaten anything different than I always been eating.
Peggy
8 Sep, 2015
Answers
Peg, sorry to hear that you have joined a painful minority! :(
Most of the references that I have seen refer to respiratory allergies from pollen and/or scent, but I certainly wouldn't rule out a contact allergy. There is a faint possibility that you are actually allergic to something that it was sprayed with, rather than the plant itself. If so, Loosestrife's solution still applies, but you may still be able to appreciate another individual of the species--AFTER cautious application of one finger!
It doesn't help your problem, but people should know that I have sold and handled the plant many times over the last 30 years, and you are the fist one to report this problem in my hearing.
8 Sep, 2015
Listed as possibly causing contact allergy, particularly after a previous exposure, and more likely in sensitive people if you were in sunlight when the contact occurred - see link below for information
http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/poison.html
8 Sep, 2015
It's a member of the Solanaceae family - along with potatoes, tomatoes and night shades.
You will probably find that you are now sensitive the the leaves and stems of tomatoes.
8 Sep, 2015
And on that cheerful note...
8 Sep, 2015
Yep Stera - it is cheerful! I can't touch the green parts of a tomato plant without coming out in a rash - I love tomatoes off the vine but have to wear gloves to remove them. That's just one reason why I don't grow toms (quite apart from the feast or famine element of growing-your-own)
8 Sep, 2015
I agree with Steragram, though. Aarrgghh!!
8 Sep, 2015
You are allergic to this plant. Whatever the allergen is, you have developed contact dermatitis. Have your friend or someone else come over and remove it from your home after they have covered it in a plastic garbage bag. The clothes that you wore when you touched the plant must be washed too. Unfortunately, for you, this is the plant from hell.
8 Sep, 2015