What Causes Swollen Burning Hands After Working With Plants?

Posted on Mon, 18 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 18 May 2015 Answered on

Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Can hands burn and swell after working with plants?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes contact dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

If you work on plants and have swelling and burn that means the pollen or the substances released by such plant is causing a reaction to the skin. This is called Contact dermatitis and it is a hypersensitivity reaction (early onset type).

You should not go back to work on that plant again. For now you can take over the counter anti allergic like Claritin (loratidine) and if you have pain may be some Ibuprofen as well. Keep the ice cubes over the swelling that helps immediate pain relief and easing.

If the problems increase further to other parts of the body/breathless you should knock the door of the ER.

Hope this helsp

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (18 minutes later)

Its actually my daughter. Her whole hands are slighty swollen. Tight rings, etc... Would benadryl cream help?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
nsaids like brufen help

Detailed Answer:
Yeah you can give brufen and benadryl over the counters 15 min apart. They should help her.

If you are clear kindly close our discussion here. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj