Long time no see...

[bluemoon]

Glad to hear you're much better now Muckdiva.

[TonyF]

Hiya Muckdiva

I can only sympathise with you. Although I'm asthmatic my asthma is caused by my chemo medication, not an ellegy so that makes gardening ok. BUT, since I was first diagnosed many years ago, I've suffered from deep seated pruritis all over my body, which is one of the main pre-diagnosis symptoms of what I have - not just scratching but wanting to stab yourself in the various places to stop (I know of people who have killed themselves because the itching is so bad) it but again, not caused by gardening.

My gardening problem is that I come up in huge blisters - had all the tests etc for allergies, wear gloves, keep my arms covered - but they come up all the same. Winter is better because I'm not out in the garden so much but they've started already - huge (up to a half inch long - water blisters that then fill with blood, all over my arms and back of my hands up to my elbows and boy, do they burn. Docs have given up, dermatologist hasn't got any idea. And the real problem is that regardless of whether I cover them or let them dry, burst them - whatever - I'm now covered in the dark red scars when they go. And it only effects my forearms and hands, never my legs but the arms are the main site for the pruritis.

Specialist suggested I gave up gardening - two chances there then!

[Digger-07]

Developed severe asthma last year and spent 3 weeks in high dependancy. No one is sure what caused it at my ripe *** age but it's not going to stop me doing what I enjoy (yet).

[Hans Mum]

nice to see you both back here hope things improve for you both

[muckdiva]

My gardening problem is that I come up in huge blisters - had all the tests etc for allergies, wear gloves, keep my arms covered - but they come up all the same. Winter is better because I'm not out in the garden so much but they've started already - huge (up to a half inch long - water blisters that then fill with blood, all over my arms and back of my hands up to my elbows and boy, do they burn. Docs have given up, dermatologist hasn't got any idea. And the real problem is that regardless of whether I cover them or let them dry, burst them - whatever - I'm now covered in the dark red scars when they go. And it only effects my forearms and hands, never my legs but the arms are the main site for the pruritis.

Specialist suggested I gave up gardening - two chances there then!

Hi Tony, that puts my flare up in some perspective. I expect you'd agree that one of the worst things is not being sure of the exact cause - you can spend so much time (and money) searching for possibilities. Like you, I wouldn't consider giving up the garden. After all, a lot of skin conditions are made worse by stress, and what better stress buster than time spent on the plot.