Physical allergy to cannabis

[lawlrus]

I've posted about this before in the past years back and didn't ever really get any definitive answers or even anybody who had the same issues as me.

I have what appears to be a physical allergy to cannabis. I break out in pretty severe hives even when touching a plant in veg. Living plants tend to cause the worst issues, but often even the dried flowers themselves will cause me to have a sneezing fit when handling them, minus the hives. I have noticed this issue for years but it has seemingly become more of a problem as the years go by, although I can't necessarily quantify that in any meaningful way.

I thought I had the issues narrowed down specifically to plants with strong Afghan influences, but after ten years I've finally just come to terms with the fact that every plant bothers me, and it gets worse the farther they get into flowering. I know that the plant uses trichomes as a natural defense against predators and I'm sure that this is a large part of why it affects me in the way that it does.

I can take benadryl and have less of an issue, but that makes me sleepy. I can take Claritin and that doesn't make me sleepy but also doesn't make a difference at all in terms of the sneezing fits, tight throat, and hives. Working with plants is rough...harvest time is a god damned ordeal.

Pretty much my only option to work with my plants is long sleeves, gloves, and taking a lot of care not to let the plants touch me in the face or neck area as that's where I get the hives the worst. When I harvest, I look like Walter White working in the mega lab with all the shit I have covering my face and body.


Can somebody please tell me I'm not going crazy and let me know if this is something y'all have experienced as well?

 

[GranolaCornhola]

I've had the same problem. It's not just you.

 

[exploziv]

Yeah, it happens to some after long term cannabis exposure. I will get redness if i touch leavs or buds on the arms, sometimes small red hives as well. I have no simptoms when smoking it, tho. Or, at least, nothing noticeable. Oh, and I sneeze from pollen.
I just avoid touching plants too often, especially at harvest time/outdoor. I figured it could get worst if I continue. And I use air filtration masks over my nose and mouth if I got males in flower with open pollen bags.

 

[GranolaCornhola]

When going into my drying room I've had my eyes turn red and water, my nose runs, have huge sneezing fits. With some plants I've touched my hands and forearms get hives, my face swells etc. Kinda like I rolled in poison ivy. For me, for some odd reason its just the sativas that kill me.

 

[zeet]

I had a good friend in mendo (RIP sven) that come harvest time every year he'd have to go the the clinic to get steroids, antihistamines and whatnot because his allergies would absolutely shut him down. Couldn't breathe, eye's red and puffed closed, and got a rash etc.. Different strains hit him differently.
Funny thing is he called it his kryptonite..

 

[lawlrus]

Glad to hear it's not just me. Everybody I mention it to looks at me like I'm crazy.

Have you guys noticed these issues with dried flowers too?

 

[stoned-trout]

I can roll in piles of weed naked....yeehaw ... I don't of course cause I would get all sticky...and some of my hair might stick...had a friend that was allergic tooo it also..he had 2 wear 2 gloves and long sleeves ...

 

[t99]

Don't try this
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=298413

 

[dddaver]

Yeah man, DUDE! My eyes turn red every-time inhale the smoke from it. ...Sorry, couldn't resist the dumb joke.

But seriously, can you guys that are allergic, smoke?

 

[lawlrus]

Yeah man, DUDE! My eyes turn red every-time inhale the smoke from it. ...Sorry, couldn't resist the dumb joke.

But seriously, can you guys that are allergic, smoke?

I can smoke it but there are certain strains that really fuck me up in terms of sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and the like when I am in the process of breaking them down and then smoking them. Like I said, I thought it was the more indica/afghanica varietals that did it, but after going through a ton more strains to test the theory that doesn't hold water, it's totally a crapshoot.

For example, the C99 BX1 I ran last year was absolutely incredible in every way but I couldn't even open a jar without losing my mind sneezing and coughing. That one in particular was super caked up and I definitely noticed the same issue with the Strawberry Cough x The White I ran at the same time, and that one was probably the most triched-out strain I've ever seen or grown. Other super frosty strains don't give me the same issue, so maybe it's the particular type of trichs? Some are greasy, some are sticky as hell, some are kinda dry feeling...the greasy ones seem to give me the biggest issues.

It's really weird all the way around.

 

[Andyo]

no reaction here

no reaction here

Im fine no effects but ive had a few trimmers 1 slightly allergic and one very allergic but she wanted the $$$
Started anti histamine 2 days prior and during trimming,still had to cover hands and arms, but no eye swelling.A

 

[Green Squall]

You must have done some real bad shit in your past life for god to have made you allergic to cannabis! haha

Kidding aside, just ask you doctor. Weed ain't taboo anymore and this sounds like a legit medical concern.

 

[shithawk420]

I don't know if it pertains to this but, I have a friend who swears he gets sick to his stomach if he smells burning cannabis.I think its all in his head but who knows

 

[rykus]

I think it's like cedar and people are more sensitive, but prolonged exposure seems to make it worse, we had a guy that trimmed in a suit with gloves and a respirator,lol still puffed fine....

 

[St. Phatty]

I used to get a reaction like mild Stinging Nettles when I first started growing indoors.

Red itchy rashes where I touched the plants.

For a few years.

 

[chidoctor]

I had a good friend in mendo (RIP sven) that come harvest time every year he'd have to go the the clinic to get steroids, antihistamines and whatnot because his allergies would absolutely shut him down. Couldn't breathe, eye's red and puffed closed, and got a rash etc.. Different strains hit him differently.
Funny thing is he called it his kryptonite..

funny how fallen friends still stay with us, puff puff pass sven

 

[Waxman]

Never heard of this anything is possible though.

 

[Waxman]

I just watched a show about these people who are pretty much allergic to everything they have to survive by drinking special nutrient formula.

 

[razzcazz4200]

I have this problem big time. Have to wear long sleeves in the field. Still get hives through long sleeve/neck/ face area. Large quantities of flower will instantly induce heavy uncontrollable sneezing/wheezing. Ridiculous amounts of snot. That will work its way down into my lungs and start some bronchitis that lingers for a month. Try taking some Eucalyptus pills from a health store, youll probably have better luck finding them online. its one of the only things that helps me. Ive also tried Chaga mushrooms but im not 100% sold on them yet. Theyre expensive. Ive had asthma attacks from the ground flowers. its never happened with anything else. Ive never been diagnosed with normal asthma. The first time i went to grind flowers i almost died. I had to lay on the floor outside for an hour focusing on breathing and relaxing. shit was crazy. If you have to go through all this and still work with the herb you are one of the chosen. Bless.

 

[wolfhoundaddy]

bee pollen

bee pollen

I eat bee pollen that is grown locally. It helps with my general symptoms I get early in the spring every year. It would 'bee' nice to be able to have a bee colony in house using our herb to pollenate, and use it for self medication.