Why do I develop a rash if I touch a tomato vine?

Question

Even the slightest brush of a tomato vine against my arm or hand will cause an itchy rash that resembles a mild sunburn. It seems to disappear after washing with soap and water. Am I allergic?

Answer 1

Cat is correct. The tomato is in the Nightshade family and as such has toxic alkaloids in the plant.  The plant of a tomato is actually poisonous to eat as it contains an alkaloid called tomatine. Other plants in this family are Eggplants. potatoes and peppers. As you may or may not know Nightshade (the actual plant) also known as Belladonna is deadly. All these plants are toxic to some degree as far as the green parts of the plant is concerned but you can safely eat the fruits.  You are probably just allergic to the tomatine chemical in the plant and you may well be allergic to some degree to all the nightshade family.

Answer 2

yeah ur allergic but remember tomatoes have some acidity to them, and when i cut tomoatoes i have to do it fast then wash my hands cause the acid in them is too much for my hands to handle.

Answer 3

Yep, they are in the Nightshade family which includes some mighty poisonous plants.  In fact don't eat tomato vines, leaves or roots!  Also their relative, the potato, should not be eaten if green is evident....just scraping it off may not be enough.....but we do it anyway.  

No, not allergic since the plant is the problem.  But you are sensitive and could, over time find yourself unable to eat tomatoes and relatives.  So be careful, wear protection when working around them and wash immediately afterwards with soap and water.  I too get kinda blotchy if the vines flop all over me.  I keep a bar of soap in my garden tool box and use the hose to suds up.  No big deal.  

Answer 4

you may be slighlty allergic to the stems and leaves of tomato plants. it must have to do with the oils in it. try to avoid touching it with bare hands

Answer 5

Cat is on the money and so is fluff.

Answer 6

It means you're sensitive to Nightshades.  Tomato is in that family.