On 29/05/2012 15:35, wrote:
In ,
wrote:

I will only add that the 'sinister' bit is that it's quite toxic. That
milky sap or 'latex' is a severe skin irritant, especially in strong
sunlight. It is wise to wear gloves when handling it.

Not 'severe' - it's nothing extreme in that respect.

In *some* people euphorbia causes a temporary very itchy rash of large
fluid filled blisters which eventually burst; followed by longterm
photosensitivity on the same site. ie, whenever the healed skin is exposed
to sun, the blister reaction recurs all over again (without any
euphorbia contact).. IME this recurrent photosensitivity can last a year
or more, and causes skin darkening /discolouring that lasts even longer.

And similar remarks are true of a massive number of other things

Euphorbias are for the most part pretty unforgiving. Not in the poison
ivy class but still not something whose sap you really want on your
skin. As ever there are exceptions as far as can be determined
Poinsettia is relatively benign and Jatropha is a clear sapped nasty.

that are treated very casually, not excluding many of the washing
powders on the market. There's no point is being paranoid about
one or two risks and ignoring far more, very comparable, ones.

Some of the succulent euphorbia saps are extremely nasty and the plants
have to be treated with respect or they will injure you. Most collectors
also grow the alleged antidote Aoenium Lindleyii it is unclear how or if
it works. I hope never to need to find out.

http://www.euphorbia.de/giftig_e.htm

The temperate ones are only seriously nasty if it gets in your eyes or
other delicate areas but unless you are already sensitised unlikely to
cause more than a blister or two. Still worth getting it off your skin
promptly or not getting it on in the first place.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown