Why does butternut squash irritate the skin

I suspect the differences arose in just how much exposure the commenters had to the sap just under the skin the thin yellowish layer and whether it was cooked prior to peeling.

It probably evolved, as others suggested, as a defense to damage to the skin. There would be no point for it to be in the flesh of the squash. Thanks for sharing and providing me with a feasible explanation. I used half a butternut and stored the rest unpeeled with the cut side in contact with a saucer to exclude air and prolong shelf life.

However, a few days later I had endless trouble trying to pry the butternut off the saucer — talk about superglue! Fortunately no adverse effects on my hands. I got a massive rash all over my lower arm from the elbow all the way down to my wrists while getting rid of a butternut plant in my backyard just earlier today.

It itched like heck and I was wondering if I was allergic to certain plants because this is not the first time that this happens to me, and not only with this specific plant but also with some weeds. Neither does eating it.

Thanks for this article! I washed my hands off pretty frequently while chopping in half and scooping seeds to bake in the oven. I scrubbed them and let them dry, and it looked like acid had peeled the very topmost layer of skin off. This solves the mystery and, while not painful, I will avoid touching the flesh in the future! Thank you for this article! After you said it was a substance the plant puts out to protect it self I decided to see if hand sanitizer would remove the substance and it.

Now I can move my thumb and the swelling is going down. Thank you. Name: required Email: required Website: optional Comment: Subscribe to comments Email field must be filled in. Backyard Gardening Blog. Entries Comments. Garden hose reel - recommendations. Does anyone know any tips to unclog Need to know about top surgery!

As with most allergic reactions, the symptoms vary. In the most severe cases, where blistering of the skin occurs, scarring or some skin discoloration could linger after the reaction has passed.

The other good news is that, unlike a food allergy, squash hands only affects the skin. If your symptoms are mild, the reaction will likely clear up its own. So, what is this butternut squash skin reaction all about? What are the symptoms of butternut squash dermatitis? But the flavor of salt can differ slightly based on the types and amounts of minerals that attach to the salt crystals.

The texture and size of the crystals are determined by how the sodium chloride is processed. Kosher salt is designed to have large, irregularly shaped crystals, which make the Jewish practice of koshering applying salt to draw blood and juices out of just-butchered meats more effective.

Kosher salt manufacturing is done under rabbinical supervision. We often use kosher salt to season meat because it has large crystals, which make it easier to sprinkle evenly.