I do... I have trouble around 6 in the evening on...

I did buy some Avon Skin so soft, which works pretty well to keep mosquitos off - and sometimes even the sun can make my arms tingle during the day, so I can't win..... :0)

Carrie

Funny, I have the same problem but didn't realize it was the black-eyed Susans. I feel like my skin is all prickly and itchy after I've been out there for a while. I take a shower and feel better but it does make it difficult to go out there.

Don't want to give up gardening, though. I was in a bit of an August slump and then yesterday my DH suddenly moved a bunch of large rocks for me. This created a new planting area and I'm so excited I ran outside this morning in my nightgown to make sure it was still there and I wasn't dreaming :-)

Annie you make me chuckle, I've run out in my PJ's in the morning many times, shovel in one hand plant in the other.

I've found Aloe Vera lotion is great for itchy skin.

Annette

I wash with soap and water when plant contact makes my skin begin to tingle or itch. Then I dry the area and splash on a healthy dose of rubbing alcohol, allowing it to air dry. The alcohol takes the itch away and usually prevents rashes from forming.

Lorna

Aahh - here I am with the Irish Skin!!!! Too pale for sunshine, attracting all of the biting devils.... I don't use anything with perfume, as a rule. ( I have some really nice, pricey perfume for those times).

I tend to marinate myself in Off, Deep Woods - the non -aerosol version. I still get bit by Black Flies, Horse/Deer Flies and mossies who find the ONE spot that you have not misted. There is nothing that I know that will deter the black flies- I will stay inside next spring when they are gone, as the garden is dug; deer/horse flies - let me know if you have a charm!!! Nasty things - very hard to kill - stunned but fast enough. Take chunks out of your hide....

Now, for the bites, I have found the charm - Witch hazel!!! Odourless, colourless, but not tasteless. It apparrently tastes like crap, as it is used to discourage teen girls from chewing their cuticals....Flow it onto the bites - let it dry - it will also help with the itching of poison ivy. I got this recommend from a colleague whose sister rides mountain bike competitively - this is what saves her!!!

It is brilliant - Nancy.

My skin isn't very sensitive, and im not one to complain about minor ailments in general....
BUT a few weeks ago I was in agony. My hops vine fell off of a tall trellis and I had to get on a chair and cut part of it down. Hops vines are sting when they cut you! I was covered in painful little scratches from it that lasted an hour or so. And getting the scratches wet just made it worse. Make sure to wear gloves and long sleves when working with it.
And for some reason, the leaves of Calendula bothers me too.
CMK

I get a rash that forms little blisters, that then weep, until they itch again and then the process recycles. And this is just from contact with some perenials...blah! I have the same reaction from strawberry plants. I'm going to try both the rubbing alcohol and witch hazel. Thanks for the suggestions.

cmk, I was going to put in hops and decided against for just the reason you ran into. I thought with my sensitivities I'd be in major trouble. And I'm not a redhead or blonde, although my grandfather was a redhead so maybe I just inherited the sensitive skin from him. Ok, I'm done griping. ;o
wig

Yeah, dont get hops if your especially sensitive. I had another problem with it too. I left the dry cones on over the winter for some interest. Then come spring, I started pulling the dead down. It made me cough like crazy and have a sore throat.
You'd think with these annoyances Id just get rid of the Hops. Not a chance! Its one of my favorite vines!
Sigh, what we won't suffer thru for our plants...
CMK