A few weeks ago after peeling and slicing a butternut squash, the skin of my hands became tight and red, and started peeling a little. It went away within 24 hours and I didn't think about it again, until I happened to read the comments on a recipe for roasted butternut squash pasta from several years ago. Many readers mentioned experiencing the same symptoms after cutting up butternut squash, which led me to some answers about this strange condition, including the best way to manage it.
A 1994 article in the journal Contact Dermatitis describes a woman with no history of hand dermatitis who, a few minutes after cutting up a butternut squash, experienced itching, blistering hands that cleared up within a day with the help of a topical eczema treatment cream. Six weeks later, she tried cutting up a squash again, and the blistering followed almost immediately.
Although they aren't able to identify which compound in the squash triggers the reaction, the authors conclude that some people experience a type of allergic contact dermatitis to the squash species Cucurbita moschata, which includes butternut squash, Kentucky field pumpkin, and calabaza pumpkin. Since these types of squash typically have a thick skin, those who pick and handle them on the way to the kitchen aren't exposed to the allergy-causing compound. It's only once you peel and cut up the squash that it can potentially trigger a reaction.
The best way to avoid a reaction if you know you have a sensitivity to C. moschata is to wear gloves while cutting the squash. If it's too late and you're already experiencing red, itchy, peeling hands, a topical anti-itch cream may help, but rest assured that the symptoms will probably disappear within a day. (If they persist, or if the symptoms are extreme, consult a doctor.)
Have you ever experienced an allergic reaction to butternut squash?
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Fascinating! I am fine with butternut squash but NOT with coleus! It doesn't bother my hands but if I touch it and then touch my face yikes!
I am really curious why people peel and chop squash? I guess it must be for recipes where the squash is cooked tender crisp??
I understand that mangoes can cause the same type of problem, as can Nagaimo, which is a starchy root used more in asian cooking (like Okonomiyaki for example), just to name a couple other odd ones
I get this, too! Glad I'm not the only one. ;) I also get it to a lesser degree with other squashes/gourds, so be careful!
Very timely post -- Last night I chopped butternut squash and had this reaction! The skin on my fingers felt stiff and began peeling, but the sensation went away over night. Very bizarre feeling, but glad to know I'm not the only one!
I get this with instantly pumpkins, but not butternut squash.
I just recently discovered this phenomenon, when we planted a butternut plant in our garden this year. Every time I plucked one of those tasty buggers I paid for in with red, itch skin...
This happens to me every time! Breaking down just one squash usually doesn't harm me luckily. When I carved pumpkins last week, my arms were so irritated! Good to know what helps!
Oooh oooh, now that explains a lot. I got this while chopping up some Tindori (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinia_grandis) which I understand is the same family as the squash.
It was painless, just a bit distressing to see the skin peeling off on my palms.. but didn't last more than a day.
yes! I get this too. In order to minimize handling the squash, I cut the peel away instead of using a veggie peeler on it. a bit more flesh is wasted, but my hands are spared.
We diagnosed my husband with this (thanks, internet!) last fall. But the soup was delicious, so it was all worth it. ;)
@blpeders - I was going to say the same thing about mangoes. I've had the same itchy problem (in the same week!) with a butternut squash and a mango... ugh.
Yep, I got this a couple of weeks ago when, prompted by a Kitchn post, I decided to peel and cut a butternut squash for the first time! Previously I'd always used package of pre-cut squash, and never had any issue with the very minimal contact that required. I knew to possibly expect it since the post had mentioned it. But I was still a little surprised since I've never been prone to allergic reactions My reaction was really very mild, went away within an hour or two after washing my hands (and not really bothersome while it was there, just looked weird).
This might explain my peeling hands after a soup. Since I'm already on several types and forms of antihistamines(mold, cedar and ragweed seasons here), my hands never itched, just peeled.
Be aware with allergic reactions that exposure is cumulative for reactions. Now that I know what this is, I'll be wearing gloves for my next batches of squash soup.
This happens to me, too, which is why I no longer make butternut squash soup, much to my husband's chagrin. The last time I ate it after I personally made it, my face and scalp itched for days, as well, but that might have been psychosomatic. It does not happen when I carve pumpkins, however.
Regarding the above comments about mangoes, it's probably not similar. Mangoes contain urushiol, which is the same itchy chemical in poison ivy/sumac/oak/etc. Cashews and pistachios have it, too.
I thought it was just me! I've also had this problem -- my fingertips get really dry and wrinkly. It eventually goes away on it's own, but I've always found it really strange.
I get it too, or a very mild version - the skin on my hands gets tight and red after handling butternuts. I peel them using a regular vegetable peeler, then quickly chop and put in the oven, then wash my hands - I don't handle them much. It usually goes away in a couple of hours or I would be breaking out the gloves for sure!
Hmm, I was breaking down 2 butternut squashes for a dinner party and while they didn't get red, the skin on my hands just felt really - tight? it was strange but it was gone by the next morning, maybe I'll break out gloves the next time!
This just happened to me last night. I just scrub my hands really hard with a wet thin face cloth. I think it scrubbed off whatever was causing the tight dry skin. It's a good scrub in any case. I think I scrubbed off the top few layers of dead skin on my hands.
I also get a mild version of this - the dry, bizarre-ly 'tight' feeling that others have mentioned. I'm grateful it's no worse than that, but I still use latex gloves when I remember. Otherwise it seems like a full 24 hours before my hands have recovered.
I get this reaction too. Mostly the skin on my hands just feels dry and tight. I've also noticed a residue on my knife and cutting board after cutting squash that lingers even after repeated washing and scrubbing. Has anyone else experienced this? Any tricks for getting rid of the residue?
Yes! I'm so happy to see this. I thought I was going crazy. I don't get the peeling, but I do get the tight, itchy red skin on my hands. I've started wrapping a paper towel around the parts that I've peeled as a barrier between my hand and the squash, but I suppose wearing gloves would be easier.
I kind of love when things like this happen. Like others here, I had this same problem with a batch of ripe mangoes, but after researching it on the internet, now I just get to feel like a smarter person for knowing about mango-related contact dermatitis.