Do people become resistant to stinging nettles?

Asked Mar 20 '18 at 10:00

Active Mar 20 '18 at 10:32

Viewed 851 times

The WikiHow page How to Touch Nettles Without Stinging Yourself claims:

Although experienced nettle harvesters often go bare-handed, this isn't just because they know how to avoid stings. Many of them have become resistant to the stings over years of exposure, while others enjoy the sensation.

This is one of my childhood mysteries which I was never able to fully explain - my neighbour could pick stinging nettles without apparent pain.

Does common contact with stinging nettles confer a resistance to the sting, and thus avoid pain?

edited Mar 20 '18 at 10:32

Oddthinking

140,378
46
548
638

asked Mar 20 '18 at 10:00

Thomas

I think an apologist for Jane Goodall once made a similar claim, but I can't find it. – Andrew Grimm Mar 20 '18 at 10:12
2

@AndrewGrimm What do you mean by "an apologist for" in this context? – gerrit Mar 20 '18 at 14:38
@gerrit someone who defended her use of stinging nettles on poachers. – Andrew Grimm Mar 20 '18 at 20:01
1

@AndrewGrimm Do you mean Dian Fossey and not Jane Goodall? – Jack Aidley Mar 21 '18 at 14:05
2

I can tell you from personal experience that this is true, at least on a temporary basis, but anecdote is not citable evidence! – Jack Aidley Mar 21 '18 at 14:06
@JackAidley Sorry, yes I did! – Andrew Grimm Mar 21 '18 at 21:28

Do people become resistant to stinging nettles?

0 Answers0