Narcissus and Daffodil

18 Harmful effects due to Narcissus
and its constituents
Celia G. Julian and Peter W. Bowers
INTRODUCTION
The genus Narcissus has been grown commercially in the far south-west of England
for more than a hundred years. The warm climate and small sheltered fields
(particularly on the Isles of Scilly) have helped this industry, for which significant
expansion appears likely in the next few years. Many hundreds of seasonal workers
are employed, the larger labour force being needed for 6–8 weeks in the spring
when the flowers are picked, bunched and packed for distribution. A smaller
number of seasonal workers are employed in summer for lifting and cleaning the
bulbs for re-planting or sale. Thus, any adverse effects from contact with narcissus
(daffodil) can influence a potentially large number of workers and have a significant
sequel.
At present, more than 1180 ha are planted with narcissus in south-west England,
which includes a significant expansion within the last two years. This provides a
considerable revenue for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, areas which otherwise
rely on farming, fishing and tourism and which have a high rate of unemployment.
Cornwall accounts for about 35% of the bulb acreage in the UK, other significant
areas being in Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Scotland.
EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH HANDLING NARCISSUS CROPS
Handling flowers
‘Daffodil itch’ or ‘lily rash’ associated with picking narcissus is well recognised and
was first described by Walsh in 1910 in relation to flower pickers on the Isles of
Scilly. The name ‘lily rash’ arose as narcissus were originally thought of as lilies,
although they are now placed in the Amaryllidaceae because they have an inferior
ovary. An eczematous rash develops from direct contact between the skin of the
picker and sap from the flower stem. Granulomatous sores may develop at any
point of direct trauma and paronychia can occur. These changes may be quite
disabling, but as the season is short and the rash therefore self-limiting, the pickers
rarely present to a doctor. Hands and wrists are the most commonly affected
areas, but the rash may also appear beneath the chin, on the forearms, in the axillae
and on the genitalia.
The way in which the flowers are picked and collected accounts for the distribution
of the rash. Picking takes place when the flowers are still in bud. The picker