Canna and Banana Allergies

Q: I read your post about people reacting to canna lilies. It sure seems similar to what I experienced after pruning my canna lilies. Any time I’m working with them, I get blisters and bumps on my arms/hands. I am allergic to bananas, but I’m unsure of a connection between cannas and bananas. I want to be better educated on cannas, so I can safely interact with them. I know of the banana-latex allergy connection, as I’m violently allergic to latex and react to any latex adhesive or medical items made of latex. 

A: Someone slipping on a banana peel is sometimes funny but an allergic reaction to bananas is not a laughing matter. Your banana allergy is not common but is linked to cannas because they, as well as ginger and bird-of-paradise, all belong to Order Zingiberales. It is usually the juice of the plant that causes the reaction. This leads us to another fact: People who are allergic to bananas are usually also allergic to latex products derived from the rubber tree, which is totally unrelated to the previously mentioned plants. Bottom line: Canna and banana allergies are not unheard of. When working with these plants, wear non-latex gloves and a plastic raincoat. As you know, washing thoroughly with soap and water shortly after working with cannas is important.