Don't get caught in the crossfire!
Milkweed and monarchs are engaged in constant warfare. Milkweeds are evolving more and more defenses against hungry caterpillars, while caterpillars are evolving ways to "outwit" the plants. Milkweed sap is one of the plant's weapons.
Weaponized milkweed sap is...
- toxic and irritating to your eyes,
- sticky like glue,
- under pressure--it gushes out when the stem is cut.
When I collect milkweed for feeding caterpillars, I often get the sap on my hands, clothes, car interior, and scissors. It's hard to wash sap off your hands, because it's so sticky.
Sometimes during the process, you rub your eyes. Next morning, your eye is irritated--it feels like you have a speck of dust in your eye. Nope! It's just the leftovers of milkweed sap. If you rinse out your eye with water, the feeling will gradually go away.
For prevention, I'd suggest wearing gloves when you collect milkweed. With gloves on, this will remind you not to rub your eyes. Plus, the gloves will protect your skin if you are washing the milkweed with bleach.
(Not everyone recommends washing with bleach.)