Have I accidentally poisoned myself?

[likelysuspect]

I put some of that plant food in a watering can earlier, its blue granules and it gets all over your hands no matter how careful I am about the packet

It stains your hands blue.

I rinsed them off first in cold water then used soap to wash them, again in cold water

Ive just eaten something that you eat with your hands, my hands are still blue and I dont know if Im imagining it but I think my tongue is fizzing/tingling at the end

Is this likely?

Ive got a feeling I used gloves last year to avoid ths problem

I dont do a lot of gardening so couldnt remember that bit until just now!

Can you name the plant food and post picture of the contents label? (or ask AI to check out what the chemicals are)

It tells me this

Miracle-Gro All-Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food (blue granules/powder) is a synthetic, fast-acting fertilizer containing a high-nutrient NPK blend of 24-8-16 (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and essential micronutrients. It is designed to be dissolved in water, providing immediate nutrition to plants to promote lush leaves, strong roots, and more flowers

Theres more

Key Ingredient Breakdown

• Primary Nutrients (NPK): 24% Nitrogen (N) for foliage, 8% Phosphorus (P) for roots, 16% Potassium (K) for overall health.
• Micronutrients (Trace Elements): Boron (B), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe - 0.19% chelated by EDTA), Manganese (Mn - 0.05% chelated by EDTA), Molybdenum (Mo), and Zinc (Zn).
• Blue Colorant: Derived from copper sulfate.
• Other Ingredients: Urea, Urea Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, and Potassium Chloride

Interestingly I do have very low copper levels and just bought some copper supplements yesterday!!!

This must have been a subconscious act!!!

AI has been more useful than anticipated, thanks, it also tells me this

Ingesting a trace amount of Miracle-Gro All Purpose Soluble Plant Food residue from your fingers after washing is unlikely to cause significant harm. While the granules themselves are concentrated chemicals, the amount remaining as a faint blue stain on your skin consists mostly of food-grade dye and minute amounts of minerals.

Why It Is Likely Safe

• Minimal Exposure: Small amounts of fertilizer are generally considered only mildly poisonous. Since you washed your hands, any remaining residue is extremely diluted.
• Blue Stain: The blue colour is a water-soluble dye designed to mark the solution. Staining on the skin is common and often takes a few days or multiple washes to fade completely, even after the active chemicals have been rinsed away.
• Ingredients: The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the formula are essential nutrients also found naturally in food, though in much lower concentrations.

What to Watch For
While serious issues are not expected from trace residue, you should monitor for the following mild symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation:

• Temporary nausea.
• Mild stomach upset or diarrhea.
• Irritation of the mouth or throat.

Immediate Next Steps

1. Rinse Again: If you are concerned, wash your hands one more time with soap and warm water to ensure no loose particles remain.
2. Hydrate: Drink a glass of water to help dilute any trace amounts that may have been swallowed.
3. Seek Advice if Needed: If you develop persistent vomiting, dizziness, or severe stomach pain, contact a medical professional or a poison control centre.

For UK Residents: You can call NHS 111 for non-emergency medical advice.
For US Residents: You can reach the National Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222

Have you checked whether the information generated by AI is correct?

I just checked it out on co -pilot and apparently the chemicals are in v small amounts that can't cause harm to humans and it also says that the tingling comes from the fertiliser salts of potassium phosphate and chloride which can cause slight irritation, but they aren't poisonous. ' Miracle‑Gro All‑Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food is not considered highly toxic, and brief skin contact or accidentally getting a trace amount in your mouth is extremely unlikely to cause poisoning.'
I hope that puts your mind at rest!

That Miracle-Gro is good stuff (based on their adverts) so you may find that your feet start protrubing from the bottom of the bed in a few days...

does it say "kid or pet friendly"? if so, you're prob ok

No. I immediately felt a sense of relief so didnt question it!! lol

Only bit id be concerned about is the blue dye.
If it really is copper sulphate, its not great. But equally, if youve washed your hands throughly, its unlikely to transfer.

Do the blue come off if you rub a load of moisturizer in, then wash that off off with soap? Ie some oil based cleaning.

I should think if you washed your hands it has all come off, apart from the colouring which has just dyed your hands but wont transfer to your food so I think you will be fine.