I'll never trust Monty Don again

Following Monty Don's advice this week, I have been removing the immature figs from my trees.

I now have burns and blisters up my arms and the itch like hell, now I find that the latex sap is dangerous. I had to shave my arms to get it off, dosed up with anti histamine and liberally applied AH creme, has helped but still red and blistered.