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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

I must have been stung by nettles 5,000 times as a child – why am I not immune?

nettles and dandelion
Still stinging after all these years ... nettles (and dandelion). Photograph: Sami Lamberg/Alamy Photograph: Sami Lamberg/Alamy Stock Photo

Why am I not immune to nettle stings? I’m 70 years old and was stung in the garden the other day. As a child we played in the fields and woods all the time – I must have been stung at least 5,000 times. Also, while on the subject, when I was stung yesterday I couldn’t find a dock-leaf – my Dad used to say there were always docks near nettles. Where have they gone?

Joe Birkin, Chesterfield, Derbys

Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com

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