Sunday, September 6, 2009

She'll Get You In Dutch

My entire life I have helped people clean out their gardens with or without the proper equipment. This trip to my parents' house has been no exception. I have never had one issue with any kind of plant, animal or insect. Until now.

Poison ivy, folks. That's right. I have removed this shit year after year and never had even a blush of a rash. Now? I've got a nice welt on my left forearm. I'm afraid to hug my kiddos because it is right there. At perfect grabbing height.

And it's starting to itch like a mother-fucker.

8 comments:

Cristin said...

shit, that sucks. i've never had it.

*knocking wood*

Anonymous said...

As a kid, I used to get a rash from just looking at poison ivy. I once got it so bad that my eyes gooped shut. I had to go to school sporting really dark and dorky looking shades. Now, as an adult, I could probably wallow in it without getting a hint of a rash. Though I'm not brave enough to give it a shot . . .

It'll fade . . . eventually.

So Not Wishy Washy said...

NO NO NO!

Nasty bad stuff! I don't get it but am not brave and stupid enough to tempt fate by rubbing it all over my body like I did when I was 7. My older sister could get it just being nearby when someone was cutting the grass and happened to run over some of it.

Cover that shit with some gauze so it doesn't drip on the kiddos. Poor YOU!

alice said...

Get yourself some technu. It draws the oil out, even days later. Works like a miracle.

If that doesn't work, you're going to really have to splurge and get some zanfel. We've only had to resort to it once, when my husband got a stubborn case of poison oak.

The technu, though, has been more than enough for all cases of poison ivy that have struck this household...

Irrational Dad said...

You're bitching about a little bit on your arm!!??!? I had to remove a TON of it last year before Tyler was born. I thought I was immune to it. I thought wrong. I removed all the ivy plants be tearing them out of the ground with my BARE HANDS... wearing a tank top, shorts, and sandals. I paid dearly for it.

Hope you feel better soon, because I know EXACTLY what you're going through. <3

Not Afraid to Use It said...

@Creepy: I'm a bit bitter bc I've never gotten it before. I mean, why now?

@cheekofgod: At least you've gone the other way. Most of my reading shows that people tend to become more sensitive to it the more they are exposed. I have enough problems with my skin as it is.

@So Not Wishy Washy: I've heard about people who get it when it is airborne. Nasty stuff indeed!

@Alice: I looked it up and will have to pick up some tonight. Thanks for the tip!

@Joe: The itching has been going in phases, though last night was the worst. I just drenched my arm in Dawn and scalded it under the faucet. It actually feels a bit better now. :)

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

Man. I've been so lucky that I've never been affected by that stuff. My grandmother washing us off with diluted bleach after hikes probably helped. I stay away from it because that's something I don't need to check off my life list. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh that sucks.