The Poison

Sumac in Spring

Sumac in Autumn

A few days ago, Sunday afternoon to be exact, my husband came down with a horrible rash on his feet. At first, it sounded like bug bites. But when no one else was getting bit, and no one had left the property, we started to as questions. For Joe, his feet just kept getting worse. Luckily, his company's medic came over our house, and was able to take a look at Joe's feet.

It's POISON SUMAC!

Oak in Spring

Oak in Autumn

I find this amazing and amusing. I am severely allergic to poison ivy and poison oak, to the point where I have had to be put on steroids and antibiotics from my immune system becoming so compromised by the plant. I asked the medic, how is it possible that Joe got a case, but Mason and I walk around the backyard barefoot constantly, and we both show no signs (and are both allergic to oak and ivy). According to the medic, it is possible to be allergic to one, and not the other. And normally, those who are allergic to poison ivy, have some natural immunity to poison sumac.  This works the other way, too, which makes sense. Joe isn't allergic to poison ivy in the slightest, but damn, is he allergic to the sumac!

Ivy in Spring

Ivy in Autumn

Not to mention that our backyard is FULL of poison sumac. I had cut it back and sprayed it down with herbicide, but it's resilient like catnip - it just won't go away! So for those of you that don't know, I have pictures of all 3 poison plants in their spring/summer and autumn colors, so you can be aware, and know what to stay away from!

Also, Joe's feet did not respond to Benadryl or Calamine lotion. Mason is allergic to Benadryl , so he suggested for Joe to use Tecnu Extreme, which is a medicated poison ivy scrub, and it's homeopathic, so it's alright in my book! As Joe was washing his feet with it, he could instantly feel the burning and itching fading away. So try it if you have a bad breakout from these plants. It's only $12, found at pharmacies, and even the dreaded Wal-Mart.

This post was partially inspired by Stuff from the Attic, who asked what is the possible purpose of poison ivy, and Butterfly's Psyche, who discussed the uses and reasons for why poison ivy is beneficial to the planet.