Got gloves?

Gardening. It’s that time of year again. One of my favorites. I mentioned last year a few gardening tips. This year I have a new one – poison ivy. I learned that although my fantastic husband is building me a bean trellis and preparing a bed for the bean plants is a bright idea, what isn’t is not recognizing the vine of the poison ivy plant. Let me enlighten you. Exhibit 1:

The sneaky little creep was taking my fence apart. It was just a vine, no leaves. I figured it was time to bare-handedly (yes, you can guess where this is going) take that beast down. I pulled. I yanked. I growled as I tried my best to pull it by its gnarly roots. Victory, or so I thought, I got the majority crammed into the big trashcan, wiped my dirty hands on my pants, and moved on to digging up lilies to prepare the bed for beans.

Then comes Monday. Working diligently as three kids circle. I find myself irritated by a welt on my arm. I scratch. Looks like a mosquito bite. Happens. I subconsciously scratch more. I finally take a shower from the busy work day and the day before’s gardening to where I find a l blotch on my hand, arm, forearm, leg, belly,…you get the picture. Before the week is over I keep thinking of the leprosy dudes from the bible. Lord, was this anything akin to that?

Exhibit 2:

After a bit of research…

Here’s what I learned:
1. I need a goat – frankly I don’t want another creature to care for. But considering they are the only one on God’s green earth that actually prefer to eat my newest nemesis, I am contemplating the idea. Checking the city ordinances. Thinking of names.
2. Poison ivy is some strong stuff. One article stated that just enough of the oil that would cover the head of a pin could infect 500 people.
3. You cannot spread it to other creatures once you have it. At least not via your rash, oozing gorgeousness, etc. I asked our pediatrician since we were there for check-ups. I was concerned that Cody would get it being plastered to my torso five times a day.
4. You can’t kill it (aside from point #1). It is highly recommended not to burn it (unless you want in it your eyes or lungs. Can we say “dead”.)
5. The oil is also in the vines and no leaves are required to infect or caution the unsuspecting idiot gardener who insists on not wearing gloves because she “wants to feel the earth between her fingers”. Similar to Virginia Creeper, which can be leaves of 3, 5, or 7. Let’s compare (VA Creeper first two. Poison Ivy third):

If you are allergic to poison ivy, chances are you will likely get a similar rash from Virginia Creeper. Some say not as strong though.

6. It is very hard to kill off the oil. So think about that when you don’t change your sheets for days after you encounter it. Not washing your hair. And thus giving the illusion it “spreads” from one sore to a new spot on the body. The sheets are currently in the wash on HOT water. One article said to throw them away. I will itch before I go buy a new set of sheets. See Money post here. Plus, I’d say it is a slippery slope if you get in the habit of fearfully throwing things away for fear it has the oil on it. I would have thrown the dog, carpet, and children away at this point.
7. It is the ideal time to schedule your weekend getaway with friends as the infestation on your body is in full force. Ya know, the spa package you got from your husband for Christmas but couldn’t get away any sooner. Ya know, the one that requires you to be touched for a message and pedicure? Yeah, that one. We shall see tomorrow how that goes.
8. Aveeno lotion with oatmeal helps
9. This stuff helps even more. My stubborn tail didn’t buy it (refer to Money post) until two days ago. Wait, no, I still had to get my loving husband to buy it because I didn’t want to spend the money. But over all you pretty much have to wait for the rash to go away.
10. Scratching does not spread it. Go on scratch it. Feel better? Yeah, me neither. However, it won’t heal as fast. Learning a lot of lessons this week.

So next time you go out gardening – and I truly hope you still will – keep these tips in mind. As they say “leaves of three leave them be!”…for Virginia Creeper…maybe you will be in the group that isn’t allergic to it. Happy spring!