---------------------------------------- Poison Sumac April 27th, 2018 ---------------------------------------- We had a storm here a few weeks back that did a bunch of damage to the trees in my yard. One of these trees in the backyard split into three pieces straight down the middle! On Saturday I took my hatchet and a chain saw (literally saw-teeth on a chain that you drag back and forth by hand) and I set to work clearing things. In the process of chopping and sawing I failed to notice that the sad tri-split tree was also surrounded by an overgrown bush of poison sumac. (If you're not familiar with this particular breed of awfulness, it's just like poison ivy or poison oak, but harder to identify.) I was mostly prepared for the work, wearing long pants and sturdy gloves. I didn't have on a long sleeve shirt, though (it was hot!). So, now I'm super itchy and covered in a blistery rash. Calamine lotion helps a bit, but I'm ready for this ordeal to be over. I've gotten hit by sumac twice before, and thankfully this time is much less severe. My first exposure was on a canoeing trip where I failed to notice that the creek I was in was surrounded on both sides by sumac. I was covered in a rash from the waist up after that trip. The second time was the worst. I was in Boy Scouts on a camping trip and one of the new scouts tossed in a bunch of green branches into the fire. It started smoking and flew into my face before I noticed what was going on. I was just about to explain why we don't burn green wood when I saw what it was. Too late. I was hospitalized that time, as I got the sumac in my eyes and lungs. No good at all. I hope this clears up soon. I'm so damned itchy!