I am very allergic to poison ivy - thank goodness for cortisone cream. But I would freak out when my children came in from where I knew there was poison ivy - shoes off at the door, lukewarm shower, clothes in a plastic bag and DON’T sit on the couch.
“But Mom, we’re not allergic.” “But I am and you will be, and DON’T sit on the couch.”
And they did all eventually become allergic. Told them so.
My brother warned me that Virginia creeper could cause the same reaction. Nah, says I, it’s just the poison ivy hiding in the creeper and I can spot that. Turns out he was right. Serves me right.
So be careful of Virginia creeper too!
Oh my! Never knew that about the creeper. I get itchy around many plants, so I always wear gloves and usually long sleeve, light weight shirt for times when my arms might get exposed.
Now and then I go ahead and work on a tomato plant. Have to wash up, still itchy so splash some alcohol on my arms, and it stops.
I used to get poison ivy very easy, but just don’t go where it might grow now. Granny used to have me lather up with lye soap and leave it just a bit before rinsing. Then we had a thick calamine smelling cream that dried it up pretty good and cooled the itch.