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Poison Ivy Identification after Rash

Steve WebbSteve Webb Posts: 29
in Plants

Hello there, I've bought a house with a lovely mature garden which is the first garden for me. So far I've enjoyed working in it and learning as I go along. I have one major problem though there appears to be poison ivy somewhere and I am just getting over a very bad rash from it on my arms and have been on various drugs for over a week because of it.

I've taken a look around the garden but I'm having trouble identifying the culprit. There are several plans that I suspect it could be. I suspect it could be in the fence/arch that separates the two sections of the garden but I'm unsure. I've added a few pictures of potential targets, if someone could tell me which one contains the poison ivy I would be very grateful :) 

imageimageimage

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,034

    If your new home is in Great Britain you won't find Poison Ivy anywhere ... it doesn't grow in the UK  thank the heavens image

    Show us some more photos of the areas where you've been working prior to noticing the rash,  and photos of the rash might be helpful too ... if they're decent image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,241

    I'd check for Euphorbias first.

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,581

    All plants in pic above should be fine.

    Do you have this?

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=viburnum+rhytidophyllum&rlz=1C1GNAM_en-GBGB687GB687&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwi9Dx0rvVAhVJIcAKHbfpD0gQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&bih=759

    The hairs on the leaves  of Viburnum rhytidophyllum can cause problems

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,034

    Good idea Fidget ... any plants exuding white sap when you cut them?

    If so that's likely to be the culprit .. euphorbia sap can cause awful wheals and burns if you get it on your skin; worse when exposed to sunlight.  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Steve WebbSteve Webb Posts: 29

    Ah I'd assumed it was poison ivy just because my right lower arm developed a very bad itch rash all over a few days after cutting back a fair few plants in the garden. I was a little surprised that the rash only started a few days after the gardening. My left arm also got it but less so. I was put on steroids and and an anti histamine(sp?) and the doctor was fairly surprised at how bad the rash was. It could in theory I suppose be insect bites but there are no large lumps just a very bad red rash (now going) and lots of little bumps like heat bumps.

    I'll try and take a few more pics as maybe there are other plants that I could have a reaction with.

    I've just taken a look at Euphorbias but the sites I went to came up with lots of different looking plants !

    Thanks for the help so far :) 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,034

    Anything like this imageEuphorbia lathyris

    or thisimage

    or with similar leaves?


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Steve WebbSteve Webb Posts: 29

    No I don't think I have any plants like that. I've added a few more pics, the first one shows a plant by my sunhouse that when I cut it dripped a fair bit of white sap ! As you can see my garden has a lot of plants in it, shame I didn't take a pic a few weeks ago it was like a rainbow with all the flowers and roses :)

    imageimageimageimageimageimage

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,034

    Hmmm ... follow the direction of the peacock's gaze .... right back in the shade behind the yellowish shrub .... I can't get a clear pic if I zoom in .... are those fern leaves or could they be euphorbia?

    But what a beautiful garden ... absolutely gorgeous image

    Last edited: 03 August 2017 19:39:34


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Steve WebbSteve Webb Posts: 29

    Lol well spotted, yes there is a fern there and a few around the garden. I cut a few back as they were taking over in patches and cutting out light to a few other plants. The first pic is what the peacock is pointing to and the other are plants around it.

    imageimageimage

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,034

    OK, no euphorbias there ............ image  

    Maybe, as you're new to gardening, your skin's just a bit more susceptible to some of the plants that most of us have either become inured to or have learned to avoid.    Some people have a real sensitivity to tomato foliage where as the rest of us just feel a mild tingling after fossicking around amongst the leaves.  

    Wear long sleeves when gardening, and if you get sap on your skin or scratches, then shower and keep your skin covered or stay out of the sun until we find out what the triggers are .....

    Good luck and let us know how it goes ........... 

    image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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