Weeds...evil Weeds

sounds like nettles, they sting like bees. wear gloves next time.


---Mike Savad

https://www.google.com/search?q=nettle+plant&num=100&safe=off&client=firefox&hs=yX2&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=aQcmVIrHHcmYyAS2hoDwDA&ved=0CB8QsAQ it shows the rash as well.

basically it shows, never weed things. i can't touch plain ivy, i'll itch for weeks, its like poison ivy to me, same with polyester,but we don't have too much of a polyester problem, it doesn't grow native around here.

---Mike Savad

Pothos? Got a picture?

Mike ...thank you! That looks exactly like the stuff. It does sting and it has been hours...I have to get it out of there but now I don't even want to touch it with gloves. A flame thrower would be good. Lol...polyester is not good for me either. OMG does this stuff spread like poison ivy?

@Edward...that's the stuff in Mikes link...don't ever touch it...look innocuous but it isn't!

from what i understand, its covered in hairs and each hair has an acid like substance. so i guess the hair is still in your skin. to get the hair out for polyester, i use poster tack, seems to work, not sure if its the same for nettles. there might be a way to calm down the itch. i use sarna sensitive which works well. gloves and a long sleeve jacket should be enough. but this is what the gardeners are for, they may be worth the price.

i don't think it spreads, but there might be a delayed reaction. and the histamines generated through the scratching may make it worse. i'm betting a cool soak should help.


---Mike Savad

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Sting-from-a-Stinging-Nettle
rub lightly with a cloth and cold water
use aloe
baking soda
use tape and pull it out
they mention dock plant, but i wouldn't chance that, i'd probably pick up poison ivy.... as they say, leaves of green, probably poison ivy - don't touch any of it.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/daylily/con0317480831153.html?16
someone used toothpaste


---Mike Savad

This stuff is horrible ...not scratching that does make it worse. Tried to soak it out earlier...didn't work and then tried all the creams and ointments I have. I smeared Elmer's glue on the worst of it...maybe that will pull it out. I can't believe I never encountered this stuff before. Thanks Mike...I am glad I now know what it is...got a feeling I'll just have to suck it up and hope it goes away soon.

try cleaning with soap and water, dry, and use duct tape. if you use wax for hair, use that instead. though that may be unpleasant to the skin, it may pull the hairs out. it's like a fine cactus.

i let the weeds just grow.

buy a cow.


---Mike Savad

You are right...should have just left the weeds alone...another couple of weeks and they'll all die anyway. Wow I just peeled off the glue and I think it feels a tad bit better...maybe another coat and then a good soak.

Oooh Val, the rash on those images - looks awful .
Got gardens - keep "Tecnu" in the house. Works better than calamine.
I would soak that in Epsom Salts to draw out the poison . Google it to be sure. Maybe cold milk compress to cool it for the night.

where you find nettles..you usually find doc leaves...these are like a natural antidote. if you rub the affected area with the (bur)doc's the irritation immediately stops.

Nasty weeds, we have them in England
we call them nettles, they do give you a nasty rash, l dont think they harm.
depends how much you get stung, like Barry says a doc leaves or natural yogurt can help.carm the stinging and swelling.
Hope you will be ok Val?
Teresa

I used to have a landlady who would make nettle pie. http://prismmagazine.ca/2013/04/15/nettles-and-a-recipe-for-pie/

Thank you All...The rash is almost gone today...I can still see where it was and my fingers still have Band-Aids on them but I guess it just goes away. With all the outdoor stuff I do I can't believe I never encountered this stuff before...Hope I never do again!

@Kim...Nettle Pie...are you kidding me? I can even image what that would do to your interior parts!

now on to discovering which plants are poison ivy, and which are sumac. this time of year the poison plants have a nice color to them.

---Mike Savad

I remember my first encounter with nettles. I was visiting a cousin who lived in the woods. I was walking back to the cabin and a vine was in my way and I pushed it aside. My hand was itchy all night, but I didn't say anything. Then my cousin cautioned other family members "there's a lot of nettles out there." I asked what nettles were, he told me, and I had the explanation for my itchy hand.

On other occasions I've barely brushed my hand against one and itched for hours. I can imagine what grabbing a handful would do!

Take a antihistamine pill also antihistamine cream, really helps. Had this stuff on my property, nasty stuff.

Masking tape works great, so I would think the stuff Mike mentioned might also. Use calamine lotion for the irritation.

Glad you're feeling better today, Val ... I read this last night but didn't have anything helpful to say. Good girl!!

Mike, I'm not going back out there till everything is dead...nothing more do I want to discover.

James, It is impossible to forget that stuff...I'm just glad I didn't drop the stuff on my feet and legs.

Dan, I will remember about the masking tape and hope I never need it for this stuff again.

Susan thank you...I wish I had thought of that :)

Lois, thank you!

I'm still thinking about nettle pie and why a person would want to actually eat the stuff!

Nettles don't sting once they're cooked. There are a lot of old country recipes for nettle soup - never tried it myself, but apparently it's very nutritious.

i wonder who was the first person that tried eating that stuff.

---Mike Savad