Misery

I must be an idiot because this is the second time this spring that I have unwittingly come in contact with a plant that gives me a horrible allergic reaction. The first time was last month, right before Easter. I was cleaning out one of my many huge flower bed to get reading for mulching and planting. This particular bed was over run with a thorny vine. I have no idea what it was, but apparently I was not particularly careful with my arms coming in contact with the many thorns. I must have a dozen or more puncture wounds from this horrible vine. No big deal, I went in and washed up. The next day I was covered in rash and the puncture wounds were swollen. Trip one to the doctor. One intense round of Prednisone, which is a nasty drug. Fast forward to last Thursday. Cleaning out yet another bed. This time it was poison ivy. I swear I was careful, I wore long gloves and jeans. Well I should have been wearing a long sleeve shirt as well. I guess I must have contaminated my rakes and shovel, since the rash appeared on my inner arms, exactly where I picked them up to haul them back to my garage.

So now I am miserable again. I am constantly loaded up on a cocktail of Benedryl, Claratin, hydrocortisone and gin. I think I might go back to the doctor. I know that the probably will think I am an idiot. The second time I have come in for a self induced reaction. I win the award for stupid gardener. I really should take a picture of my arms for posterity.