We have a big arborvitae near our garage.
I usually string lights in it at Christmastime and I noticed that I would get painful itching in my hands and arms, anyplace where I came in contact with the branches. The itching can get so intense that I’ll scratch myself raw.
Googling (at least for me) doesn’t come up with anything conclusive.
Similarly, I had to cut down a small eastern red cedar, and not learning anything from my arborvitae experiences, I again experienced the dreaded itching from hell.
I did that Sunday (the 15th) and I still have some red blotches.
Has anyone out there had similar reactions?
Thanks.
Dear Moderator:
Might I have started this thread in the wrong forum?
If so, please move it.
Thank you.
Arbor vitae? That’s really cool, because that’s what you see when you cut open the cerebellum. (second picture here)
You’re not alone, BwanaBob. Actually, I have a huge pine tree in my yard that causes me to break out in a horrible itchy red rash whenever I touch it. I now have to put on a long sleeved jacket and gloves when I mow and rake around it. What causes it? No idea. I just know it sucks.
I once had a gnarly case of the hives from romping around in some Christmas trees for sale at my mom’s work when I was a kid. Never happened before or since, though.
I have the same reaction to a tree in Hawaii that is called a Christmas Berry Tree. It made me itchy all over, and gave me a sinus headache. Turns out they are realated to posion oak!
I found that anything growing on said tree will make me itch, but the sap and the pollen are the worst. Big junky hives worst case, little hard bumps better.
Shower whenever exposed to the trees. Very important if your hot a sweaty, cause it gets into your skin then. (Yeeuck)