What the heck happened?

[onlyadream]

So last weekend my friend and I walked in the woods (north shore of Long Island), and after 20 minutes my friend complained of itchy arms and legs (she wore short sleeves and shorts). We looked at her skin and saw nothing. She kept complaining, and said it was hard to describe, like an itchy burning feeling all over.

I didn't feel anything, until about an hour after I got home. All of the sudden my legs were itching and burning. I wore jeans, which I peeled off as fast as I could, it was unbearable. How my friend stuck it out for an hour with me I don't know. I took a shower and washed my clothes and all is well now.

I just have no idea what caused it. Anyone know?

[Historic NY]

1. Lots of things out there NYDEC lists these as the worst

https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/105282.html]


Hog Weed is the worst
https://abc7ny.com/hogweed-long-island-manorville/1415775/]

[onlyadream]

7. We didn't touch any plants

The path was pretty wide, like maybe six feet. About 20 minutes in my friend started complaining, and then I got it when I went home.
I think it might be oak mites, and it took them a while to burrow through my jeans to my skin. And maybe they just didn't land on my arms. But why not the face, and why no rash? A shower completely fixed it.

But the burning/itching was absolutely crazy. All over my legs, every inch.

[underpants]

2. Did you walk through any greenery?

It could have been poison Ivy or something like that.

[onlyadream]

6. I have lots of experience with poison ivy

This only lasted until I showered. And there's absolutely nothing on my skin, not even redness. It was unbearably intense! I'm so glad the shower got rid of it. But why not my arms, and I had jeans on.

I thought it might be oak mites, but the bites leave marks.

[PJMcK]

3. Russian nerve gas

Last edited Tue Aug 30, 2022, 02:07 PM - Edit history (1)

It's odorless and colorless.

What have you done that the Russkies are onto you?

Or is it your friend?

Hmm..

Just kidding. Without any expertise or examination I hazard the guess that it was a reaction to a plant emanation. Some plants have defensive chemicals that they release and you both might have been exposed to it.

I've hiked the woods on LI's north shore but never experienced the discomfort you two had. I've gotten poison ivy & oak and been stung by bees and other insects but never the symptoms you described. Strange that there weren't any rashes.

You might want to pick another place to hike. Have you been to Wildwood State Park in Wading River? It's fantastic! There are hundreds of acres of forest and stunning views of Long Island Sound.

[onlyadream]

5. This happened at the David Weld Sanctuary

I highly recommend, but go early since the parking lot has only six spots. It goes along the sound, so you see it through the trees, and I think there's a path down to the water.

I love Wildwood! Haven't been there in a while.

[doc03]

4. Chiggers a tiny red spider mite. Take cold shower treat

with hydrocortazone cream. I am not a doctor though.