Michiganders Make Sure You Know What Poison Sumach Is

Most people are familiar with poison Ivy and oak but many Michiganders do not know what poison sumach is. Learn what sumach is here.

The First Time I Discovered Poison Sumach

I've lived in Michigan most of my life but did live in Indiana for several years before moving back to the Great Lakes state. I had been in Indiana for about 12 years before encountering poison sumach.

I had been doing landscaping around my house. I did the front side of the house one spring and let the back go to work on the next. From one year to the next small stems grew that I thought were weeds.

I was wearing gloves and pulling these little stems while clearing the landscaping. Even though I wore gloves, it was hot and I wiped my brow a couple of times but brushed against the stems wearing shorts with my legs. My older boy took off his gloves for some reason while putting this stuff in the burn pit and got sumach all over his hands. He also wiped his brow and got it on his arms and legs. We had no idea what we had gotten into until a neighborhood mentioned Sumach. We were both punished by poison sumach for weeks.

Read More: Watch Out For Stinging Nettles During July 4th Weekend 

What is Poison Sumach?

Poison sumach trees are beautiful little trees that grow to about 15 feet tall. Do not be fooled by their beauty or you will have a rough few weeks if you touch the leaves and stems of these trees.

Sumach grows all over Michigan and contains the same oil in its sap as poison ivy and oak. Sumach is so potent that you can't even touch it in the winter without having a serious rash.

Poison sumach grows all over West Michigan. I see sumach growing along US 131, in neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, in many of the local parks, and around woods near the beaches along Lake Michigan.

Get our free mobile app

First, do not scratch the area that may have touched poison sumach or could lead to spreading and infection. Immediately rinse your skin with lukewarm soapy water to prevent spreading. Wash your clothing also because the oil can hang around and give you another rash. Take a baking soda bath in lukewarm water or a cool shower. Use Cortozone-10 on the area of the rash to keep it from itching while it heals the infected area. If you don't improve after 7 to 10 days see a dermatologist.