Watch Out For Stinging Nettles During July 4th Weekend

If you and your kids plan on being outside a lot in Michigan during the Fourth of July weekend, watch out for stinging nettles or someone will have a bad couple of days.

Michigan Fourth of July Weekend

Many Michiganders will be camping, barbecuing, fishing, hiking, or walking, and some will do yard projects during the Fourth of July weekend.

If you are outdoors this weekend or anytime in the summer, there is one item you don't want to come in contact with the stinging nettle.

What is a Stinging Nettle?

When I lived in Indiana I was wearing shorts in the summer and was checking out potential deer hunting spots in a section of woods. I walked through this little patch of greens that had little hairs on the stems and were soft.  A few hours later my legs were on fire. I couldn't believe the pain and there is not much you can do about it other than if you know you went through them, immediately wash the area with baking soda water and that may help but the only real remedy is time.

Read More: What Is a Jobbie Nooner? It's Not What You Think 

This past weekend I was tilling up some food plots for deer and turkey and my son was catching frogs near some culverts I put in last summer. I did not see the stinging nettles nearby and he walked through those a ton and had some scratches on his legs at the end of the day. That night, that poor little guy's legs were on fire and the next day he woke up in hives and could barely walk. I felt so terrible that I didn't spot the nettles and he went through that pain.

The rash above is nowhere close to what my son experienced on his legs but gives you an idea of what it looks like. Learn about stinging nettles and teach your kids to avoid them. Stinging nettles are all over Michigan so if you are getting into the woods or fields make sure you are wearing pants or you will regret it if you get into a patch.