Does anyone , like me, suffer form a rash that is brought on by being in direct contact with these nuisance conifers that grow about ten-feet every year?

My arms come out in a horrible, ghastly-red, spotty, hideous, unsightly, itchy rash that is not unlike the rash caused by nettle stings.

Or am I just unusual.

Yes, I get that. I've got one of those hedges and I get a horrendous rash every time I cut it. It goes away after a while though. The rash that is, not the hedge (unfortunately).

I have reverted to wearing something long-sleeved when trimming the bugger in an effort to remain rash-free.

Yup Sam. I helped my dad trim them back during the summer and I'm still feeling the effects now!!!! :o

At the time I got a couple of scratches up my arms and they went rather red and itchy, but within a couple of weeks I had small blotches of bright red psoriasis (sp) all over my body, with the exception of my face thankfully.

Luckily I managed to get some medication from the doc's (a clear ointment called Dovobet) and that keeps it under control but it still comes back after a while if I don't treat it regularly. A bit embarrassing when you want to go swimming or take your top off to get changed somewhere public. :(

That is rather serious. At least mine goes away after a day-or-so.

I wonder what it is that causes it?

I have the same thing if we have a real Xmas tree. Think it is sap on it.

I only get it if I've been in direct contact with the stuff, but it's still not nice being covered in itchy red spots. :(

Flippin allergies eh?