Quoted:
I had a friend that cut some wood for a fireplace that didn't think anything about the poison ivy vines. He and the family got treated for the rash. Later when it got cold they burned the wood, they ended up in the hospital with respiratory problems for several days from the poison ivy in the smoke.
Yeah, it's no joke. Unfortunately, all of my kin folk and friends think I'm ridiculous for watching out for it and staying away from burning brush piles.
I went 2 months in the summer of 2006 with rashes covering at least 50% of my body. That fucking sucked. The worst is when it's on your face, the eye lids in particular. Come to find out, that doc wasn't even giving me the good drugs. Went to another doctor and I was cleared up within a week.
I stay way the hell away from it now. Unfortunately, my mom didn't understand the importance of it, even after I explained to her how bad of a reaction it can cause me.