I’m glad that my union is on strike today, now I can sit at home and devote full time to scratching myself. This time it’s not that bad, really. I usually have massive oozing (and sometimes bleeding) blisters that hang around for at least a month, and the scabs hang around for another week or two after that. During the worst phase of the outbreak, the entire affected limb becomes so swollen than none of the joints can bend. After all has healed, I usually end up with a visible scar. But this time it’s just a few small patches and no major oozing.
The last time I had a really bad blistering rash I went to a dermatologist and got some kind of shot that really did the trick- the rash dried up after a week and was almost totally healed within two weeks.
I know I am unusually susceptible to the oils of these plants, but most of the time I have no clue how I came into contact with the stuff. It’s been more than a week since I was exposed to the great outdoors, and even then I was biking and stayed on the path.
Calamine lotion does nothing for me. I found this little electronic device that claims to eliminate the itching. Without the ithcing, I could actually tolerate the rash. Has anybody ever tried this little gadget? Another site claims that manganese sulfate does the trick, but I’m skeptical that the benefits may only be noticeable for people who have mild, “normal” reactions to the plant.
My son used to be very susceptible to it and would get outbreaks several times each summer (notably after he was with his NCP). Cortisone cream from the Dr. 's helped alot. Also had a recommondation from the pharmacist to try Rhuli Gel (a clear stuff heavily alcohol based), which “worked”, but only for short bits, so you tended to keep on putting more on, and THEN you end up with a different skin rash problem. So, wanted to have you avoid THAT!
The fact that whole limbs are becoming swollen and unusable suggests to me that you are having systemic allergic reactions. Topical creams won’t do a bit of good. I’m not necessarily recommending that you go get a bunch of shots, but you do need to deal with the systemic nature of your reaction. Try a Benadryl. If that doesn’t work, go back to the doc.
Just for the record, I have my first case of poison ivy right now. Very minor, comparatively, but it does itch like the dickens. I feel for you.
i came down with my first case of poison ivy about 3 years ago and now i get it every time i go to a park or hike/bike a trail unless i shower immediately afterwards. i’m so susceptible that i get it through the air - i don’t even have to touch the plant (probably how you got it, opus). the best way to prevent it is to take that immediate shower. do not take a nap after biking near the plants; not only will you get rashes on the parts of you that were in contact while you were riding, you’ll smear the oils on other parts (eyes, stomach, use your imagination). they also sell preventative creams, although i’ve never tried them. i’ve found that in the shower, hot water directed right on the rashes feels so good, it almost makes having the itch worth it (as long as you’ve been able to isolate it to someplace relatively benign, like your forearms).
I am highly allergic topoison ivey and poison oak. I don’t care how well I wrap up when doing yardwork, I still get at least a case of it every year. I hate the stuff. I can’t figure out either how I’m coming in contact with it. Usually a little Clorox will dry it up.
Whoa! Thanks zwaldd. There’s a family joke that I get poison ivy by just looking at it. But now we know otherwise, don’t we?
You people who can remember the first time you got a hit by the hell plant are lucky. I’ve been getting it every summer for as long as I can remember. Once had in my eye, both forearms and on the entire right side of my face AT THE SAME TIME. But I never had it so bad that joints don’t work. opus, I humbly step down from the position as the most susceptible person I know and hand the ivy crown to you.
I can relate. When I was in high school, I didn’t have a car so I had to walk to and from school. A couple of times during the school year, I would break out in in a rash on my face, neck, and arms. My face would swell up and I’d have these small red blisters all over. Topical medications just didn’t do anything for it. I had to go to the doctor and get a shot. I’m not sure what was in it but it worked. Within a day or two the rash would go away.