Poison Ivy on Face! Miserable!

[allie&mattsmom]

I woke up this morning with poison ivy on my face. Started on my chin and is working it's way down my jaw line and up on my cheeks and nose. I cannot tell you how upset and miserable I am. My doc. called me in something called Methylprednisolon. It's in a pack where you take six the first day and continue this for 6 days taking one less each day. I've taken three so far and I feel sick to my stomach. Has anyone taken this before? I've also been putting clear caladryl lotion on my face and it helps for awhile. Can anyone share any other tips to help make me less miserable? Ever have one of those days where you feel so "Why me?!" Okay, I'm done feeling sorry for myself but if someone has had experience with this drug or could share any helpful tips to keep me from wanting to rip my face off, I'd sure appreciate it!

 

[ckay87]

Ooooh I'm so sorry. No real advice, just keep it OUT OF YOUR EYES! I'm sure this is a no-brainer, but still. My DS's eyes were swollen shut. They put him on a steroid (I think perhaps like what you are on) and gave him a steroid shot. It made him really goofy and tired. Hard to explain, but just watch for side effects and tell the doc of anything really off the wall.

Good luck and...don't scratch

 

[GoodFairies]

I agree with ckay87. Just be really vigilant about washing your hands and do everything you can to keep it out of eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Hopefully the discomfort will decrease soon.
Unfortunately, I can't help with the steroid. I was prescribed one just like that (6-day pack) about 2 years ago and I threw up after every single meal for a month. I will never take them again.

 

[Patty3]

I truly feel for you. I am allergic to Poison Ivy. The last time I did yardwork was about 10 years ago. I got Poison Ivy so bad, my face swelled up and my eyes were swollen to little slits. A close friend was getting married and I could not miss her wedding. I went to the church and had to keep my sunglasses on the entire time. When I greeted her in the receiving line she did not recognize me until I spoke. I hope you feel better real soon!

 

[Laz]

Stay out of the heat and stay in the a/c. Take cool showers and oatmeal baths.

 

[kejoda]

thats sounds so awful. I hope you get rid of it soon.

 

[Disneyrsh]

.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Thanks everyone! I used some stuff called Zanfel (I think that's what it's called, it's upstairs and I'm too lazy to go check ). You make a paste out of it and rub it on the areas and rinse. We'll see. Now it looks to be moving more on my cheek and side of my nose inching up toward my eye! That makes me very nervous! The medicine is making me feel not so good. The biggest bummer for me to have this now (and on my face where you can't cover it up!) is because a good friend of mine and her hubby are celebrating their 40th bdays this Friday in Chicago by inviting a bunch of couples up there for dinner and a night out on the town. It's been on our calendar for months and now I'm afraid I won't be able to go . I do appreciate all of the good thoughts and suggestions you all shared! I'm ready to try anything for comfort and a speedy recovery!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

By the way, Disneyrsh, the picture of you on the stairs with the sander is great! My husband would be thrilled if I was handy and could do stuff like that! I have a friend who has torn up all the carpet in their entire house and refinished all of the hardwood. It's amazing how much $$$ you can save if you're handy! And around here saving $$$=very happy hubby!

 

[vsimeone]

No matter what - you need to go to Chicago!!!

I had this last year. Of course it was right before we were leaving to go to the beach. My Dr. gave me Elidel (sp?) for it and that combined with the salt/sea air seemed to get rid of it. But I feel your pain. It was miserable for days when I first got it!

Take care and have a great time in Chicago!

 

[tluvstink]

Oh my....I have been there and can definately feel your pain. Taking Benedryl helped some. Good luck and feel better soon

Terri

 

[KirstenB]

If you don't get rellief in a day or so, ask your doctor for prednisone. I get poison ivy every year. Got it so bad around my eyes, they both swelled shut. My doctor immediately gives me prednisone (2 tabs a day for 5 days, then one tab a day for 5 days) because I have such a severe reaction.

A different doctor gave me a shot once, but that did nothing whatsover. I'm so sorry, I know exactly how you feel!

 

[mom2grace]

The pills are prednisone. I prefer the shot, but I have to insist on it. I also had it on my face about 12 years ago.

You will probably develop an allergy to the mango fruit over time...........the last time I had mango before I knew I was allergic was at Castaway Cay! Somehow the mango and poison ivy are related..............strangest thing I have ever heard! It took about 5 years for the mango allergy to be severe enough for me to go to the Dr. Thank goodness I had the sense to go to a dermatologist, he diagnosed it right on immediately. The "poison ivy" came back all over my face, ears etc. after eating the mango.........................

 

[allie&mattsmom]

The pills are prednisone. I prefer the shot, but I have to insist on it. I also had it on my face about 12 years ago.

You will probably develop an allergy to the mango fruit over time...........the last time I had mango before I knew I was allergic was at Castaway Cay! Somehow the mango and poison ivy are related..............strangest thing I have ever heard! It took about 5 years for the mango allergy to be severe enough for me to go to the Dr. Thank goodness I had the sense to go to a dermatologist, he diagnosed it right on immediately. The "poison ivy" came back all over my face, ears etc. after eating the mango.........................

That's good to know about the mango. Thanks! Who would have ever thought they are related somehow, huh? You all are making me feel better about all of this. I guess hearing that others have gone through this helps!

 

[ceiligh1]

I just found out the hard way that I am allergic to mango. The reaction is the same as with poison ivy. Swollen lips, rash all over my face and it itched like nothing else. I would put a cold pack on my face and that seemed to reset the sensors in your skin that make it itch. It allowed me to sleep at night which it had been very hard to do before I tried that. I also used benadryl in pill as well as a cream on my face and lips as they itched for the two days or so. It took about 5 days to stop but it finally did and now the rash is almost gone. I
t will go away but it is a pain to put up with until then. My last word of advise is dont take really hot showers the rash will itch like crazy trust me.

Almost forgot another thing to watch for is a latex as well another cross reaction from that can occur.

 

[DoleWhipMe]

Just hope that it's gone for your trip, and think it could be worse....you could have gotten it the night before you left!!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Just hope that it's gone for your trip, and think it could be worse....you could have gotten it the night before you left!!

Thanks! My concern is that it will get worse before it gets better, ya know? Who knows how it could be lookin' Friday. But we'll just have to wait it out and see.

 

[DoleWhipMe]

OHHH...that's true, but i may LOOK worse, but at least you'll FEEL better. The heat may make it worse...did you ask your doc about steroids?? Hopefully you'll be on the Dining plan...lol.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

OHHH...that's true, but i may LOOK worse, but at least you'll FEEL better. The heat may make it worse...did you ask your doc about steroids?? Hopefully you'll be on the Dining plan...lol.

Lol, yeah, the stuff he started me on today are steroids. I've had six today alone! I already feel bloated and hungry! Oh who knows, maybe it's my imagination. But I do know an increased appetite is a side effect (and water retention, oh yay ). Thanks, you made me laugh and I needed it the way I feel. And yeah, we're thinking of doing the dining plan!

 

[MsDisney23]

Oh you poor baby, Ihope you feel better soon.