Poison Ivy!

[Boots]

Here I am 50 years old and never had the stuff before in my life. So Monday I go blackberry and blueberry picking. Stand in the stufff unknowingly. That afternoon my legs itch and I scratch because I didn't know I had poison ivy on my legs. Now it is mostly on the fronts of my legs from the knee to the ankle. I didn't have to go to the doctor, as it is mostly just an itchy aggravation! I have been spraying calamine spray on it and going in the pool every day. I read that the cholorine water is good for drying it up. I only have a small patch with blisters left and it doesn't really itch anymore, but I don't want it to spread. On a poison ivy web sit it says the fluid in the blisters won't cause it to spread but absolutely everyone who has had the stuff says it will. I kept the baby last week some and wore long cotton skirts so she wouldn't touch my legs as she would with shorts. Does anyone know exactly how long it takes though for it to be completely gone? Anyone else have any wonderful cures? I have been told that pure clorox works (but I bet that burns) and to mix alum with coffee. But I have also been told that it takes about one to two weeks to really go away and has to run its course. Thanks for listening and you better believe I will watch what I stand in now!!!

 

[Kitty 34]

Yes, go jump in a pool, Ellen!!! That's what really helped one of my sons last year when he got it real bad.

Sending you lots of PD and calamine lotion!!

 

[Ranatra]

Oh Boots! I feel for you, really I do!
I had it so bad last summer, it went from my ankles to my hip bone, on both legs!!!! I got 2 prednisone shots to get it to go away!

I'd say 2 weeks sounds about right!

 

[lynxstch]

to disappear..you could also try IVAREST (walmart..about $4 a tube)..you put it on thick and let it dry..really stopped my itching..someone else I know uses the pure clorox thing..but it must burn like crazy!

 

[Ronda93]

the blisters do not cause it to spread. The reaction is to the oil in the plant (stems, leaves, berries). If the oil is gone, scratching won't spread the rash.

If you start scratching before bathing, that's another story. I'd watch out for the shoes you wore while berry picking. The oil is most likely on them as well as any other clothing from that day.

The oil can stay potent for a year or so.

I don't know that it truly helps, but after traipsing around in poison ivy I wipe down the outside of my shoes with lacquer thinner.

I know it lingers in the garage. Every few months I'll get a dime sized rash without leaving the sidewalk.

Good luck.

 

[Shutterbug]

I got it for the first time a week before memorial day. With me there was little itching but a lot of pain. The first drug had little effect so I had to go back to the doctor and gave me a diff drug. That cleared most of it. I still have traces of it a month and half later. I just went to the doctor again and he said," wow thats wierd" He then gave me some cream to use on it to try to fully heal it.

 

[Lewski709]

Originally posted by Ronda93
the blisters do not cause it to spread. The reaction is to the oil in the plant (stems, leaves, berries). If the oil is gone, scratching won't spread the rash.

Absolutely true. It can not be given to another person from a person. Wash all the clothes and shoes you had on immediately and YOU won't spread it.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm suffering right along with you . I've had it several times and am now highly allergic. I have no idea where I got it so I have no idea what I was wearing at the time. It's now on both arms and legs and slowly spreading so the oil must be on something I keep coming in contact with.

I'll probably be going to the Dermatologist on Monday for a shot of cortizone and other wonderful medication .

An OTC antihistime (sp?) like Claritin also helps relieve the itching has does a soak in an oatmeal bath (Aveeno).

If it gets on your face you really should see a Dr right away. It's a real concern if it gets near your eyes, nose or mouth.

Feel better soon .

 

[ginna74]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had it and didn't know it ... wierd I know! I never used to mow the lawn and wanted to start so I could get more exercise. This was my first time. I made sure I got around all bushes very close (I did 3 yards) Hubby used to do it on a riding lawn mower. I of course used a push. the next morning I was itchy ALL OVER!!!!! my head.. my face.. my arms....only area that wasn't was my hips and under. the first day I was itchy I thought, ok maybe I somehow became allergic to bugs... I went over a couple of ant hills and knew I was bit.... after like 3 days it just wasn't going away!!!!! it was getting worse! I had blisters.. my head was just swollen.. my face was was red and blistery.... arms weren't as bad believe it or not.... a friend came by and said we needed to get rid of that plant that I mowed around so good.... she pulls them out whenever they grow in her yard... I didn't quite believe it .... cause it was a big plant and none of our kids have gotten poisen ivy... I went on line and sure enough it was!! I had it for about a week and a day and whenever I thought it was done I would get a little more.... I am just glad I found out why I was itchy so much... I have to be honest too... it felt like I had bugs moving in me or something..... it just wasn't stopping.... calimine worked for a second... then the pharmisist said to try cortozone cream. it worked much better!


oh when I mowed around it I was all over it lol! hubby got it up and put it in a garbage big garbage bag and tossed it out!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I've heard late at night when you're sleeping poison ivy comes a'creeping around.