Poison Ivy: 2, Ray: 0
So, I've already mentioned my run-in with poison ivy. Since I'm slowly turning into Sloth from Goonies, I thought it might be time to get professional help. My eye is swollen; I've got the ivy on both legs and both arms, and my right hand is... scary. I'm not joking. Like my kids run from it.
So last night my wife dropped me off at a "Doc in the Box" and I got both a shot and some nice pills. So far... things maybe seem a bit better. My eye isn't as "Sloth-like" anymore, but the rest of the rashes/blisters look bad, if maybe a bit dimmer.
So, whats the moral of the story? I'll never, ever, touch anything again that is even close to being green and leafy. Period. Nature BAD! Inside GOOD!
Comments
need to close up that <i></i> tag Ray
# Posted By Sean Coyne
| 9/9/05 1:13 PM
Already fixed. Damn HTML. ;)
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 9/9/05 1:21 PM
brutal, i got it last year. nothing you can really do to get rid of it either, anti-biotics just kind of hold it at bay and make it somewhat bearable. doc said it's just a virus and it needs to run it's course, took about 2 weeks for me, although i didn't have it nearly as bad as you. Some days it looks like it's getting better others it will appear to spread around to strange areas that you know were covered but that's normal from what i understand, it's just moving around in your body.
just stay away from ridiculous home remedies like pouring bleach on it or popping the blisters.
good luck..
just stay away from ridiculous home remedies like pouring bleach on it or popping the blisters.
good luck..
# Posted By Dunc
| 9/9/05 1:46 PM
Ray,
It's probably too late for this round, but next time (and there will be a next time!) try Zanfel. IT's expensive ($40/tube) and doesn't work quite as well as they claim (at least on me) but it's still the best treatment around. It's usually reduces my bouts from 3 weeks and very ugly to 1 week and just some redness.
btw, it's not a virus just very, very nasty allergic reaction to the oil in the plant. Zanfel bonds with the oils and allows you to wash them away - so the sooner you use it the better.
It's probably too late for this round, but next time (and there will be a next time!) try Zanfel. IT's expensive ($40/tube) and doesn't work quite as well as they claim (at least on me) but it's still the best treatment around. It's usually reduces my bouts from 3 weeks and very ugly to 1 week and just some redness.
btw, it's not a virus just very, very nasty allergic reaction to the oil in the plant. Zanfel bonds with the oils and allows you to wash them away - so the sooner you use it the better.
# Posted By Walt Sparrow-Hood
| 9/9/05 2:03 PM
Travels thru the bloodstream, doesn't spread if you touch someone else's blisters. That why it appears in areas that weren't touched by the leaf.
Some info states that washing with soap and water immediately after touching it makes things worse. Hmmm...
Hope ya get better soon! That crap makes me miserable.
Will
Some info states that washing with soap and water immediately after touching it makes things worse. Hmmm...
Hope ya get better soon! That crap makes me miserable.
Will
# Posted By Will
| 9/9/05 2:54 PM
It's good that you sought a doctor after it reached a certain stage. I was very badly infected 2-3 years ago, but after visiting a hospital I was nearly normal the next day.
I've used Tecnu in the past, but have always had difficulty recognizing I was exposed, and where. The new Tecnu Extreme acts as a prophylactic.
Poison oak plants, and mosquitos... once I take over this omnidimensional sphere I'll send 'em back to the nether regions where they belong.... ;-)
I've used Tecnu in the past, but have always had difficulty recognizing I was exposed, and where. The new Tecnu Extreme acts as a prophylactic.
Poison oak plants, and mosquitos... once I take over this omnidimensional sphere I'll send 'em back to the nether regions where they belong.... ;-)
# Posted By John Dowdell
| 9/9/05 3:12 PM
Post It!!!! http://www.jowlers.com/
# Posted By rd
| 9/9/05 3:48 PM
I've had poison ivy pretty bad in the past myself. The first time I got in on some running trails. My legs swelled up pretty large and I couldn't walk for weeks.
Each time it's gotten "that bad" I've had to use steroidal cream (prescription only). Just something to ask the doctor about if you're looking for remedies (goes away pretty quickly with it).
Each time it's gotten "that bad" I've had to use steroidal cream (prescription only). Just something to ask the doctor about if you're looking for remedies (goes away pretty quickly with it).
# Posted By Jeff Coughlin
| 9/9/05 10:31 PM
Ray,
Goto to the store and get Epson Salt. It comes in what looks like a paper mile carton. Draw a bath and then sit in that for a while.
Goto to the store and get Epson Salt. It comes in what looks like a paper mile carton. Draw a bath and then sit in that for a while.
# Posted By tony petruzzi
| 9/10/05 3:08 PM
Next time around... The oil that is in Poison Ivy is what causes the problem. As soon as you touch a spot or if it gets on your clothes, the oils end up everywhere...especially on your hands. If you use alchohol as soon as you discover it, you have a good chance of removing the oils and saving yourself a lot of aggravation.
Bob
Bob
# Posted By Bob Campbell
| 9/15/05 3:54 AM