Poison Ivy

[musicman1951]

Unbeknownst to me until way too late I got into a patch of poison ivy. After a couple of days it became a systemic problem and I'm on prednisone and an antibiotic. I'll live, but I can't shave for a while - face is covered.

And the new Proraso sandalwood cream and pre-shave just arrived: neither of which I have ever tried.

So I need you to do something for me: have a great shave or two and enjoy it enough for both of us.

 

[blindmouse]

That's sounds terrible!

 

[Alucard73]

I hate poison ivy. Hope it goes away soon.

 

[luvmysuper]

Wait a minute...
Poison Ivy is "all natural" - isn't that supposed to be good for you?

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac can be a real nightmare. If you think it's tough on an adult, picture a small child with it. Keep an eye on your family if you're out in the great outdoors.

Hope you make a speedy and full recovery. Good luck.

 

[nrv216]

Having had poison ivy close to 30 times, I feel your pain! There is just no avoiding it by my uncle's house and even if you do, the dogs carry it in on them. The only time I have had to take medication for it was when it got near my genitals or eyes. Best tip I ever got was to soak the affected areas in the hottest water you can stand for as long as you can! It aleviates the itch for several hours although that might not be plausible on your face (I still did it). Good luck to you sir!

nrv216

 

[bhalv]

I just got rid of some poison ivy a few days ago, I hate being on prednisone, that stuff sucks all your energy

 

[luvmysuper]

Worst case I ever saw was a friend who used a power mower to cut down a bunch of "weeds" on his property, and then piled them up, put gas on 'em, and burned them, while hanging around shirtless tending the fire.

Not sure if it was poison ivy or a cousin, but between the bits flying all over from the power mower, and then standing in the smoke from them burning, he was laid up for 2 weeks in agony.
Doc says it was a good thing he didn't breathe the stuff in or it could have killed him.

 

[Viseguy]

Bummer. Get well soon!

 

[ackvil]

Good luck with it. I was highly allergic to it as a youngster but have not had a bout with it for some time.

I remember working in construction one summer when one individual worker boasted that he chewed poison ivy to build up his immunity. An individual followed that advice ended up in a hospital after his tongue and throat swelled up and he had extreme difficulty breathing.

 

[fine wine]

OK, what I'm about to say is not a endorsement. I'm not saying this works for everyone, but it does work on me. While hunting on my grandparent's farm I got into a patch of poison ivy. By the time I got back to the house my arms were starting to itch. I said something to grandpa and he got a bottle of Windex with ammonia had me take my shirt off and started to spray me with the stuff. Then he had me stand there and let it dry and sprayed me again, and let that dry. Then told me to go in and take a bath as hot as I could stand.
By the time I dried off I noticed I wasn't itching but just a little. By the next day I was still showing a bad rash but the irritation was gone. Take this information and due what you want with it. But for goodness sakes don't spray the stuff in your face!!!!...................JR

 

[luvmysuper]

OK, what I'm about to say is not a endorsement. I'm not saying this works for everyone, but it does work on me. While hunting on my grandparent's farm I got into a patch of poison ivy. By the time I got back to the house my arms were starting to itch. I said something to grandpa and he got a bottle of Windex with ammonia had me take my shirt off and started to spray me with the stuff. Then he had me stand there and let it dry and sprayed me again, and let that dry. Then told me to go in and take a bath as hot as I could stand.
By the time I dried off I noticed I wasn't itching but just a little. By the next day I was still showing a bad rash but the irritation was gone. Take this information and due what you want with it. But for goodness sakes don't spray the stuff in your face!!!!...................JR

There is some evidence that Ammonia neutralizes urushiol.
Field trials suggest when used within 20 minutes of exposure it is effective in preventing the rash. It does not seem to work on established rashes.

There are several commercially available products on the market which contain ammonia, many of which also contain baking soda.

 

[Redstickjohn]

I feel your pain. I am highly allergic to poision ivy, oak, and sumac. Had a really tough time with it as a child. I got into some last year, but fortunately it wasn't a bad case. Take care....feel for ya.

 

[Mick]

I've never gotten into any.

When I was around 12 and visiting relatives my cousin had gotten into it. He took me out and showed me what it looked like. I never forgot.

I can spot it from 15 feet away and have been able to avoid it all of my life. It sticks out like an orange in a basket of apples to my mind.

Any that pops up around here gets blasted with round up as soon as I see it. Stop what ever I am doing and make sure it is DEAD!!!

 

[MaxP]

There is also anecdotal evidence of minimization by washing the affected areas as soon as possible with Dawn. Dawn is believed to cut the oils that are the base component in the urushiol.

Dawn. Not Palmolive, not Joy, etc. Dawn.

As always, YMMV.

 

[Pkrankow]

Go outside in the heat and work up a sweat, then take a hot shower. You'll feel better for a little while at least. Just don't overdo it.

Depending on your reaction level, washing well with plain water soon after exposure can remove enough oils to prevent a reaction. Happily I (currently) fall under this case, but have been becoming more sensitive after reacting badly a few times over the last few years, because I didn't wash in time.

If you react more quickly, then soap and water are needed. If you look at the stuff and get it then it is best to avoid exposure as tolerance to poison ivy is generally lost and not gained.

Yes, I prefer Dawn or Fels Naptha for washing up after believed or known exposure.

I feel for you, and I have enjoyed my Poroso sandalwood a few times recently. It is quite nice.

Phil

 

[ladykate]

Worst case I ever saw was a friend who used a power mower to cut down a bunch of "weeds" on his property, and then piled them up, put gas on 'em, and burned them, while hanging around shirtless tending the fire.

When I was young, washing after exposure with a strong detergent always helped and, in most cases, solved the problem. As I got older, my sensitivity increased a bit. I was weed-eating a patch in my shorts and got a helluva case - blood drainage from the sores, etc. Steroids and salves stopped it but from that day on, I have to be careful. I've become sensitized.

I live in the heart of poison oak, sumac, and ivy. Lately, I've been amongst it quite a bit but I've been careful to wash and keep bare skin away from it. Seems to work for now. If I break out, I know I have to get to steroids quickly else it will cover me. My doctor is also aware and is quick to get me a prescription.

To the OP - I sympathize and know what you are going through. It will pass - somewhat quickly - but it still is a PITRA.

 

[Dusty1]

I'm not very alergic to it, but when I do get it over the counter benadryl taken orally (pills) seem to do about the best without bad side affects like prednisone. My lady who is highly alergic likes to hit the affected area with bleach, she says it is the only thing that works.

 

[_JP_]

There is a product for treating poison ivy rashes called Tecnu. It stops the itching and really shortens the life span of the rash. That stuff has worked for me many times. You can find it in any drug store or drug department in a store.

OK, my poison ivy story. We were conducting an escape and evasion exercise on the range of a military base. What this entails is one group of soldiers are the escaped prisoners who are released in the boonies behind "enemy" lines and have to navigate various checkpoints on their way to being "repatriated." The other group is the "enemy" set up along the course trying to recapture them. The exercise is conducted at dusk and well into the night

This time around I was part of the "enemy" side. In our group we had this really well built knock-out blond woman. Sometime after dark she and one of guys went missing for a couple of hours. After the exercise was over and they showed up we razed them about going off and fooling. Of course, they denied it.

Well, a few days later they both showed up with poison ivy on them in pretty much identical places on their bodies. They had it on the arms. And they also had it on their backsides. And on their stomachs, legs, and points in between. We were proved correct in our assumption of what went on that night!

Moral of the story: Be careful where you make your bed.

 

[dieselfuel79]

To the OP,

If this makes you feel at all better, rest assured in knowing that

1) you can always crack open the Proraso and enjoy the scent, even if you are unable to shave for now.
2) A Co-worker of mine is suffering from Poison Ivy too. He was looking for his golf ball in the bushes, and let's just say his shorts were maybe a little too short, and from what he told the boys at work, there's more chaffing around his....erm.....club.

 

[musicman1951]

Thanks for all the good wishes and tips - I'll try them all.