An Itch to Scratch
All those times that I was standing in Poison Ivy and Martha would tell me to look out. Nothing ever happened. All those times Martha would end up itching and scratching so much from the slightest contact. Well, my years of impunity finally caught up. I don't know that it was actually Poison Ivy. Poison Oak, Poison Sumac. Poison something. It showed up last week after a ride. Butch thought he had a little too. A barely noticeable patch on my knee. Then a couple days later it moved to the other knee. Hmmm. Then just a hint on my shin. By the time I got some Benadryl to put on it, it had spread and intensified. When I put the Benadryl on it, it enflamed. Why? I don't know. What I do know is that it itched so bad last night I could barely think.
Went to the Health Center today. They couldn't say any better than I what it was. Probably Rhus dermatitis, the catch all for the family of irritant plants something something. They did say that we would be treating it aggressively and so I am. Steroid cream, steroid pills, Benadryl pills in the evening. I got the gamut. And you, Martha my dear, have a free "I told you so." Just don't rub it in. It itches too much.
posted by mombok at 5:05 PM
4 Comments:
That sux Dave. Sorry to hear that. Poison oak, ivy and sumak all secrete oils that cause the symptoms. If you wash with soap and water, it may actually spread it. So if you suspect you got into some, the best thing is a peanut butter bath. Seriously. Something that will bind with the oil and prevent it from spreading and hopefully remove it from your skin with minimal exposure.
So using the spongy underside of the leaf to wipe off the oils was a bad move? You could have told me that while I was waiting for photos in the bushes downtrail from you that night. I will have to try the PB next time. Chunky or Smooth?
I recently had super bad poison oak,
all over my arms and legs.
super bad,
two weeks of hell
it's got the oposite effect of tollerance,
you hit it once, no problem,
but time and time again, then Bam,
Jesse can sence it up to like 20 ft now cuz he'z delt with it so much out at platte,
now with my dealings with it at wilderness. I'm super sensitive.
now you too
are one with the force,
you will be able to sence it's presence....
learn well young jedi..
mine went away with no treatment other than massive amounts of thc in my system.
Now thats a cure i can get behind.
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