Soooo for the first time in twelve years I got poison ivy. I was really allergic when I was young and could catch it on the wind. As I got older and didn't catch it for a long time, I was sure I had outgrown this particular allergy. Then...out of nowhere was an itchy patch on my arm. I am not the camping sort and have no idea how it happened but one second itchy spot then BLAM! all up and down my arm.
Panic set in and I alcoholed the shit out of my arm. Cleaning it four times a day and putting Calamine on it constantly and I am pretty sure I have staved off a full outbreak. Lucky for me since last time it took my grandpa, mom, two nurses, and the doctor to hold me down and give me a shot in the butt (then again I was thirteen at the time). Looks like it is finally going away...for now. Hopefully never to return!
I feel your pain, when I was a kid I used to get it every summer. But since I've been an adult the only time I've gotten anything was a couple years ago clearing out some vines from our rock garden at home. I broke out in a wicked case of poison oak. Wow it was bad and I had to get a shot. Worse by a mile than poisen ivy. I have no idea why but it is.
ReplyDeleteSo learned my lesson that even though you may think you've grown out of it, you can still get it under the right circumstances. Hope you get better soon!
Oh man, that sucks! I can still remember when I got it when I was ten at church camp running arouund in the woods and how miserable I was. I also recall my Mom dousting me with that pink lotion and telling me not to scratch and taking alcohol filled baths which I was told would take away the itching; it didn't.
ReplyDeleteThat does not sound fun at all! I have never had poison ivy (knock on wood) and I hope I never do! I have really bizarre allergy reactions to some things and my luck, I would be allergic to poison ivy. Hope you get to feeling better!
ReplyDeleteI served on a summer camp staff where the Poison Ivy came in industrial strength sizes and quantities. The big stand by was a product called Felz Naptha Soap. You can still find it in some drug stores and hardware stores.
ReplyDeleteIt smells awful and will dry out your skin, but then that is the point. it drys out the rash so it doesn't spread as easily.
Ouch Bree, alcohol to it!!! Hope it goes away fast, can't believe you just caught it when it had been so long since the last time! My dad and a brother are BOTH highly allergic to it as well. EeeeK!
ReplyDeleteUgh... itching is the pits! I have a whole tub where I keep my medicines called "Itchy Stuff"... best to be prepared because when it shows up... it's aggressive. I went to the doctor today for an ailment that is just nagging me and he suggested I had SHINGLES!!! Have you seen those horrible ads on TV of the poor (and I might add "older") people who have shingles? Turns out I don't... but it sure got me thinking about getting the shingles vaccination! PS... I'm picking up some Felz Naptha Soap to add to my "Itchy" tub!
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