[MR] ingested poison ivy

[Gina Shelley]

I am, unfortunately, way more experienced in anything Rhus (the botanical family that Poison Oak and Poison Ivy belong to...I am allergic to it all, even cashews.)than I would like to be. I am extremely hypersensitive to that plant family. 

 

I think what you experienced with it "spreading" was caused most probably by your salt bath. Or simply that you broke out in one area before you broke out in another. Or even that you re-contaminated yourself with contaminated clothing or tools or even an invisible handprint you left on something before you washed it all off. 

 

If you had ingested it, you would probably have it all over your mouth or possibly had an anaphylactic reaction. 

 

If you get into a bathtub full of hot water before you wash off, what is going to happen is all that urushiol (the oil that causes the rash) is going to  float off your skin and get all over your naked body in the bath. Since your pores are now open from the hot water, it can really get a good foothold in your skin. 

 

All you need to wash off urushiol is some good cold water. You can take a hot shower, but do NOT do it before getting a cold one. Cold  water floats away most of it, and the hot will take care of any that might have seeped into your pores. You can rinse off with a garden hose before going into your house to be safe, then strip right inside the door and toss your clothes outside. Treat them like they are toxc waste until you can launder them. Rinse off your shoes and clothes in cold water. Wipe off the doorknob and the water faucets. (I am not kidding, it is that spreadable). 

 

It would not hurt to take a little antihistamine if you know you have been exposed or will be exposed. Even if you don't have any symptoms. 

 

I have had good luck with IvyBlock and Technu. Ivy Block creates a seal over your skin to buy you some time before you have to wash to avoid a rash (great for me since I am so sensitive) and Technu helps you wash off the oil (which you can do with a water bottle if you our in the field somewhere and cant get to a shower...use the Technu and then just rinse off with your canteen. Works.) 

 

As for treatment, I would not recommend draining the blisters. Blisters protect your skin with a sterile fluid. The last thing you want on top of all this mess is a secondary infection. 

 

What I do to kill the itch is to scald my skin in water that is pretty much right at the threshold of what I can stand. I either hold a hand sprayer or soak in a scalding hot tub till the itch stops. If it sounds horrible, it is. However, if you have ever had poison ivy rash, you would know this treament is not as horrible suffering the untreated itch. If you can tough out the scald, you will get a good eight to twelve hours of itch relief. Meaning you can sleep. You can enhance this by taking a painkiller, as it will kill itch also. 

 

Prednisone is your friend. If you start having a reaction like rash popping up all over, or you start having trouble breathing, go on and get the shot, it is nearly instant relief. 

 

I find that calamine lotion, cool baths, or oatmeal is pretty much worthless. Hot water, topical and oral antihistamines, and painkillers work great, at least for me. 

 

Know your plants and have fun this summer, 

Dulcy

 

 

 

 
 		 	   		  
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