[angeleyeskkhr]

So, last Sunday (not two days ago, the one before that ), my fiance, my daughter and I went to Town Lake and walked along a hike/bike trail. The trail was narrow, and my fiance has a tendency to NOT walk straight, so kept pushing to to the side (which at the time I thought was ok because we were going slow, so needed to stay right for faster paced people). Well, my hand brushed up against a poison ivy vine.

It didn't start getting bad until last Wednesday, as the blisters slowly popped up. But tomorrow will have been a week and it only seems to have continued getting worse, instead of better. Plus ever since I started using the Cortizone 10, they started weeping. Now I'm freaking out thinking they're infected (someone on another board posted about being careful it wasn't impetigo because it's contagious and I work around babies/small children).

So, now that it keeps getting worse (the SWELLING of the blisters is down, but only because the blisters have cracked and are "weeping"), so now I'm freaked out that it's infected/evolved into impetigo.

I've got to call the doctor. So much for my "good" paycheck. This will wipe it all out probably (doctor co-pay +prescription if one is prescribed). The only positive aspect is that I met my prescription deductible earlier this year with a BAD ear infection. At least...I'm pretty sure it was earlier this year (it would be just my luck if it was last year).

As much as I like walking outdoors, I'm seriously thinking nature's out to get me and wants me to stay fat.

[cab0899]

angeleyeskkhr, on Jul 17 2007, 07:46 PM, said:

So, last Sunday (not two days ago, the one before that ), my fiance, my daughter and I went to Town Lake and walked along a hike/bike trail. The trail was narrow, and my fiance has a tendency to NOT walk straight, so kept pushing to to the side (which at the time I thought was ok because we were going slow, so needed to stay right for faster paced people). Well, my hand brushed up against a poison ivy vine.

It didn't start getting bad until last Wednesday, as the blisters slowly popped up. But tomorrow will have been a week and it only seems to have continued getting worse, instead of better. Plus ever since I started using the Cortizone 10, they started weeping. Now I'm freaking out thinking they're infected (someone on another board posted about being careful it wasn't impetigo because it's contagious and I work around babies/small children).

So, now that it keeps getting worse (the SWELLING of the blisters is down, but only because the blisters have cracked and are "weeping"), so now I'm freaked out that it's infected/evolved into impetigo.

I've got to call the doctor. So much for my "good" paycheck. This will wipe it all out probably (doctor co-pay +prescription if one is prescribed). The only positive aspect is that I met my prescription deductible earlier this year with a BAD ear infection. At least...I'm pretty sure it was earlier this year (it would be just my luck if it was last year).

As much as I like walking outdoors, I'm seriously thinking nature's out to get me and wants me to stay fat.

Lurker here who thought I would give my two cents on the poison ivy. Unfortunately I'm an expert at poison ivy which has ruined many a summer for me. The weeping will last 3 to 4 weeks. I ususally have the actually blisters for about 4 months. For instance I got poison on the May long weekend this year and my sister was just commenting this evening that my legs were looking better. The worse spot (left calf) is still quite itchy and at times and if I scratch too much it will still open the blister. I'm sure it will be fall before it's completely faded. I usually used a prescribed Cortisone cream but it lasts for about two years so the family doctor usually gives me two or three jars of it and it lasts a couple of summers. I find that alot of the over the counter gels sting a little when applied but are actually better for the itch. Except for prescibing the cortisone cream (which you could use over the counter creams) the doctor can't really do anything. The disease just has to run its course you can't speed up the recovery. I would only bother going if it seems infected (and I live in Canada so doesn't cost me anything to go). Signs of infection would be if you had a fever, chills, red/painful area (beyond what the blisters are usually). I've never had an infection from poison ivy, I don't think it's too common because the weeping clears the wounds out. I do find that I get nausea the first 3 weeks and get a "burning" sensation throughout the affected area. HTH and hope you heal quickly and with few scars!! Kim

BTW the term seven year itch comes from poison ivy because once you have it, you become very prone to get each season. Make sure all shoes, clothes etc have been washed very well because the fluid from the plant will stay on things for years and you can get reaffected. For example if you get the toxin on your sandals and put them on again the next summer you will get poison ivy from your sandals.

This post has been edited by cab0899: 17 July 2007 - 09:25 PM

[angeleyeskkhr]

Thanks. The only reason I think it's infected really, is because the blisters are STILL getting worse (area wise, not height-wise), and the fluid that is "weeping" has turned to a yellowish color.

I've been using a gauze pad to cover my hand at work and washing my hands like crazy though. So I don't know why it would have gotten infected, other than that's my luck with this sort of thing.

ETA: I've been applying the cortisone-10 since I think around THursday? Maybe late Wednesday

This post has been edited by angeleyeskkhr: 17 July 2007 - 09:42 PM

[bblessed]

Oh no...sorry to hear you brushed up against poison ivy!! That is no fun at all. I got a bad case of poison oak last summer on my arms and they weeped so badly that I couldn't take it anymore and went to the doctor's office. The doctor prescribed a cream and oral medication for me. It looked worse before it got better b/c I think you can easily re-infect yourself. Be sure to wash all your towels and any clothing that may have been in contact with the ivy to get the resin out if there is any trace of it. I would also recommend not using a mesh sponge in case you have traces of the resin on the sponge when you first showered. The blisters aren't supposed to be contagious but if there is any trace of the oils on clothing or other items, you can re-infect yourself.



http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ar...#Considerations



It took me about 3-4 weeks to get rid of the poison oak rash last summer. ((((Hugs)))) and feel better soon!

[okatybug]

[angeleyeskkhr]

So I went to the doctor yesterday because it's taking up a little less than half my hand now and looks NASTY. The doc said, "No infection, no impetigo. It's just an allergic reaction," and gave me the choice between a steroid injection there in the office or 7 days of steroid pills. I took the shot. So it should clear up in a week or two.

But it's FREAKY nasty looking.

This post has been edited by angeleyeskkhr: 19 July 2007 - 12:52 PM

[Jess_jugs]

angeleyeskkhr, on Jul 19 2007, 12:51 PM, said:

So I went to the doctor yesterday because it's taking up a little less than half my hand now and looks NASTY. The doc said, "No infection, no impetigo. It's just an allergic reaction," and gave me the choice between a steroid injection there in the office or 7 days of steroid pills. I took the shot. So it should clear up in a week or two.

But it's FREAKY nasty looking.

OUCH! That sounds horrible!! I've only had poison ivy once on my leg & just a small patch was bad enough!! My dh gets it nearly every year, but he doesn't seem to be affected by it too much. His Dad on the other hand gets it terribly and always has to go in for a shot. One year he was burning some poison ivy & got it in his lungs- he said that was absolutely horrible!!

We have a lot in our back yard mainly on the back fence & on the side of our garage so I always make sure the kids stay away from it!!

Hugs,
Jess

[bblessed]

Jess_jugs, on Jul 20 2007, 10:19 AM, said:

angeleyeskkhr, on Jul 19 2007, 12:51 PM, said:

So I went to the doctor yesterday because it's taking up a little less than half my hand now and looks NASTY. The doc said, "No infection, no impetigo. It's just an allergic reaction," and gave me the choice between a steroid injection there in the office or 7 days of steroid pills. I took the shot. So it should clear up in a week or two.

But it's FREAKY nasty looking.

OUCH! That sounds horrible!! I've only had poison ivy once on my leg & just a small patch was bad enough!! My dh gets it nearly every year, but he doesn't seem to be affected by it too much. His Dad on the other hand gets it terribly and always has to go in for a shot. One year he was burning some poison ivy & got it in his lungs- he said that was absolutely horrible!!

We have a lot in our back yard mainly on the back fence & on the side of our garage so I always make sure the kids stay away from it!!

Hugs,
Jess

Jess -- Yikes about your FIL! I'm glad he is okay. I hope your FIL knows now that he should NEVER ever burn poison ivy or poison oak!! It sounds pretty dangerous if you do it...



http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ar...27.htm#Do%20Not



Do Not Return to top

• DO NOT touch skin or clothing that still have the resins.
  
• DO NOT burn poison ivy, oak, or sumac to get rid of it. The resins can be spread via smoke, and can cause severe reactions in people who are far downwind.

[angeleyeskkhr]

Jess_jugs, on Jul 20 2007, 09:19 AM, said:

angeleyeskkhr, on Jul 19 2007, 12:51 PM, said:

So I went to the doctor yesterday because it's taking up a little less than half my hand now and looks NASTY. The doc said, "No infection, no impetigo. It's just an allergic reaction," and gave me the choice between a steroid injection there in the office or 7 days of steroid pills. I took the shot. So it should clear up in a week or two.

But it's FREAKY nasty looking.

OUCH! That sounds horrible!! I've only had poison ivy once on my leg & just a small patch was bad enough!! My dh gets it nearly every year, but he doesn't seem to be affected by it too much. His Dad on the other hand gets it terribly and always has to go in for a shot. One year he was burning some poison ivy & got it in his lungs- he said that was absolutely horrible!!

We have a lot in our back yard mainly on the back fence & on the side of our garage so I always make sure the kids stay away from it!!

Hugs,
Jess

Everything I've read said not to burn poison ivy as the oil stays in the smoke and can cause a rash on anything it touches. I hope he learned his lesson!