I've always been super sensitive to poison ivy, but as I've gotten older this sensitivity has seriously escalated....to a maddening state. I can truly say that I am extremely allergic to poison ivy because not only do I suffer from the typical bumps, welts and itching in the area exposed to the plant, but the toxins eventually travel all throughout my body and cause horribly itchy, swollen rashes and a fever.
I debated whether to post these photos and even talk about my poison ivy ordeal, but it's been so dibilatating this past week and I've been unable to even sit at the computer for more than 10-15 mins at a time before the discomfort drives me batty.
So, I've not been doing much posting, besides the awards, and I've not been outside or in the barn much either because the heat and the feeling of crawling flies makes it so much worse.
So besides sitting out with my chickens in the cooler evenings or spending a few minutes with my horse grooming her or picking out her feet, I haven't had many photo opportunities or anything interesting to blog about.
So here's a little of what I've been dealing with lately......
This was taken last Thursday, during the oozy, icky stage.
This was taken on Sunday, the day after the horse show. I ended up getting a terrible rash from the tape I used to wrap my leg so I could attend the horse show. Either I'm allergic to the adhesive in the tape or something else. But it was an extremely uncomfortable 3-4 days afterwards. Benadryl wasn't even much help.
This photo was taken 2 days ago. This is a spot on the back of my leg which has been really uncomfortable because it gets hot and moist back there and makes it difficult to bend my leg because of the rash and thickening and tightness of the skin as it heals.
Hey! Look! It's Zorro! This picture was taken today. The ooziness is gone, but the skin is rather bumpy, thick and still very itchy. As this area heals the toxins seem to be carried throughout my body and I end up in maddening bouts of itching anywhere on my skin: between my fingers, all over my torso, my arms, my thighs, my earlobes, and even my scalp.
It's absolutely insane! At times I think someone should just wrap me up in a backwards white suit and toss me into a padded cell! So, if I haven't been posting much....now you know why.
16 comments :
Geez oh man that just sucks. Hope it goes away RIGHT NOW.
OMG.....Bless your heart.
It does look like it is getting better.
I bet you have felt like crap.
I hope you continue to heal...
That is horrible. My middle daughter is also extremely allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. She was so bad that it traveled from her leg and kept on until it reached her face. She was literally covered from head to toe in the end and completely miserable. I finally took her to the doctor and he gave her an antihistamine shot and had said that it had become internalized. It still took a couple of days but it got better. Wicked stuff.
We use Tecnu Wash just as soon as we notice that we have come in contact with the plant. It takes the oils off the skin and helps prevent it from spreading further. It does help if you use it in time....So sorry you are suffering.
Ooohhh you poor thing. Are you sure it was poison ivy? That looks like the time I had sumac. Swollen and awful. The only thing that took away the horrid itch was to run it under the hottest water I could stand, the pain gets almost unbearable then turns to sweet sweet relief, at least for a short time.
My girl gets hives when she has a reation to latex, bandaids, swimsuits, etc... have you had problems before?
I think between you, ceecee, danni and I, we are having an awful time of it and it needs to end soon.
Sending good thoughts your way.
Oh LIsa, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I read a very interesting article about poison ivy just yesterday.
Certainly something to pass along to you.
"It should be noted that use of topical antihistamines like Benadryl cream, benzocaine and other numbing creams, and antibiotic creams with neomycin or bacitracin should be avoided at all costs. They often cause further allergic reactions and make your skin condition worse. Oral antihistamines tablets do not cause the same reaction."
He (Dr. Bobb) also points out that the barrier cream, Ivy Block, really does work.
Goodness, I hope you get some relief. Take lots of cool, oatmeal baths.
Oh, you poor, poor thing...I'm feeling for you. You must be half out of your mind from this by now...everyone can tolerate a certain amount of discomfort and pain, but when it drags on and on and on...it is torturous. I wish I could do something to take it all away. But I do agree with another commenter, it *does* look like it's beginning to get better.
Sending you all my quick healing thoughts and energy...danni
Twin, my wife, Betty, has exactly the same reaction where it goes throughout her body from the original exposure site. She has our family doctor prescribe prednisone that she keeps with her any time we go anywhere that she might get exposed. It's a steroid pill, but it really works for her and it's the only thing that has worked.
Get well.
Dan
Oh you poor thing! Logan's was so mild compared to that, except the whole having his eye swollen shut. Luckily he is all better. I hope you are better soon.
You poor thing, that looks awful and itchy and miserable. Have you gone to a doctor, they may have something to help, like a shot or cream?
Oh how AWFUL!!!
Thankfully, we do not have any of that nasty stuff up here in WA. It sounds like you better be really, extra, super, careful, not to get in to that stuff again!
Notice how I have refrained from writing it's cursed name down? I did that for you :)
I don't want you to read the name and start itching all over again...speaking of itching...I better be quiet!!
What an ordeal! All that for simply brushing past a plant. I don't have much experience with poison ivy other than I know you're supposed to put Calamine lotion on it. My brother fell in a poison ivy bush when we were kids, and he was a mess for several weeks. I was so young and impressionable that I had him show me the bush and I went way out of my way to avoid any bush that looked even similar to poison ivy. I'm terrified of it. Hope you heal soon.
I am sorry you have been so miserable. I hope you get better soon. That looks so painful. That just proves that exercise isn't what it's cracked up to be.
OH dear, I hope you are on the mend! I have never encountered poison ivy. We have nettles and I see them on our trail rides and manage to avoid them, they cause welts that itch and sting.
Hang in there!! We understand why you aren't posting as much, get yourself well, we'll be here!
Ooow! I feel for you. A friend is a nurse and her hospital recommends hydrocordozone cream. I've used it with good results. Good luck. Lisa too.
Oh, man!! I miss a couple days on the computer and look what happened while I was gone :( Yeeesh, girl, have you found any way to get relief? Take care of yourself...we'll pray for this to start healing and to go away...poor thing!
7MSN, Jamie, EggHead, SugarCreek Stuff, CeeCee, Farmgirl DK, Dan & Betty, Christy, Grey Horse Matters, Knutsons, Nuzzling Muzzles, GoatGirl,Pony Girl, Lisa Brown, Robbyn,
THANK YOU to ALL of you for the many well wishes, prayers, advice and personal story sharing.
I am VERY MUCH appreciative to ALL of you.
I know a few of you mentioned getting a shot to end the effects of the poison ivy, but that's a no-go. I'm terrified of needles.
Hey Egghead, let me know where you buy Tecnu Wash. That sounds like good stuff to keep around while hiking.
Dan, I will ask my Dr. about keeping some prednisone pills on hand. The poison ivy itself isn't so bad, as Betty probably can attest to. It's when it gets internalized and spreads under the skin all over the body. Feels like worms slithering under your skin!
CeeCee, I'll hvae to check out the Ivy Block. Is it over-the-counter?
Once again, I just want to say thank you to everyone who left comments for me. I read them all and was very touched to know you all care.
The poison ivy is mostly gone now, but I'm still itchy under the skin in a few places. I went riding today for the first time in almost 2 weeks and it was such a positive experience and great to be active and 'normal again :)
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