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Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated)
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Got it on Saturday, and last night it started getting itchy. Today, oh yeah, we're there: Itchytown, USA! Population ME!

I had some Caladryl at home, but was going to go to the grocery store to get something else, any recommendations?
Last edited by: Tridiot: Apr 18, 12 7:14
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Sounds wacky, but run hot water over the arms (check temp to ensure you won't burn yourself). In about 20-30 seconds it will start to itch even more. Keep the water running and in a minute or so the itching will subside and last quite a while. This was my go to a few years ago when I had it on my legs.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Don't scratch your arms and then take a pee without washing your hands first!
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Post Poison Ivy there are several "Non itch" products that are similar to Calamine that work. I prefer some of the tube ones because they aren't as liquid as the ones in the bottle and seem to not get all over the place as easily.

Other than that, learn to not scratch.

If you're around the stuff at all I would strongly suggest getting the anti poison ivy soap. I make it a habit to take a shower pretty much right after anytime I'm doing any serious yard work these days and wash with this stuff.

It's ALL OVER the place in my yard and in the field etc. I could be pulling weeds out of the flower beds and end up with it all over my hands because I didn't see a small plant of it.

~Matt
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Oakasm...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Oakasm

Chris
*********************
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson,
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Smil'n Hawaiian] [ In reply to ]
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It's not cheap, but pick up some over the counter Zanfel cream. It does wonders regardless of the stage of the reaction. You can usually find it at Walmart, Walgreens, or others in the pharmacy for around $40/tube.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Everyone is giving you some good advice. You might consider stopping by your doc and seeing if you can get a predisone script. That usually takes care of it in 2 or 3 days (but you still have to finish the dose pack).

Benadryl helps too.

Bernie

______________
"Slowbern has always made astute observations."-Casey 03/10/2009
2013-2014 Detroit Lions---13-3 until proved otherwise.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [slowbern] [ In reply to ]
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slowbern wrote:
Everyone is giving you some good advice. You might consider stopping by your doc and seeing if you can get a predisone script. That usually takes care of it in 2 or 3 days (but you still have to finish the dose pack).

Benadryl helps too.

Bernie

This: steroids. I used topical corticosteroid cream (2% or whatever) last time I had it, and that worked better than anything else.

----------------------------------
"Go yell at an M&M"
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [slowbern] [ In reply to ]
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It's gotten worse from this morning to now, so I might be heading down the prescription path...

Need to put some gauze to stop it from spreading more too. Ooof.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Predisone will clear it up the fastest, but for such a small area may not be worth it.

Let it run its course.

"I really wish you would post more often. You always have some good stuff to say. I copied it below just in case someone missed it." BarryP to Chainpin on 10/21/06

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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [chainpin] [ In reply to ]
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What if I'm at about 60-70% of each forearm being covered?
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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I get it BAD so I know how you feel. Prescription of prednisone would be my advice if you have that much. Remember, the ozzing stuff does not contain any of the volitile oils, you can't spread it. Once you wash off the oil, the rest is just your body fluids as your system fights the invander.


Dave Stark
dreamcatcher@astound.net
USAC & USAT level 2 certified coach
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [chainpin] [ In reply to ]
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chainpin wrote:
Predisone will clear it up the fastest, but for such a small area may not be worth it.

Let it run its course.

Agreed, usually I let it run its course. Hot water trick works good for an hour or so.

Last week I had it in my eye and it swole up. I did get the prednisone this time and it has been much less itchy. Instead of buying the expensive packs, my doc gives me script for 10mg pills to take varing numbers each day. First day 3, then 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1. That works out to about $2.50 vs a $30 copay for the packs.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [klehner] [ In reply to ]
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klehner wrote:
slowbern wrote:
Everyone is giving you some good advice. You might consider stopping by your doc and seeing if you can get a predisone script. That usually takes care of it in 2 or 3 days (but you still have to finish the dose pack).

Benadryl helps too.

Bernie


This: steroids. I used topical corticosteroid cream (2% or whatever) last time I had it, and that worked better than anything else.

Yep. Topical cortisone cream if it's contained to a few discreet areas, oral steroids if it's widespread. Everything else is just window dressing.

The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [sphere] [ In reply to ]
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The biggest issue with poison ivy is keeping it off gloves, boots, tools, etc.

Last summer I kept getting mild ivy itch on my face after gong to our getaway house (probalby from putting in contacts, etc.), even on weekends when I didn't work outside, so it was definitely on something that I was touching, so I wiped down all door knobs, threw away gloves and cleaned the handles on all the tools with Technu and I didn't have any problems.

I had a friend that had it all over and infested his sleeping bag with it, and he got it bad about three times after until he figured out the cause, but the kicker is he washed the bg and then tried it again and sure enough he got it again.

He threw the bag out in the end.

"I really wish you would post more often. You always have some good stuff to say. I copied it below just in case someone missed it." BarryP to Chainpin on 10/21/06

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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [chainpin] [ In reply to ]
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Good point: Do I need to ditch the work gloves I had on this weekend? I washed them, but...
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Big fan of soaking the affected area in epsom salt water. Had it really bad awhile back all over my body while living in Boston. Would take the subway to the beach during my lunch break and took AM/PM epsom salt baths. Cleared it right up w/o drugs.

__________________________________________________________________
Eat right. Get lots of sleep. Drink plenty of fluids. Go like Hell.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [chainpin] [ In reply to ]
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My neighbor got it on his jeans and then spread it into his pickup seat.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Smil'n Hawaiian] [ In reply to ]
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LMAO!!! That was the best! Explains many of my hot showers over the years while covered in poison oak!

I'm deathly allergic to poison oak. I swear I can ride by it on my mountain bike at 20 mph and still get it. To get over it I also get the 2% cream and absolutely have to get the pred steroids. Awhile back at an adventure race I was introduced to a product called Tecnu. I tried it after a race up in the Folsom area where we slogged through tons of poison oak. After the race we wiped ourselves down with Tecnu and it was money! No poison oak. You can get it at most of the mainstream drug stores. Since using this stuff, I've seldom had it and when I have it, it is generally in the areas I didn't wipe down with the Tecnu. I was told you can use this stuff on your clothes too, but I just wash 'em right after the exposure.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [slowbern] [ In reply to ]
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slowbern wrote:
Everyone is giving you some good advice. You might consider stopping by your doc and seeing if you can get a predisone script. That usually takes care of it in 2 or 3 days (but you still have to finish the dose pack).

Benadryl helps too.

Bernie

This. Cold will help alleviate the itch somewhat, but ice can damage the skin so cool wash cloths.
You can also try a tepid bath in baking soda, but it is a temporary fix as well.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Tridiot wrote:
What if I'm at about 60-70% of each forearm being covered?

My wife had it over about 90% of her legs. She had blisters on her blisters. Scare young children kind of grossness. We were on vacation and were at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. She hears a little girl ask her mom, "Mommy, what's wrong with that lady's legs, is that what leprosy looks like?"

4 weeks of prednisone to clear it up. As time went on it got worse and worse and she just kept breaking out in new places. When she went to the doctor he gasped, "Oh my god, are you sure that is poison ivy? And do you mind if I bring in some students because I've never seen a case like this."

The gloves are probably fine if you washed them. The reaction is caused by an oil that can be washed off. But for most people who have a reaction you have to wash it off in the first few minutes.

I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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FYI - Since you know you get it bad, I would suggest you try a product called "ivy block". Its a skin protectant that basically seals your pours a bit to prevent absorbtion. I tried it for the first time at the American river 50 mile run last weekend where we were brushing up against poison oak all day long, it was completely unavoidable. When I finished, I wiped myself down with cold water and a clean towel. Not a lick of PO. I showered with tons of soap within about an hour of crossing the finish line. This time I did not use Technu, like I usually do, because I left it at home. I'm a beleiver in the Ivy Block now for sure.

Dave


Dave Stark
dreamcatcher@astound.net
USAC & USAT level 2 certified coach
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Ya gotta get the urushiol oil off. May be a little late but this is the ticket. http://www.teclabsinc.com/...poison-oak-ivy/tecnu
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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I'm so allergic to poison ivy I am suddenly feeling itchy from reading this thread...
Last edited by: ziptied: Apr 16, 12 12:12
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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We've had it crop up in our yard several times over the years; couple times I was just careless and got it directly, other times I'm pretty sure I got it second-hand from something else that had been contaminated. If it's just on arms/legs, the hot water trick is awesome (it's as if it boils out several hours' worth of evil all at once), and the topical creams are also helpful, plus you can cover them up with some sort of dressing to soak up the ooze and keep the mess off your clothes, sheets, etc.

However, one time when I hadn't realized I'd come in contact until it was way too late, I'd already taken a normal hot shower and unknowingly spread it all over so once the outbreak began I knew where it was headed. Ho-Lee Shit was that bad... got it all over my junk and everything (flashing it to the semi-hot female intern working the urget care clinic was about the only enjoyable part of the whole ordeal). I attempted the hot water trick afterwards in the shower, but simply couldn't endure it no matter how tough I tried to steel myself, and ended up going in for the Prednisone Rx. Since gotten it again on the extremities and the Rx isn't really worth it if you can get the affected area into the sink.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [SinkCrashBonk] [ In reply to ]
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Tecnu is great, but Dawn dishsoap works well too.

---------------------------------------
Awww, Katy's not all THAT evil. Only slightly evil. In a good way. - JasoninHalifax

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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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HTFU, MFER!

Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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the good news is as long as you've washed your arms etc it won't spread. Scratching it won't make is spread. It's the oil on the plant that causes the reaction. And if you wash it off it won't spread. So scratch away and pee without worry

And wash everything you wore. even the shoes if you can. The oils stays around a while.

next time it happens it might be worse. It's one of those things where the reaction can increase w/ every exposure.
Last edited by: SpicedRum: Apr 16, 12 16:49
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Duffy] [ In reply to ]
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I am sooooo trying. I have weirdly big forearms (I should have been a plumber), but I'm far past Popeye at this point with the swelling etc.

Buy stock in Calladryl :-)
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Oh, dude, if it's swelling you might need a cortisone shot. There's rash (red, bumpy, ooze if you scratch it then turns to scab) and then there's swelling. If you're puffing up like a balloon, or worse, like Popeye you may want to go to a doctor.

I grew up with poison oak in my back yard and myself, my brother and my sister all had some sort of rash from it pretty much throughout our childhoods. Now that we're adults my brother, when exposed gets a normal reaction. My sister gets all puffed up and it can be bad if she gets on her face/neck, as in she can't breathe and has to go to the ER (a friend of mine is the same way (when we go on a hike and he gets it you can watch it transform his body into a splotchy elephant man (it's awesome))). I on the other hand do not react to it at all anymore. Total immunity. I can roll around in the stuff all day long and not an itch. Lucky.

Keep an eye on it. Have a housemate keep an eye on you as well. Did the swelling come on fast? If so go to a doctor.

Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Duffy] [ In reply to ]
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I think I'll be ok. It's not too bad. But the puffiness is on!

I'm walking in to see my dr tomorrow in case. I think tomorrow is going to suck. I had a bad time with a bee sting this past summer so i don't think I should mess around.

Looking back I think I had mega direct contact. More spots on my legs and hands and maybe face are showing up.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [Duffy] [ In reply to ]
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You are very lucky. I had the exact opposite experience with poison ivy. Up untl I was about 20 or 21 I could practically roll in the stuff without any reaction. Now, I seemingly can't even look at it without getting a rash.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [bm] [ In reply to ]
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My sister has to go to the ER if she's exposed. Go figure. Raised in the same poison oak filled environment and ended up with the opposite effect.

FWIW, I share no genetics with my siblings (who share none with each other). We're all adopted from different sets of biological parents.

Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Went to the Dr yesterday, and boy am I glad I did. Her reaction upon seeing my arms was "Oh no."

LOTS of fluid buildup, my arms feel heavier and are noticeably bigger (I have oddly big forearms to begin with, I resemble Popeye now).

Oral steroid, topical steroid, claritin, and ibuprofen.


The steroid seems to be working, the itching is minimal (maybe gone?) and I feel REALLY GOOD (steroids rock!). I also think I'm going to be really hungry all the time while on this. 14 day cycle.
Last edited by: Tridiot: Apr 18, 12 7:17
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? [reutebh] [ In reply to ]
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reutebh wrote:
Sounds wacky, but run hot water over the arms (check temp to ensure you won't burn yourself). In about 20-30 seconds it will start to itch even more. Keep the water running and in a minute or so the itching will subside and last quite a while. This was my go to a few years ago when I had it on my legs.

^^^ This ^^^ As hot and as long as you can stand it. Every night before bed, and every morning before work. Provided up to 8 hours of relief for me, I had it all over.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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does it look like this?


Chris
*********************
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson,
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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I was always paranoid about getting it as a young guy since I played in the woods a lot and I know I came in contact with it regularly. Even now when doing more primitive walking I see all over the place. But never had a reaction. Lucky I guess.


"In the world I see you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Towers. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying stripes of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway." T Durden
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Smil'n Hawaiian] [ In reply to ]
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Not as many large bubbles, but yes. And more of it. On both forearms.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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Those roids will knock it right down. Good luck. Now you know.

Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [TheForge] [ In reply to ]
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But never had a reaction. Lucky I guess.

I believe something like 30% of the population does not react to that particular family.

I was so allergic of it as a kid that I didn't have to touch it, just breath the wrong air, and I'd get it. I ended up going thru a couple years of some sort of desensitization shots.

The first time I got I woke up in the morning with it coming out of my nose and around my mouth....that sucked.

My brother once tore into a huge "Vine" growing up the back side of his house....ooooppppss. He was seriously hurting status for a couple weeks. He had a similar "coming out of the nose" reaction.

I had an uncle that was in the national guard. They were doing one of their "Weekend trainings". They were in the woods. He went out to take a dump, grabbed some "leaves" and wiped...he got to go home the next day :-)

~Matt


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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [MJuric] [ In reply to ]
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That is something I never realized until I was older. Those silly vines with the hair on them were poison ivy. I used to yank them off my house and trees and use them as ropes to play indiana jones. I guess I didn't react to it, that could have been bad.


"In the world I see you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Towers. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying stripes of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway." T Durden
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [TheForge] [ In reply to ]
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Those silly vines with the hair on them were poison ivy.

Or some other vine. There are several that look similar, some are not poison ivy.

~Matt


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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [MJuric] [ In reply to ]
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That is true, but the saying goes, if the vine has hair be scared. Those things always are kind of stupid.


"In the world I see you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Towers. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying stripes of venison on the empty car pool lane of some abandoned superhighway." T Durden
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [TheForge] [ In reply to ]
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That is true, but the saying goes, if the vine has hair be scared. Those things always are kind of stupid.

And the "Leaves of three" is not true either. Leaves of three, hairy vine combo is pretty close to "Keep you're arse away" though :-)

~Matt

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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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I had a case of poison oak that became a staff infection, sort of looked like that picture, but more and on both arms. Ended up in the hospital, where they gave me some killer antibiotic, felt better almost immediately. Anyway, for two weeks the doctors kept swearing it was just poison oak, finally went to another Dr and he was the one that sent me to the emergency room. Just FYI, if it doesn't get better with the steroids.
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Re: Any tips on treating some poison ivy I have on my forearms? (updated) [Tridiot] [ In reply to ]
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I've always done the epsom salt baths and lots of swimming to dry it out. Like others, I'll get it if I ride by at 20mph. Haven't had any huge outbreaks in a while though.
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