I am covered in bumps and wholly guilty of not taking care of myself when I had the chance. Was doing serious yardwork this weekend, and I know it’s poison oak.
Question is, how long to I have to wait until it stops itching?
BTW, highest probability is around upper shin.
Daniel
Ah yes, the famous “Fishy Oak” of the Breton Coast. Francois would be homesick.
But Poison Oak, that’s a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Don’t itch, use a topical skin treatment like Calamine Lotion or similar. There’s tons of info on the WWW. Google Poison Oak and you will get lots of good advice.
Normally, the irritation clears up in about 10 days. Follow the directions on the lotion and you’ll be good.
10 Days… dang… well such is life.
Thanks,
Daniel
It may not be too late to use TechNu (available at any drugstore) to help dry up the condition. Usually you can use TechNu immediately after exposure and it will wash away the oils that cause the allergic reaction, but even after the reaction sets in, TechNu can often help dry out the skin so it’s not so bad.
Of course, if it gets REALLY bad your dermatologist and Prednisone are your best friends!
Good luck!
Oh, it’s not that bad. I haven’t even begun proper itch management yet and I got it on saturday, started itching yesterday. I just needed someone to tell me how long I need to mentally prepare myself for 
Thanks!
Daniel
oh, sorry to say but I think the worst is yet to come! You’ll start discovering more spots, I’m sure! I also recommend Tech-Nu, stuff works well! If I recall you can get it in a spray and everytime I was itchy I’d spray away!
Having been exposed to a lot of Poison Ivy when I was in the Army (low-crawling in the woods at night makes it hard to avoid the stuff), I tend to get a pretty good reaction upon minor exposure now. I have had quick results with the following products:
Zanfel (on the expensive side but provides near instantaneous relief/results): http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100950&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod1054021
Alternately, if Zanfel is to pricey try Technu Extreme: http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100950&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod1385962
Run do not walk to the Doc in the box and get a steroid shot and some Prednisone…