poison ivy
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Calamine lotion (preferably clear) to keep the affected areas dry, and prescription steroids for the extreme cases. Keep in mind that "poison ivy" can be a vine, a bush or even a tree, and that the three (ivy, sumac and oak) are regional. Poison ivy tends to grow in the East and Midwest, poison sumac grows primarily in the South, as where poison oak grows only in the West.
I'm one of those people that react worse each time I come in contact with it. The last time, my doctor told me don't even bother calling him- just go straight to the hospital.
I'm one of those people that react worse each time I come in contact with it. The last time, my doctor told me don't even bother calling him- just go straight to the hospital.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Perkasie, Pa.
"Keep in mind that "poison ivy" can be a vine, a bush or even a tree, and that the three (ivy, sumac and oak) are regional. Poison ivy tends to grow in the East and Midwest, poison sumac grows primarily in the South, as where poison oak grows only in the West."
Umm.....We have all three in my neck of the woods. Especially poison Oak. It's more common then the poison ivy. I live in the Northeast. I know this for certain because I have taken some botanical courses and the instructor quized us on Flora and Fauna in the locality. Amoung them was Ivy, Oak and Sumac all of which I have become adept at identifing due to my allergic reaction to it.
Umm.....We have all three in my neck of the woods. Especially poison Oak. It's more common then the poison ivy. I live in the Northeast. I know this for certain because I have taken some botanical courses and the instructor quized us on Flora and Fauna in the locality. Amoung them was Ivy, Oak and Sumac all of which I have become adept at identifing due to my allergic reaction to it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
I was just quoting a pamphlet my doctor gave me a couple years ago. He made a big deal about people coming to him with "poiosn oak," when it doesn't even grow in this area. Maybe there are different types of poison oak?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by 1956MarkII
I was just quoting a pamphlet my doctor gave me a couple years ago. He made a big deal about people coming to him with "poiosn oak," when it doesn't even grow in this area. Maybe there are different types of poison oak?
I'm thinking it's just a BAD case of poison ivy
You know that dehydration can cause poison ivy-like symptoms?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Perkasie, Pa.
The rash reaction to poison ivy looks very different then the reaction to oak. I think oak is the worst out of the bunch. If you ask any doctor they can tell oak from ivy by the appearance of the rash.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
Here's a couple of links that may help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_oak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_oak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by bigdmizer
The rash reaction to poison ivy looks very different then the reaction to oak. I think oak is the worst out of the bunch. If you ask any doctor they can tell oak from ivy by the appearance of the rash.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
The first time I got a poison ivy reaction was actually in February, no foliage. The vine was wrapped around a tree where I was cleaning up. Even without leaves, the oils are still present, and can still cause reactions. Burning it can actually cause the oils to become airborne, getting into your lungs. That of course can be VERY bad....
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
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From: The hills of No. Calif.
As far as Poison Oak goes, (since that's the only varity I've had any experience with) it affects people to varying degrees. I don't get it much, never have even though I've lived around it most of my life. I usually gets a few bumps like mosquito bites that go away after a few days. When I was a kid, we had a friend who was completely immune to it, which he demonstrated by eating it. (BTW, if you have it around your house, get a goat. They can eat it with no ill effects.)
I've seen other people get it very bad though. One kid I knew got quite sick when his rash turned to open, oozing sores and became infected. Another got the oil on his hands, then took a leak...you can probably guess what happened after that!
I still stay away from the stuff, one's immunity can change over time.
I've seen other people get it very bad though. One kid I knew got quite sick when his rash turned to open, oozing sores and became infected. Another got the oil on his hands, then took a leak...you can probably guess what happened after that!
I still stay away from the stuff, one's immunity can change over time.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by fellro86
Burning it can actually cause the oils to become airborne, getting into your lungs. That of course can be VERY bad....
She cleaned up the backyard, cutting down all the scrub, and burning it in a barrel. Needless to say, she was not only covered on the outside with the rash, but got it in her throat/lungs breathing the smoke.
She lived. I think that says it all.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 200
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From: NW OHIO
I'm pretty allergic to poison ivy. I'll get it w/o actually touching it. Just need to be near it. I'd break out into a very severe rash and run a temperature. The rash lasting a week or longer. The past few years, I've reduced the severity quite a bit. My grandpa, used Gold Bond medicated cream on his psoriais. He suggested I try it on my poison ivy. It works pretty well. I put it on as soon as the rash starts to appear, then apply it several times a day. Longest it's lasted in several years, is a couple days. Calamine lotion and rubbing alcohol never worked as well as the Gold Bond. Just a thought......
Chris
Chris