Cynical and I are a lot of things. (For the life of me, I cannot think of one of those things, but you get the point here. . .) However, we are not gardeners or yard fiends.
So, last week I decided to break free of the non-yard people status and do a few things around our little piece of green. I weeded our tomato bed and pulled a few odd viney things out of our lilly area.
And I even cut out a small sappling that has sprung up in an attempt to overtake a bush at the side of the house.
After all was said and done, I entered the house feeling victorious. I washed up and sat a spell to revel in my new found hobby. (I know that hobby is a stretch, but I was high on yard duty adrenaline.)
And then on Saturday I noticed what I thought was a mosquito bite had multiplied, apparently mating with the spot beside it and producing lots of little baby red spots. It was apparent before long that my landscaping enthusiasm had come back to bite me in the. . . arm.
Ugh. I had gotten poison ivy a few years ago and had a horrible reaction to the steroids they shot with much pain, humiliation and burning into my behind. My hands and feet swelled. It was awful.
I decided, with my past history supporting my cause, that I'd just tough it out. I'd use a little rubbing alcohol to dry out the spots and a little cream to stop the itching.
That was all fine and good until it started spreading further, along my chest, down my arm and to my hands. And behind my ear. The very ear that I tuck my hair behind at least 1,034 times a day.
And this morning I knew it was time for the inevitable. . . I may have to call the doctor. I haven't called yet as I am fearing talk of burning steroids, shots and side effects. I am simply soliciting ideas for quick home remedies. If someone suggests rubbing hot tar all over my body, I am up for it. If it requires me to wear a purple sequened dress and dance in the lobby, I will wear it with a smile. . . anything to rid me of this itch and nasty spots.
But what's a girl to do? Poison ivy hands are not conducive for putting in contacts, applying make up and tucking hair behind ears.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
It all started out innocently enough. . .
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6 comments:
Check with your doctor to see if you are okay to take an oral antihistamine. That's what I do (in combo with Super Ivy Dry, my favorite poison ivy fighter).
I have this witch friend who can concoct an herbal salve...just kidding..sort of. she doesn't live near either of us so that'd be useless.
But you should see a doctor. But tell her beforehand that you're also allergic to the steroid. It's already Wednesday and you're still having the rashes. Sorry, not what you wanna here I know, I'm a total doctor-phobe myself, but after 3-4 days...
Good luck! Keep us informed!!
One word Zanfel. It is a pasty stuff that you rub on and into the skin and infected site for 3-4 mintues and it washes the poison Ivy away. It has worked well for me and the gang here in the past. When nothing else has. It is a little pricy, but so worth it.
I'm with Needlefingers: Benedryl or something similar could help. Poison Ivy rash is an allergic reaction so an allergy medicine will kill some of the symptoms. However, as bad as you seem to have it, the doctor may have the only thing that will really do the trick.
Oh, and oatmeal baths can help the itching from the outside. There used to be different kinds of stuff you could buy: a paper pouch of weird powder that made strange bathwater. Soothing, though.
You poor thing! Be very careful with it. Hope you get over it quickly!
Hope the poison ivy is going away...Did you go back to glasses for the time being?
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