Thursday 6 July 2017

Poison ivy – again

With all this rain, new leaves have been growing all over. Usually, by now, the forest is dryer than it has been these past two months.

I've been fighting poison ivy (or poison oak!), for two months. I tried using my Rx cream, but it didn't eradicate it. The cream worked last year, when I only had a spot or two, but this year it keeps erupting with painful, itchy boils are forming on my hands and lower legs.

I broke down, my doctor saw me the same day I phoned, June 20th. Hooray for Canadian healthcare. He gave me an ointment, a little stronger than last time. The prednisone pills are hard on the stomach.

Common and Rare Side Effects for Prednisone Oral - WebMD


I was at my wit's end, however. You can see, from the photos at the bottom, how it spreads if it isn't kept under control. I went into Perth ER,  and happy people were in there, working on July 1st, Canada Day.

In and out in 29 minutes. It was a quiet day, and staff were great.
As is the case, it had many people who were working on

#Canada150

 Bless their hearts!

I knew it would happen. My Canada Day is now complete! pic.twitter.com/eidqsR7iUq
— alan drummond (@alandrummond2) July 1, 2017

2017-01-01 Prednisone, 50 mgs  @ 7 days = 350mg. Feeling pretty woozy.

I am over the worst, nearly done my drugs. Thank goodness.


What I have learned is that Virginia Creeper is a good indicator for poison ivy. They inhabit similar habitat, wetland forest. Leave of three, let them be, for sure. But the 5 leaves on the Virginia Creeper fooled me until I caught on to it. Then there are the young raspberry plants. They start with three leaves, but grow on long stems.

2011

The last photo of this set, is the huge area I first tackled in 2011. My mistake? Not throwing out the gloves I used. I ripped out a garbage bag full of vines. Then, set the gloves aside. I used them to stack wood. It spread on my arms, and to my belly. I was a mess. That was a nightmare.

Both Daisy and Dorah manage to find the poison ivy! Or oak. Whatever.





I first contracted it in July, 2011. With each infestation, it gets worse in me. 
July => OCT. 2011: The open boils spread onto other areas if unchecked. The doctors couldn't figure out what it was, at first. The first one, July, 2011, was minor. After that, in September, it was back.

Poison Ivy and contact dermatitis





8 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

So, this is the initial infestation returning every year? I remember once in my youth, when I git it, that it could return for 7 years. Maybe it was true although it didn't happen to me or others that I have known. I hope it settles down soon for you.

eileeninmd said...

Oh my, I hope you heal quickly. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Olga said...

That looks like misery. My brother has had that worsening effect with each exposure. A friend of mine was told she probably got it from petting her dog so be mindful of the kitties.

William Kendall said...

Ouch! I've never had a problem with it.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I can't take any of those heavy drugs, so I don't envy you that. Glad to hear it is on the mend and that you had such good care... YAM xx

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Your poison ivy effects look truly awful and the pain, itch and overall discomfort must drive you to distraction. I have been fortunate never to have experienced it and more due to good luck than by careful observation. I know what it looks like but I have so often wandered off following a bird that it's a wonder I haven't barged into it. Let's hope my luck continues.

Sue (this n that) said...

Oh my goodness, dear Jenn - I imagined it was bad but it's a terrible thing. Thanks for the explanation about it all and those photos of your poor body.

Thankfully you have a good healthcare system as we do in Australia.

I'm amazed at how easily it spreads too, from the simple act of not throwing out the previously used gardening gloves... wow.

Anyway, hope you're more comfortable by now xx

Red said...

Thank God we don't have much poison ivy here. that looks painful. I hope it clears up soon.