Comments on: Thursday Thirteen - Why I HATE Poison Ivy (My 54th edition)

By: stuck_in_a_NOLA_attic

stuck_in_a_NOLA_attic — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:30:29 +0000

Your PI information is wrong. It is not contagious, doesn’t spread after the oil is all washed from the skin, and it does not get into your system. These are all old tales before we learned what PI actually was. It’s just a resin from the plant that your body over reacts to. Some parts of your body react slower making it seem like it’s spreading. After it’s on your body 2-3 hours it’s all absorbed all of the damage is already done..Nothing you can do. If you touched the plant then scratched your legs, face etc…That’s how it got there..Not because it spreading in your system.

TMS: I’ve dealt with poison ivy for over 50 years. YOU are the one who needs to check your info. Yes, the urushiol is what causes the rash. You can spread it by touching other parts of your body - IF the oil isn’t completely washed off. If poison ivy is burned, the oil can be in the smoke and if the smoke is breathed, a person can get a rash inside the nose/mouth. For a person who is highly allergic to the urushiol, however, it can become systemic. It isn’t an old tale. I’ve experienced it myself - several times. I’ve had my own physician (a highly trained and young doctor) affirm the possibility when I expressed doubt about it. The itch of a poison ivy rash is unique and readily identified.

By: Stine

Stine — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 06:06:02 +0000

Poor you! hope it goes away soon… Thanks for visiting!

By: Barb

Barb — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:57:35 +0000

I can almost look at it and have it break out! The worse case my husband and I had was with a load of firewood his Daddy cut us many years ago. We handled it, not realizing it was covered with the stuff! It does get in your system and breaks out time to time.

Check out my Thursday Thirteen

By: Laughing Muse

Laughing Muse — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 02:52:46 +0000

Gah…! I have had very few problems with poison ivy; and the most recent outbreak I was able to halt the spread by tying towels around my arms and hands at night. (Kept the oils from getting into my bedding, but also kept me from scratching.)

All in all, I’ll keep the epilepsy.

By: Nancy Bond

Nancy Bond — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:52:03 +0000

You poor thing. Poison ivy is wretched, and I agree with #13 — why does it even exist? I hope it clears up soon. Happy Easter!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 20:47:24 +0000

I’ve never had it…thank goodness. I know my Mother had it really bad as a child though.

:-) Susan

By: Angela Giles Klocke

Angela Giles Klocke — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:49:49 +0000

Poison ivy sucks — you don’t need 13 reasons, either - LOL!

TMS: You are SO right about that! However, since it was time for a Thursday Thirteen, and since poison ivy was on my mind (and all over my body), I wrote 13 reasons. LOL!

By: Kristy

Kristy — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 15:00:01 +0000

I totally feel your pain and hatred for poison ivy! I refuse to do yard work anymore b/c I get it so bad. I also have scars on my arms from previous encounters with the evil little leaves! I always follow the steriod shot and doctor prescribed creme route but for a little relief try “Domeboro”. You should be able to get it at any pharmacy. You soak white cloths in this solution and wrap them around the poison ivy places (or take a bath in it if necessary) and it helps dry the spots up quickly. Good Luck!!!

TMS: Thanks for the recommendation. I will look for it.

By: Michelle M Pillow

Michelle M Pillow — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:45:29 +0000

Ow. I feel for you.

By: carmen

carmen — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:05:20 +0000

I’ve been lucky so far to have not run into poison ivy. I hope you get something to make it all better!