Uh oh. I think I could have a rash from poison ivy. There is a small area near my right elbow that is red and itchy and a spot on my left wrist underneath my watch band where I’ve scratched the skin raw.
I always thought I was not allergic. In fact I sometimes pull out poison ivy with bare hands without giving it a thought. I’ve heard that you can develop an allergy to it at any time though.
Last Thursday I spied a small patch growing under the trees near the back fence and pulled it out. I was wearing gloves but I remember the vines reaching back and rubbing against my bare arms.
Did my immunity wear off? Looks like I’m going to have to be more careful in the future.
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It sounds like you have become sensitized to the allergen of the poison ivy plant oil. This can happen even though you’ve been in contact with the oil before without breaking out with the rash. The broad name is “contact dermatitis” - an acute or chronic inflammation of the skin due to external (poison ivy oil) factors. Due to legalities (I’m an RN), what I’m supposed to do now is tell you to go to your doctor if it is severe enough that you might need some prescription meds, especially if you’ve tried over the counter meds without relief……
Uh-oh!
My husband has this reaction to poison ivy — we found a great cure — it’s prescription; called clobetisol (a gel). Don’t know if it works for everybody, but his backpack wouldn’t be without it.
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