Poison Ivy - Cincinnati, OH

Updated on October 06, 2007
K.S. asks from Cincinnati, OH
9 answers

I have a question about Poison Ivy. My sister has had poision ivy for 1 month now, and it has not been relieved by anything she has been taking. she has been to 3 different doctors, and tried the following....steroids,claritin, benadryl, water pills, 3 different antibiotics, and an antibiotic shot, with no relief. She has also been to the ER, and they were of no help, and tried all kinds of different baths. She keeps breaking out and her feet are huge with swelling. I am very worried about her and was just wondering if anyone had any advice on where she can go next or is this normal. She is totally miserable, and I worry especially about the swelling. Her dr is not helping either, he just changes her antibiotic and tells her "good luck". I know, what a jerk! Any advice would be great. Thanks.

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So What Happened?

Well....after months of no relief, and not being able to get into a dermotologist until December, my sister finally just learned to deal with the break outs. Then, she started taking a medication (Welbutrin) again, and all of a sudden it cleared up. It is totally gone, and very minimal scarring. It is truly amazing how medicines work. I will continue to be astonished by the affects of medication. Just when you think you have tried everything you can think of, here comes an unexpected medication that you normally take, that cures your ailment. Or, in my case, you take a medication to cure an ailment, and it almost kills you (allergic reaction). Oh..the joys of life!!! :)

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K.M.

answers from Dayton on

My sister has the same problem when she gets it. She is allergic to it. You need to find a different doctor and get her on steroids and antibotics, I know youy said that she has been on them. But find a good doctor and tell them all about it. My sisters got so bad the first time that it git in her blood stream they almost had to put her in the hosp. SHE sees dr perez of premed phsycians I hope that helps.... Goood luck

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M.R.

answers from Toledo on

This does NOT sound like poison ivy unless she keeps getting into it outside. You do not keep breaking out in different places after the first few days. If you read about it online, poison ivy is a local reaction to the oil. You break out ONLY where the oil touches your skin. It does NOT spread if the blisters break open etc...

I would recommend finding out the REAL reason she is breaking out. It really doesn't sound like poison ivy.

Blessings.
M.

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J.K.

answers from Toledo on

This exact same thing happened to me! It was an absolute nightmare. I was actually pulling weeds on the day I was due for my now 12 month old daughter. In a few days I was induced and noticed a blister like breakout on my knee. I let is go and it only got worse. My doctor told me it was scabies, so I used the body cream. The next morning it was all over my arms and legs. (Breastfeeding was very uncomfortable!) The itching drove me almost mad, so I went to the ER. They didn't even know what it was, so they gave me a steroid. That didn't work either, so I went to a dermatologist. I took steroids and cream for about 3 months. After seven months, it finally disipated out of my body. Even now, I still have some skin issues.
I would suggest that your sister see a dermatologist. I wish I would have seen mine a lot earlier. I feel for her. It was probably one of the worst situations in my entire life. Have her tell them it is urgent and she needs to get in right away! If you have any questions for me, please feel free to send me a private message.

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S.M.

answers from Toledo on

There is a homeopathic remedy called Rhus Tox...works great gardeners swear by it. You can get it at a health food store.

S.

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M.J.

answers from Youngstown on

K., I have never heard of poison ivy doing this without the person being serverely allergic. Are any of the drs. your sister's seen a dermotologest? May I suggest Dr. Jennifer LLoyd, she is on Market street in Boardman. She deals in advanced studies, she's very agressive in her treatments & she is very attentive. She cured an infection my step-son had under his skin that went from the back of his neck, down & around his privates & between his legs. If they ho-hum about getting in soon (she is very busy), tell them it's an emergancy. If that doesn't work, tell them you talk to me, M. Jones, on MommaSource, I am Wendie Wakerford's sister, & we've highly recommended Dr.LLoyd to help you. Let us know how she's doin', we're all itchin' to find out! Peace, M.

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C.H.

answers from Dayton on

hi K..

people think i am crazy, but when me or my kids get poison ivy or any other kind of poison, i dab it with DAWN dish soap a few times a day. the soap drys up the oils in the poison. i can't say it works every single time, but most often it does. hope this or some other suggestions work for your sister! good luck!

C.

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T.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I know her issue is gone now. But, I would still consider making an appointment with an allergist and not a dermatologist. If she kept it for so long and had swelling, it sounds like she had an allergy to poison ivy. They may be able to help her if she ever was to come in contact in the future.

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D.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

OK, I don't think I had it as bad as your sister...but I did have poison ivy for a month that seemed to disaapear in one area and show in another. Here's what I found on the internet. First wash in a shower only with dishwashing soap...it helps get rid of the oils and spreading...oh and mid temp. water only ...hot water releases the oils and opens poors. Though it sucked right before getting out I showered in all cold for as long as i could take it. When getting out I took Calagel Max Strength Anti-Inch Gel...it says is for poison oak and ivy itch relief...dries oozing and weeping...skin prototectant and Topical analgesic...First aid antiseptic and used it like lotion on my legs, arms and feet. Tec lab produces it. I found it at Wal-mart. Most important she needs to wash any cloths or throw away any thing that can't be cleaned that might have the oils on it. Mine was in my socks from a hike and it just spread. But when I touched the socks in the laundry I got it on my waist. After that every item that possible touch my poison ivy skin got put in the wash and my old hiking tennis shoes got up in the trash. That's all I can tell you.

D.

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C.F.

answers from Cincinnati on

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's experience. I am extremely allergic to poison ivy too and have had some bad cases. The only thing I can suggest for your sister at this point is to change doctors and maybe see a dermatologist like the others have said. However, I have some great advice on how to keep it from getting this bad again. I have been managing poison ivy breakouts by using hydrocortisone cream(the kind that says at least 2%) and bandaids to prevent spreading. I don't care what they say in the media-- you can continue spreading it around your body and you can even give it to other people. I gave it to a coworker one time by sitting in the same chair and touching the same armrest. She hadn't been anywhere near poison ivy. The hydrocortisone cream might be some relief for your sister now. It was recommended to me by a doctor who is the Senior Vice President at the National Board of Medical Examiners(I used to go to church with him). It was some of the most helpful medical advice I ever received!

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