Poison Ivy/Oak is pretty easy to identify - both have stems with 3 leaves; each which are particularly shiny and have jagged edges. AFAIK the Ivy variant (I don't think I've ever encountered it) grows more in civilized areas and in more abundance than Oak, which is usually sparce and in rural areas. I believe the effects caused by both are also nearly identical.
But yes, it does REALLY suck to get rashes from them. When I lived in the hills I got it a few times - I don't think I've ever encountered anything as annoying as constantly itching (though some lotions do help).
Quote:
Originally posted by ladyzekke:
Some say they are not allergic to poison ivy/oak, is that possible?
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Very. I've known a few people who could literally wade through the stuff and have no negative reactions to it - it's supposedly due to the immune system (meaning it can be passed through genetics). I just wish I was that lucky [img]smile.gif[/img]
Quote:
Originally posted by ladyzekke:
How often have yall gotten PI
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Quite a few times. However, one time is too many, especially considering a certain allergic reaction I had to Oak once. I had woken up once with almost my entire body covered in it (yes, even the ehm, "lower" parts
). I had a slight case of it beforehand, which I treated with a lotion with an active ingredient (benzoyl peroxide?). It's my hypothesis that it "carried" the Oak throughout my entire bloodstream - and I was literally fucked. One of the worst experiences in my life.
Quote:
Originally posted by ladyzekke:
and what have you done to try to get rid of it? So far, for me, burning it with hot water, and bleach, seem to work the best, although the Aveeno Oatmeal powder also works well re drying out if you make it into a paste. Messy though.
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Assuming again that Ivy and Oak rashes are nearly the same, Benadryl has worked fine for me. As for the hot water treatment - are you certain that's a smart thing to do? I know with Poison Oak pouring hot water on the rash is a godblessing - however, I think hot water also opens the pours in your skin, which would let the oil seep in even deeper.
[ 10-03-2004, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: silencer ]