The suffering that goes with poision ivy cannot be understood until one is affected. As bad as it looks, the pain can be quite intense. I too am sorry for all of those affected. This has been the most miserable week. We just bought a new home and I have not slept since the weekend we started the yard work and contracted it...
After suffering it out for almost 5 days, I kept thinking it would turn - was doing EVERYTHING wrong - and finally went to the doctor.
Poision Ivy, severe allergic reaction, fever, swollen lymph nodes.
(I knew I didn't feel good - but who wants to be a baby and run to the doctor, right?)
So, to
all suffering, as I am finally beginning to get SOME relief - sleeping 3-4 hours at a time at least, maybe you might try the following:
Aveeno Bath 1/2 hour (repeat, 3 days)
DAB spots w/ alcohol using cotton balls
Apply Anti-Itch Gel (Benadryl itch stopping cream - (2% diphenenhydramine hydrochloride, most have 1%). It dries it up faster.
And Lanacane also has an anti-itch cream that stops pain to the NERVE ENDINGS. This cream is good too for the worst spots.
Benedryl - every 4-8 hours then PRN.
I of course am also taking prednisolone that the doctor immediately gave me. I believe it is helping, but the condition of the rash is so progressed I'm concerned with scarring, and bruising has already occurred. At least the itch it becoming bearable, and finally starting to clear. I wish I would have started doing the above mention right away. Maybe the skin wouldn't have gotten so bad.
|
