Hi All - Ditto Ditto. Love the showers. But I do think they contribute to the spread. I'm hhighly allergic to poison ivy. And for those who don't know where its coming from, I have been exposed to it before in an air born form (how did the doctor know? It was on my face in an obvious pattern). Another time it started out practically in the form of a handprint after I pet the dog and then rubbed my eye (being allergic and all). This time, the first spot was on my hand, about 1/4 inch line showed up. I thought it was a paper cut - but I knew the feeling. That remained the only spot - UNTIL I DID a) THE LONG HOT SHOWER THING and b) burst the little bugger with a sterile needle.. . . About 4 days after the first spot appeared. I started getting it elsewhere on my torso. And its till going and going a good week later. I also noticed when I went to bed that the spot on my leg is where my hand generally falls when I sleep and the spot on my neck is also where my hand falls when I move to a different position. I don't understand the oil thing really. But I know that skin is one organ. So it could all be a single reaction. I also know that when one is having an allergic reaction to anything, the immune system has heightened sensititivty. So it could be either that the entire organ is responding, just in different areas; and/or that once the system is compromised by the initial exposure, any kind of irritation to the skin (what might normally be a general dermatitis) may lead the immune system to react at that location.
I also recommend NOT scratching is at all possible. I hate it. But I refuse to scratch (I won't let the poison ivy win!!). This seems to cause the immune system to respond more vigorously. As a result (I think), although I have many spots, they are generally not larger than a quarter in size.
Them's my thoughts. Wish I could be of more help.
