I too didn't know I had poison ivy until a week after I spent hours killing and chopping weeds... wearing only sandals, shorts and a T-shirt. By the time I went to the Doctor, my whole house was infected and I found out that even with massive doses of predisone, creams & gels I was still breaking out and itching all over. I am still itching almost a month later.
Until I washed every towel, every sheet, every wash cloth, every pair of shoes, every shirt, every pair of pants, every chair, even my bedroom carpet that I walk barefoot on was full of the oil, I kept re-infecting myself. Some blankets have had to be washed several times with hot water. It's exhausting, but I think I turned the corner. There are things you don't even think about, like the car steering wheel and your purse that I found has to be washed with Murphy's Soap or the Fels Naptha. I don't mean to be so negative, but until the oil is gone from where-ever you've been or touched, then it will re-infect you. I can't tell you how many times this last month I thought I got it all and then found that I had new blisters and itching. But, things are better and all I can say is don't give up. |
