I live in UK, and was recently in Louisiana on a military exercise. I spent 7 days living in the woods and there was a lot of poison ivy about. Obviously I took what steps I could to avoid contact but it is highly unlikely that I did avoid all contact, especially sitting on the ground at night.(I obviously did get bitten by some insects - no problem there)
Anyway, I was delighted, having finished the exercise for 48 hrs, I had no symptoms.I returned to UK and about 7 days after leaving the Louisiana woods I was in Sweden. I went for a run in shorts and whilst running my arms and left buttock felt itchy.After showering my arms were fine but it felt as if I'd been bitten by a mosquito on my left buttock, however the area of itching became quite large and raised, and (not helped by me scratching it through my trousers)inflamed and weepy.
The two sore patches are each about 3 inches across, and swelling,without discolouration has extended about another six inches down my thigh.
My question is - could poison ivy contaminate through my clothes through sitting on it, and could it take 7 days for symptoms to appear?
Sorry it's a long explanation with a short question. |
