| I have had two separate bouts of poison "something" this year. I am quite prone to all types and am so dumb (though I excell with other plants) about recognizing the poison plants in time that I rarely know when or what I contacted. Years ago I followed the hot water and bleach routine with marvelous and instant results... I am older and have less resilient skin now and would never use bleach for fear of scarring, it also bothers me by both smell and contact and would create other hideous symptoms while attacking the poison successfully. About 15 years ago we lived near a stream and, after reading an old Eule Gibbons book, discovered Jewelweed. Boiling the entire plant (cut up in about 2" pieces) in just enough water to cover, then straining and freezing in ice cube trays proved the best and only preventative I have ever found for hypersensitivity to poison "whatevers". It helps with an outbreak, the cold is also soothing and continued use after an outbreak warded off outbreaks for many years for me.... UNTIL I lost my source for the plant and forgot about poison "whatevers" for a while....and BOOM, these outbreaks came this year. I found some Jewelweed and while use til my resistance to poison builds up again, BUT... thank GOODNESS for HOT WATER. As hot as you can stand and for as long as you can stand it (hopefully we all know what is TOO MUCH)from the moment I feel an outbreak is my standard. Even if it DID spread a little (mine never has, indeed when I see pics of others outbreaks, mine don't look nearly so bad) from the hot water, the "feel better" aspect while it subsides is worth it. The hot water WORKS, believe me. The spots look angrier and redder, the blisters swell after treatment, but go back to normal within minutes. The frozen Jewelweed decoction feels great after the heat too. For ages I wasted money on everything that came along for treatment, this is the best route (for me anyway) and as inexpensive as hot water and a plant you can find be the roadside near most streams... at least in Va. |
