Poison Ivy Archives

Poisen Oak

Well I have it again. This time I didn't go uip in the quad but my dogs ran through it. I can't seem to have a Thanksgiving with out coming back and being swollen up and one eye swollen shut. What is there to clean dogs with. My wife now has it and we are very uncomfortable.. Help us please.
John

Follow Ups:

• Re: Poisen Oak PeterB 13:38:01 12/04/02 (0)
• Re: Poison Oak (Prevention and treatment.) Archive Walt Stoll 08:59:50 12/03/02 (0)
• Re: Poisen Oak Carol B. 18:44:31 12/02/02 (0)
• Re: Poisen Oak pam 17:24:06 12/02/02 (1)
  • Re: Poison Oak Walt Stoll 08:48:42 12/03/02 (0)

In Reply to: Poisen Oak posted by John on December 02, 2002 at 11:13:35:

Where do you find poison oak this time of year?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Poison Oak Walt Stoll 08:48:42 12/03/02 (0)

In Reply to: Poisen Oak posted by John on December 02, 2002 at 11:13:35:

John,
You could try an oral antihistamine.
Or use cortisone cream on the affected skin, but don't get it in your eyes.
I don't know about the dogs. Maybe call your veterinarian?
Carol B.

In Reply to: Re: Poisen Oak posted by pam on December 02, 2002 at 17:24:06:

Hi, Pam.

One can get plant contact dermatitis just from touching the bare plant (no leaves). Of course, the most damaging time is in the spring when the new leaves are just coming out.

Walt

In Reply to: Poisen Oak posted by John on December 02, 2002 at 11:13:35:

Hi, John.

Even with these kind of risks, dogs are more than worth it--don't you think?!

Short or meticulously eradicating the plant everywhere your dogs are likely to roam, your only other protection would be to carefully bathe them each time they run and use soap while you use protective rubber protection. Just their brushing against the furniture, before their mandatory bathing, will transfer the plant oil to the furniture and you can then get it from there.

If you have it all over, I would use a drop down dosage of prednisone, starting with at least 80 milligrams twice a day--reducing to zero over 2 weeks. No risk to that regimen and most docs do not use nearly so much. Should cost you less than $10 for the prescription.

If you just have it in isolated areas I would use topical 1% hydrocortisone cream (Walmart's generic less than $5) at least 3 times a day.

There are those who would swear by Rhus Tox (a homeopathic) and I have seen it do wonders.

Let us know how you do.

Walt

In Reply to: Poisen Oak posted by John on December 02, 2002 at 11:13:35:

I had it when I was a kid and it was miserable! When my mom had it a few years ago, she did what Walt suggested and it knocked it out quickly. using aloe vera gel topically would provide some comfort and help reduce the itching.