derstuka
02-06-2006, 10:39 AM
Well, being the adventurous type that I am sometimes, I got myself the worst batch of poison oak since I was a kid (it was poison ivy when I was a kid, and I had it much worse, but same difference in plants). A buddy and I had to travel across a creek to get where we needed to go, and of course came in contact with some bushes apparently. There were no leaves present, but as you know, the urushiol oils are in the branches as well.
Sooo, I washed when I got home (even in cold water to keep my pores closed) but it wasn't until 1 1/2 hours later, since we had to finish our ride, then I had to drive my buddy home, and then go home myself. I finally went to the doctor after it seemed like my adrenal glands were not up for the fight, so I am putting on a cortosteriod topical cream, and I am taking an oral steriod (Prednisone) which acts like cortisol to stop/reduce the inflammation. It is helping some, but man, this stuff just doesn't want to go away without a fight. My buddy had a little bit of a rash, but not near as much as me, and his doesn't want to go away either.
Anybody else have any poison oak stories?? How long did it take to go away? I have read home remedies anywhere from tying a steak to your leg, to rubbing banana peels on the rash. I usually get a little poison oak each year, but this is by far the most severe in recent memory.
Oh, and here are some pictures from a ride I went on Saturday. San Juan Trail again. You can see the poison oak in the picture where I am sitting down. (FYI -- I am in the "IRC Tire" jersey)
BTW, I purchased some stuff called "Tecnu" which is used to remove the urushiol oils, as sometimes soap will not do the trick. The oils can stay on unwashed clothes for years as well. I had to wash EVERYTHING I tell ya. The Tecnu stuff is always gonna be within arms reach during my hiking and biking from now on. You can use it on your laundry as well.
Sooo, I washed when I got home (even in cold water to keep my pores closed) but it wasn't until 1 1/2 hours later, since we had to finish our ride, then I had to drive my buddy home, and then go home myself. I finally went to the doctor after it seemed like my adrenal glands were not up for the fight, so I am putting on a cortosteriod topical cream, and I am taking an oral steriod (Prednisone) which acts like cortisol to stop/reduce the inflammation. It is helping some, but man, this stuff just doesn't want to go away without a fight. My buddy had a little bit of a rash, but not near as much as me, and his doesn't want to go away either.
Anybody else have any poison oak stories?? How long did it take to go away? I have read home remedies anywhere from tying a steak to your leg, to rubbing banana peels on the rash. I usually get a little poison oak each year, but this is by far the most severe in recent memory.
Oh, and here are some pictures from a ride I went on Saturday. San Juan Trail again. You can see the poison oak in the picture where I am sitting down. (FYI -- I am in the "IRC Tire" jersey)
BTW, I purchased some stuff called "Tecnu" which is used to remove the urushiol oils, as sometimes soap will not do the trick. The oils can stay on unwashed clothes for years as well. I had to wash EVERYTHING I tell ya. The Tecnu stuff is always gonna be within arms reach during my hiking and biking from now on. You can use it on your laundry as well.