A “Rash” Decision

Springtime. Yard work. Poison Ivy.

I’ve got it, and bad, too. Both forearms, the right side of my tummy, and a spot on my leg. I haven’t had this since I was a child, and I’d have thought that modern medicine would have made some progress since then. Silly me.

According to Wikipedia, I have urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. Urushiol is an oil produced by members of the sumac family, and it bonds into the second layer of skin if not washed off within about fifteen minutes of contact. Once it has bonded, you are pretty much screwed.

Wikipedia goes on to mention that the old standby, Caladryl, has absolutely no effect whatsoever. It doesn’t relieve the itch, dry out the lesions, or reduce the swelling. Completely useless. Period.

A search of the interwebs for cures had me looking all over town for a new product called Zanfel. At $38 for a tube, this product claims to remove the oil from it’s skin bond and is effective at all stages of the outbreak. Riiiiight. I did three treatments. Some immediate itch relief, but no long term effect. Likewise with the Admiral, who has a small patch on her arm. I may have well set fire to a couple of twenty dollar bills for all the good that did. Lovely.

I should mention, however, that I am a +15 year Type II diabetic, so my immune system is somewhat compromised. Which leads me to the latest development: Cellulitis in my right forearm. The open sores are a rapid conduit for bacteria, and I could practically hear them jumping for joy as they took advantage. I developed a well-defined area of redness, swelling, and warmth surrounding the lesions, and was on the phone to the doctor immediately.

Fortunately, medical science has advanced some in this area, and the Augmentin and Prednisone are doing the job, so I can keep my arm.

You think I’m kidding. I’m not. Look it up.