The parental units are in town and that means Lucy has a new BFF.
Anytime she is scolded or told to “sit down” she runs to my mother. That dog, she sure knows how to play a crowd. Poor little Lucy Puggle. What a tough and miserable life she has. Good thing Granny is here to constantly rub her back and give her dog biscuits.
Finally! We have zucchini.
And soon I’ll be getting a herb garden just outside the kitchen window. Well, next spring anyway. We still need to transplant a few things {2 bushes, a peony plant, 3 sedum plants} this fall and then figure out what we want to grow. But you know, I think having a herb garden just outside the back door will be nice.
The kale and cabbage seedlings…. I need to get those in the ground.
Mystery plant of the day: Horse Nettle{Thanks Melinda and Staci!}
Anyone know what this prickly plant of death is? It’s EVERYWHERE and it needs to go.
412 orange day lilies down, 923 million to go.
If you look real hard, you can see poison ivy in there.
Speaking of poison ivy…. So far none of the over the counter remedies have worked.
Things I’ve tried so far:
- Hot showers
- Cold Showers
- Extra strength Benadryl cream
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Fels-Naptha Soap
- Rubbing lemon juice on rash {OUCH!}
- Zanfel wash
- Calamine lotion
*Mineral oil was purchased to clean soapstone counters 😉
I GIVE UP. The rash has now spread up both my arms, to my knees, neck, stomach and back. The Girl is going to drive me over to the urgent care center this morning so I can get a shot {of what I don’t know} and some of those steroid pills people have recommend. I gave the home remedy treatments my best shot….
In other news, the turtles are out in full force. It’s the third one we’ve saved from the mower. I had no idea that when we moved here, we were inheriting a wildlife sanctuary.
Just yesterday The Girl witnessed a woodpecker and a Blue Jay fighting over a tree . They kept playing uncle and dive bombing each other until the Blue Jay finally gave up.
Oh, and then there’s the snake we had to rescue from a piece of bird netting.
You know that song by the Ramones…. I want to be sedated? Well, that’s pretty much me right now. It’s getting so bad, I may have to take up drinking. Or muscle relaxers. Hypnotherapy? Or start painting every room in my house because I am about to go crazy.
In fact if I decide to take a leave of absence from the blog to zone out, it’s because I’ve locked myself in the basement and I won’t be coming out until there is snow on the ground and all the bugs/poisonous plants/critters have gone to bed for the winter.
I WANT TO GO HOME!!! But I can’t, because I live here.
This too shall pass….. right? RIGHT?
C’mon winter. HURRY UP AND GET HERE ALREADY!
~Mavis
nancy from mass says
if you can find jewel weed in your yard (a pretty orangeish flower), the lower stems will help prevent/alleviate poison ivy. just crush the stem up and spread the liquid on the area that the ivy touched. jewelweed grows all over and is a nice, natural flower to find.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impatiens_capensis
not sure if it will help for this latest rash, but if you can find some i would try it.
Mama Cook says
Big hugs to you!!! Soon fall will be here with it’s beautiful change of leaves and right behind that…old man winter!!! You’ve got this!!! Next year will be better with more wisdom under your belt! Besides, it’s raining here in Seattle, if you were here, you’d be dreaming of New England!
Michele says
“Besides, it’s raining here…” It has been an adventure for you, but overall I think it’s a good one! Hang in there.
Paula Gooding says
Where do u live. I m in Seattle and it has been sunny for days on end. My garden is dry as a bone. With the exception of smoke I think the weather has been fabulous! Wouldn’t trade this area for anywhere else.
Jillian says
Raining down in Oly!
Mama Cook says
We are in Snohomish, it was an all out deluge yesterday morning!!!! I’m with you though…I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!!!
Robin says
Just Breath, right! You are doing so great. Don’t give up. And I myself had to rescue 2 snakes this year from bird netting. I don’t care much for snakes, but they eat the mice around here. Take care.
Robin says
I did mean Breathe, not breath. Yikes.
Robin says
Lucy sounds like a child, running to Grandma. That’s so cute! 🙂
I’m grinning over your challenges with your new environment but it’s out of sympathy. So far your neck of the woods sounds like it has some similarities to country/northwoods Wisconsin. If that’s the case, every year will be different in terms of heat/humidity, snowfall, rainfall, and bugs. Some summers make me want to move farther north. Some years the flying biting bugs are lousy and others there are few of them. You get used to avoiding poison ivy and watching for small critters when you mow, etc. I was born and raised here and while there’s always the “I wish we could move to …,” after 50 years I’m still here. There’s a downside to every place – too hot, too humid, too dry, too rainy, too windy, too whatever, so I figure the grass is green enough here. Wait ’til the trees are fully ablaze with fall color – you may fall in love with where you are all over again. 🙂
Kristina says
My new motto: “The grass is green enough here.” I love that.
Robin says
Robin says
Ah, sorry – the emoji didn’t come through. I was grinning back. 🙂
Sheila says
Mavis,
I really enjoy your blog. I’m sorry your dream home has had some ,shall we say nightmares attached to
It! I’m sure you will feel better about life after that horrid rash is healed up! It sounds like you enjoy the culture there , just not the environment per say. Maybe just let your yard stay mostly natural and don’t expect so much of yourself on the gardening front. Enjoy your chickens, some container gardening and buy the rest of your produce from those local stores you enjoy so much. Also I’m sure the weather will
Break soon and you will love New England in the fall! I live in Alabama so the heat and humidity is part of my dna lol!
Erin says
Ivy dry, ditch the itch by all terrain (soap and cream)….only thing that allows me to garden or split wood or do anything on 175 acres in iowa. I use the ditch the itch soap from April till November everyday in the shower and haven’t had any rashes this year. MIL started using the soap too and she’s been clear all year. She couldn’t believe it! No rashes after mushroom hunting is a down right miracle.
Peggy says
It will get better, and/or you’ll get used to things we don’t think much about. I can tell you for (almost) certain, that you guys clearing so much stuff this year will mean much less poison ivy next year. You must live near a creek or lake since your turtles are sliders, they’re so cute! And the bird netting… I would get rid of it in favor of floating row cover, I’m telling you, that stuff is great and can be used anywhere and season to season. I too had a black rat snake get caught up in one several years ago, but mine wasn’t as lucky as yours, I didn’t see it until it was dead. I’ve never used bird netting after that. Anyway, your garden looks great, and your mom looks beautiful, enjoy your visit.
Maria Zannini says
I felt so bad for you when I read this. On our first homestead in east Texas, we discovered we had bought a poison ivy farm. It took me years to get it under control. My first rash nearly drove me insane. Even the doctor said it was the worst he had ever seen.
When it’s that bad, the best thing you can do is go to the doctor.
For the future, for minor rashes, try Gold Bond cream with Lidocane. It dulls the itch a lot.
I hope you feel better soon.
Donna says
My husband had a horrible reaction to agave while taking it out. The only thing that helped him is gold bond anti itch cream with gold bond anti itch powder on top. It looks horrible but really helped him.
Em says
Oh no! There’s nothing more to be said, except one day you’ll have a story to tell about this. In the book you’re going to write about it! 😉
I’m glad your parents are able to visit.
After the doctor, I hope you get a lemon tart or go to a high tea somewhere.
{Hugs}
Tiffany says
Tecnu wash was especially helpful with my past encounters with the leaves of three.
MEM says
Yes to Tecnu! It removes the oil that causes the rash. Works b
after exposure.
Melissa D says
Yes to Tecnu!!
Pam says
We also swear by Technu soap!
Kristine Drumm says
I drank Yogi Dandelion Root tea 3x day for 3 days. Rash gone . All over arms legs face.
LynnDinKY says
Poison ivy. How I hate it, let me count the ways. 1. With extreme passion. Lol. Rule number one. Never ever take a hot shower after messing with PI. The hot water just spreads the oil more. And somehow just makes it worse. Use a non moisturizing soap such as jewelweed soap, ivy rest, lye, or dish soap such as Dawn. No joke. 2. Immediately wash your clothes, gloves since we don’t want the nasty spreading. 3. Keep the pets and farm animals away from the PI. They can spread the lovely oils too. 4. Remember that the oils are on the plant year round. Ugh. 5. Normally I would never recommend a toxic spray. But this stuff will keep coming back if the roots are alive. Use round up to spray and kill this horrid terrorist in your garden. I’m sorry to give you all this bad news. But I have learned from experience. It’s not nice to have ones eyes swollen shut and a rash that drives one insane with itching.
Gina says
So sorry to hear you are miserable with poison ivy. It is horrible! Ugh!
Wanted to warn you that you CAN get poison ivy in winter. Also, NEVER burn it because if you breathe the smoke, you can get poison ivy all over, inside and out.
Take care and hope you get some relief soon.
Jeanie says
Yes! My dad got so sick once because he breathed the smoke!
Mavis Butterfield says
I am SO GLAD everyone warned me NOT to burn the poison ivy. I would have FOR SURE stuck it on our burn pile.
Andrea says
Try zanfel poisen ivy cream. It’s expensive but has saved my sanity many times!!!!!
Jennifer G says
This too will pass. Changing your environment can be challenging & I think you’ve had an exceptional year with the heat. The seasons will become your new normal and you will learn to maybe not love, but tolerate the bugs, critters, weeds, etc. Getting a steroid shot is the only relatively quick way to rid yourself of a bad case of poison ivy & i’m sure you both know exactly what it looks like now. Enjoy your parents visit!
Marianne Lewis says
Being an East Coast girl (except for a stint, when I was very young, of living in New Orleans) I am rather amused by what you point out as different . Never gave the insects, snakes, turtles or poison ivy a second thought, they are and have always been part of the rhythm of our natural life here.
Having also lived in the Northern Territories of Australia (don’t get me started on that biosphere!), Kent in England, Malaysia, Thailand and Greece – New England’s flora and fauna are typical of a system found everywhere. just different balances due to heat (or lack thereof!) and humidity.
Just remember, there are reasons the first Europeans kept pushing West – rocky soil and harsh winters aside!
You are very brave to totally uproot from everything that is familiar and comfortable, so something that seems so similar, yet in so many ways is completely different. You’ll get the rhythm of it all, just give it time and listen to the older farmers and gardeners. Maybe spend some time at your local AgExtension.
Sarah says
I love the connection you made with these trials and westward expansion! Our home school is studying the 19th century and I think a lot about the motives of the pioneers. As a lifelong Oregonian I take for granted the relative ease of the climate, natural beauty, and very few bugs and critters to deal with around here. The worst for us is mosquitoes certain times of the year.
Peg says
We, too, a few years ago moved from the Rocky Mountain region to a Phoenix suburb. We didn’t even last a year. It’s a wonderful place in the winter and early spring, but summer is hell! And fall is much nicer where we left, so we moved back. The only thing worse than moving somewhere you’re not happy is to decide you have to stay (speaking from my experience only). Enjoy your parents’ visit!
Melinda W says
Your mystery plant looks like horsenettle. It’s a toxic nightshade, so make sure nothing eats it.
Staci W says
I agree! Looks like horsenettle. Here is some info from gardeningknowhow.com – DON’T Till it.
Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), a poisonous member of the nightshade family, is one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate since it resists most attempts at control. Tilling the soil only makes it worse because it brings seeds to the surface where they can germinate. Flame weeding doesn’t kill the weed either because the penetrating roots reach depths of 10 feet or more, where they survive after the tops are burned away. For horsenettle, herbicide is the most practical control method for many gardeners.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Horsenettle Control – How To Get Rid Of Horsenettle Weeds https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/get-rid-of-horsenettle-weeds.htmme
Gloria says
I get horrible poison ivy rashes, huge blisters, etc. I’ve tried everything and this is the only method that has successfully worked for me:
https://modernsurvivalblog.com/remedies/poison-oak-ivy-itch-relief/
The key is to get the water as hot as you can stand without burning yourself, of course. Wait until you feel the tingling sensation of the histamines releasing. This usually takes about 10 minutes for me. I’m good for about 9-12 itch-free hours after this process. Good luck!
Sluggy says
Oldest son was deathly allergic to Poison Ivy so of course his first year at camp he caught it. Had to bring him home early poor thing.
We always used TECNU after that. Get some and feel better.
A says
Mavis, try ocean water. The salt water seems to dry it up! You need a day at the beach!
Em says
That actually worked for me when I was a kid, as well.
Nicole Modlin says
tecnu extreme medicated poison ivy scrub works really well.
mim says
ditto to what others are saying. you’ve been in your new place for barely six months and think of all you’ve accomplished! you have, in fact, been drinking from a firehose nonstop and it’s no wonder you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed.
here’s the great thing, though. now that you’ve been through the agonies of a poison ivy encounter, you will never mistake the plant again. your eagle eyes will spot it instantly, trust me.
if you do think you might have brushed against some, I have found that immediately rubbing some Dawn dishwashing detergent on the possibly affected areas will stop the oils from taking hold. i do that as soon as i get inside, and then after 5-10 minutes, jump in the shower.
the only times i have gotten poison ivy in the last many years is when i get it on the bottom of my shoes and fail to scrub them. if i then kneel or squat down to weed or something, the soles come in contact with my bare legs and i get a mild case of the rash. so keep your eyes open for the dratted stuff, and if you even think you’ve come into contact, wash everything. including Lucy.
Julie Bock says
I ditto the Dawn dishwashing liquid….not just for poison ivy…… for anything with irritating oils…like when you work with Jalepenos 🙂 of course it may be too late for this time, but you could try.
Carrie Council says
I love when I find big snakes. It means you have mice and they are taking care of it! My neighbors keep killing snakes and wonder why we all have a rat problem in our corner of the neighborhood. I even offered to remove them but they just keep killing them, even the little brown snakes that eat worms! 🙁
Sandra G. says
Your mystery plants id
your green plant may be this
https://www.rareseeds.com/green-zebra-tomato/
or this
https://www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-grow-bigger-better-gooseberries/
Mavis Butterfield says
Both are a negative. 🙁
debbie in alaska says
Well, you certainly aren’t afraid to jump right in and give 100% — unfortunately the downside of that is that sometimes it feels like the hits just keep on coming. Her’s my hunch — next year will be SO MUCH BETTER. You’ll have lots of trial and error under your belt, you’ll start to feel a bit like an ol’ pro and things will be familiar. I wondered how long it would take for New England to show you her complex side. Sometimes she’s just a jerk. The good news is that all the things you LOVE about her will win out in the end.
Susan says
Has anyone suggested goats? I have a faint memory that someone once did,
but I don’t remember what the consensus was.
Would goats get rid of the poison ivy and horse nettle?
I know nothing about goats.
(Except in that movie where the guy said, “Rambo eats things that would make a goat puke.”
It sort of gave me the impression goats would eat anything.)
Are you allowed to put mosquito-eating fish (Gambusia affinis or Gambusia holbrooki) in your pond,
(the pond in the woods in your back area), or is it not allowed?
I know they are not to be introduced into natural habitat.
You could check with Vector Control in your area.
If you want to cheer yourself up and look on the bright side,
you haven’t gotten Lyme disease yet!
Mavis Butterfield says
Key word there….. Yet.
Maria Zannini says
I’ve had Lyme disease. If you find the telltale rash, see a doctor asap. The sooner and most aggressively you can treat it the better your results.
I have goats too. They do eat poison ivy, but they’ll also eat a lot of other greenery you want to keep.
Goats are great fun, but they need strong fences. They’re smarter than most of us and are the best escape artists.
Susan Backus says
And they give the best milk! Wish I had one. Used to get my goat milk from a friend before I moved back to the city.
Mrs. C. says
Goats: will eat plants that will kill them, like rhododendrons.
Have to be dwormed religiously or they will drop dead – LITERALLY – with little or no warning.
My neighbor is a goat farmer and a font of goat knowledge.
Mavis Butterfield says
Also, I don’t think I could handle goats…. I think we have enough pets for now. GAAAA!
Kimberly Lynne says
Hi Mavis. Around here we swear by Neosporin Excema Essentials Moisturizing Cream, and not just for Excema. I’ve used it for rashes, burns, etc. It’s worth a try.
https://www.neosporin.com/products/eczema-treatment/daily-moisturizing-eczema-cream
Amy says
I am so sorry that your poison ivy went systemic fit both you and your husband. My husband experienced that a few years ago, and medical intervention was the only thing that helped. Best wishes on a quick recovery!
Stephanie N DeKeyser says
My goodness, you’re having a time of it! You’re the third person I know of that has had to go to the doctor this summer for poison ivy. My father also needed steroids due to a really bad case of it that just wouldn’t quit. I hope you’re able to get some relief quickly, and that things calm down soon!
Katherine says
Everything will be better once your poison ivy rash starts going away. Hopefully the frustration will also.
Elizabeth says
We live in Virginia and every single summer I swear I’m packing up the entire family and moving to England. The heat, humidity, mosquitoes, snakes (OMG, the poisonous snakes…!!!!) and traffic make summers a nightmare. On the other hand, our winters are beautiful. I’d tell you to hang in there, but that advice never helps. What will help is installing central air conditioning, snake away (LOADS of snake away), and plenty of deep woods off. Ticks are crazy up there and you don’t want lyme disease! Hugs!
Barbara says
Mavis I noticed that you have not tried the Pure Organic Coconut Oil that I told you about. Its cheaper than doctor visits, prescription drugs, and you can find it at any grocery store for around $6-8. The best thing about it it really DOES WORK! Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Enjoy your time with the parents, we know Lucy will 🙂
Leslie says
Holy PI rash! I’m sure you’ve heard about washing afterward with Dawn. But sometimes only steroids do the trick. Your rash looks and sounds severe. Hope you get some relief soon.
Cass says
There is a lot of good advice in the posts above mine. Let me add you are spreading the rash to other places on your body via something contaminated in your “world”. It may be Lucy. You pet your pet and then touch your body without washing your hands with a non-oily soap and PRESTO more rash. Or your door knobs. Or your bath/hand towel. You need to clear/clean all things in your world with something that will REMOVE the oil of the plant, not spread it further. (Alcohol, dawn, fels naptha soap and paper towels so you throw it away not add it to your washer)
I used to get poison ivy every winter. “Winter?” you may say. Yup. The vines climbed up the trees, we cut the trees and brought them in to burn. I didn’t use gloves consistently to move the wood and PRESTO, ivy rash. When I figured it out I started to wear gloves and when I forget to wear them I immediately wash my hands with Fels Naptha soap and I haven’t had a case since. (Don’t ask me about petting the chickens. YIKES!! Got it from one of them one year too)
MRs. C. says
Actually, what the dermatologist told my husbnd is that it spreads internally, as well. So, even if you take all sorts of external precautions (which you should), if you get a bad case of it, it will spread.
Mavis Butterfield says
We put a bar of Fels Naptha soap at the garage sink so we would remember to wash down before coming in the house next time. It’s like moving to another country I tell you! So many new things to learn.
Deborah says
Idk. Give me Arizona anyday. My daughter goes to school in Massachusetts
I think she has decided the East coast is nice to visit,
But wants to come back West to live.
Mrs. C. says
You can still get poison ivy in the winter if you touch the dry leaves and branches.
Ask my HH how he got it in January!
At any rate, home remedies, over the counter remedies are all well and good up to a point. After that, it’s modern medicine all the way.
Randi says
Mavis: maybe a little humor will relieve your itching. My kids call snakes, ‘nope ropes’.
See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0arsPXEaIUY
Mavis Butterfield says
We have a lot of cheese bois!
Bonnie Schmidt says
Mavis, I have an app for you! It’s called Plant Snap and it identifies plants for you! Hope it helps.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have like 5 apps on my phone. I can’t handle anymore than that. LOL. But thank you. A lot of people do recommend that app. 🙂
Candice says
Hi Mavis,
I smile every time I read your blog! I laughed for days when I first saw you dressed up as a pilgrim! Thanks for the laughs! Anyway, my son swears by a product called Tecnu for treating poison ivy. I didn’t see it in your picture and thought maybe you haven’t tried that product yet. i hope you feel better soon!
Mavis Butterfield says
We picked up a bottle today!!!! 🙂
Deborah says
I suppose my post wasnt important enough to post it here. I think I may have to subscribe. I’ve been a loyal reader for years.
Mavis Butterfield says
What do you mean? You don’t have to subscribe to have your comment post in the comment section. Did your comment not show up? About 1,000 plus comments get sucked in to the “spam” folder each and every day without me even seeing them first. 99% of them are spam, but others sometimes get tossed in the folder for no apparent reason {I don’t have control over what my computer thinks is “spam” vs what is not spam, and honestly I don’t even bother to sift through the 1,000 daily spam comments unless someone mentions it. These days, I barely have time to brush my teeth.
Sometimes comments are also tossed in the “moderation” section as well {those I do see} until I can clear them. If you left a comment and it didn’t make it through, let me know and I will see if I can fish it out from the spam folder before it gets emptied tonight.
Believe me, it’s nothing short of a miracle I can upload pictures and write a blog post. 😉 I am not computer savvy one bit.
I’m glad your are here though. 🙂 I love the comment section!
Heidi N says
Hi Mavis, So sorry your poison ivy has spread! No fun for sure! Have you tried taking Claritin? Also, witch hazel applied to the rash might be helpful. Perhaps an oatmeal bath would be good as well. I think Aveeno makes a product for an oatmeal bath. Hope you and your HH feel better soon!
Dawnelle says
The only thing that helps us is Sarna (OTC) and prednisone (of course), and this is NOT good for you, but for the super unbearable spots, blow the hot air from the hairdryer on it. Provides temporary relief.
Pam Kaufman says
Prednisone is the only thing that helps some people (me included) with a poison ivy rash! It is not worth the days or weeks of suffering through the itch and pain (yes actual pain) of poison ivy. You will be so happy you went to the urgent care once the steroids start working.
Libby says
I’m like Pam – super sensitive to poison ivy (or PI as we call it). I’ve been hospitalized for it in the past. My eyes have been swollen shut, I’ve had it in my mouth, I’ve had it in the genital area – so NOT fun.
For many people PI stays localized to where they touched the plant or any area that is in frequent contact with that body part.
For some of us PI gets into our bloodstream and travels around the entire body. I’m one of these people and Prednisone is the only thing that kicks PI to the curb for me. I usually wait 5-7 days before going to the MD as that drug is powerful stuff.
I hope the visit to the doctor was successful and whatever course of treatment is helping quickly to dry the PI up.
Aaron says
IVY DRY always worked for me when I got Poison Ivy. Apply it when the first sore appears… it keeps it from spreading!!!!!
http://www.ivydry.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Super-Size-Itch-Relieving-Spray/dp/B001V9QW2E
You might be able to find it at a local drug store…. Love your blog read it every day!!!
Marybeth says
Glad your mom is there to help. That is really cute that Lucy runs to her when she is in trouble. Please give Lucy a good bath. She could have the oils on her fur and be spreading the PI all over you. I hope the doctor gives something to you that helps.
Jumbe says
Hugs from a Seattlite if it makes you feel any better here in Seattle this summers gardening was a bit of a bust. We had no rain, at all, for most of June and all of July and August. The soil was dust and dense wildfire smoke made it impossible to be outside for weeks at a time. If you get to missing us too bad just sit in your car and pretend to be in traffic 😉 Double hugs, perservere pilgrim this too will pass.
Connie says
You made an extreme change and I would definitely give it more time ,but the good news is you can always move again if you are truly miserable.. your husband can work from home anywhere.
dawnelle says
Oh, yes- and definitely I agree- wash the dog, wash ANYTHING you wear outside, wash your shoes. Wash the doormat. Wipe down doorknobs, lightswitches, etc.- use Dawn. We back up to a greenspace and it’s rampant back there, and my kids literally get it from balls that hit the dirt. We wash basketballs, the hoop, etc. It’s awful. Also, my husband once got it from powerwashing- the mist that hit him (he was powerwashing some ground and some boulders that were decor in the back- it spread the oils all over his body. He had it ALL over his face, lips, eyes, and his whole body. He missed a week of work and was on prednisone, miserable. It was horrible.
Libby says
Wash the car too if it has been down any narrow lanes with brushy sides. I’ve gotten PI from the car door handle while on Nantucket 🙁
Sandy says
Mavis, you’ve accomplished so much! Every new place has its ups and downs. The US is so large that when you literally move across the country it is like living in a foreign land! You will get used to it and thrive. And guess what? If you don’t you can always move again. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed. When I made the move from the Midwest to the West Coast I told myself if I couldn’t hack it I could always move back, but I was going to step out and live my dream. Turns out it’s better than I could have believed. I will say, though, the NorthEast seems to be doing it’s level best to maim you! As determined as you are I believe you will learn all the lessons and next year will be so much easier. Hang in there, get some meds and feel better!
Tami Lewis says
Try Ivy Rest…at walmart etc. Made for poison ivy. Gave me relief right away. Also..believe it or not..gasoline! But i liked ivy rest better lol
Paula T. says
I have a friend that swore by homeopathic tablets that she would take at the first signs of poison ivy and it would halt the progression of it if taken early. I don’t know the name or brand tho. Haven’t seen anyone suggest this approach so thought it might help with a little research.
Sue R. says
You are overrun with poison ivy remedies–but this is an important tip I found online:
The key to effectively avoid the rash is to use the necessary amount of friction when washing. A washcloth, loofah or towel is more important than what kind of soap you use. You will need to wash at least three times to ensure the oil is gone.
Justsayin says
C’mon now. It’s not that bad. American settlers had to endure worse. Take two poison ivy shots and call me in the morning.
This too shall pass.
Shannon says
My husband has very sensitive skin and ended up having to throw out the clothes he had worn when he walked through poison ivy. Multiple washes didn’t get rid of the oil completely, and he kept having reactions.
Cindy R says
Salt water really helps to dry up the poison ivy. It’s time for a trip to the beach or for a soak in epson salts and warm eater.
Linda DeGroot says
If you burn poison ivy, even accidentally, the oils are spread through the air and can get in your lungs. Even if you rip the ivy from the tree, oils are left.
Maybe for next time or any severe itching, try Chiggerex in otc at Walmart.
When my friend comes in from gardening, she gets pure Clorox and pours it down her arms and washes the oils off.
Unless you were naked and rolling in poison ivy, you should not have so much contamination. It seems you always have on long pants and long sleeves, so you are getting into something in the house. Lucy or other items she or you have touched would be my first guess.
Your arm looks nasty and dangerous. Have you tried honey? I fear you may get a case of sepsis with so much damaged skin to let a pathogen in.
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
It will be FALL soon, I promise! My brother had PI like yours this summer from his wrists to above his elbows and finally gave in and went to the doctor for a steroid shot. But the doctor also told him to wash in Vagisil of all things to help with the itching. I say anything that works! Hope you feel better soon!
Elaine says
I’m blessed that I’ve never had PI but my son gets it all the time. I use Tea Tree Oil (to dry) and the Lavender oil (to soothe) and the I wrap the entire area with guaze so it doesn’t spread. My bathroom looks like a hospital ER with gauze, tape, etc… It keeps the rash contained and it clears up quick.
At this point you need a doctor…
Feel better!
Katie says
Moves are hard. The first year is full of new discoveries. The second is for trying to establish real friendships with the people you met the first year. The third is when you hit your stride.
colleen says
Poison ivy and poison sumac are tricky…the oils can remain on clothes, shoes,gloves, tools, etc. Remember to clean everything…Good Luck!