[Kenny_S]

Well, to start this off, I will say, it could be worse. I have never before in my life had an allergic reaction to posion ivy or oak, sumac which we have a abundance of supply here in SEKansas.
But,,,,,,,,,,,, This past week I was helping a Christians friend cut downa tree and even though the limbs did not indicate(have any growing on them), Both my friend and I, came down with a bad case of reaction to posion Ivy, My friend is 10 years younger and is one with the monkeys as far as climbing trees. He cuts and I clean up. Works well as this old geezer would probably fall out of the tree and that would not be good.
Anywya, He has it all over him and I have it on my upper torso and a place I won't mention. The problem is I have it on my eye lids.
Now there is no evidence of this stuff on the upper part of the tree where he was cutting and I cleaning what he felled.

But,,,,,,,,, we have the aftermath of the posion Ivy oil on us.

Talked to a tree specialist and he said that the ivy may not be growning on the limbs but the bark carries the oil from the posion ivy pant through the bark.

Now he tells us!!!! Or Me asking questions.

Sooooooooo, the tree isn't completely down and we are both pretty well out of commission for a while as I just got a shot of steroids to day and supposedly, I can't be out in the sun for 10 days.
He has it everywhere I do and some places I don't, since he was hugging the tree. Guess I got it for teaseing him about being a tree hugger.
Now, here is the rub on all this. I did kill the ivy that I saw, BUT, the oils from the posion IVY can still be harmful for up to 5 years after killing it..

I guess if you drive by and see two clowns in long sleeve shirts or coats wearing complete face masks and hats in 100 degree weather, It be us'ns for sure.
The good thing is, no limbs over the two house that can can come crashing down on the houses.
Another thing is, Just because you once were NOT allergic to posion ivy, oak or sumac,doesn't mean you can't be when old age creeps up on ya.
That's me story and I am sticking to it.
Oh, BTW, don't feel sorry for me and Jim as we were surprised, surprised, surprised.

Yeah, tough guys ain't afraid of no posion Ivy!!!Guess that is what ya get for doing a favor huh?

[Gergie]

I got poison Ivy on me once and that stuff burns and I mean burns bad. I ran right into a creek and tried to wash it off my legs.

I feel your pain Buddy,

[pallin]

It's especially bad if you burn the slash and get into the smoke, but rubbing it across you skin drives it into the skin layers - - and you get it bad!

[AlArchie]

Kenny, that poison ivey can be NASTY stuff....don't have to tell you that, though. ad it isn't just aging that can change your succeptibility to the stuff. Changes in diet, stress levels, hormonal changes, certain medications, and on, and on.

Here's hoping you both get a speedy recovery. And go easy on the steroids if you can...they have some nasty side effects, too. Unfortunately once you get a bad case, there isn't much choice in treatments.

I used to be able to roll in the stuff with no bad effects.......NOT NO MORE! I too, feel your pain!

AL

[Joy]

Been there, done that!!!! Don't want the T-shirt....remember the clothes you were wearing can give it to you again. We'll all scratch for you....since you can't.

[Kenny_S]

Did Archie call me a girly boy?? HEHEHEH, Know what you mean Al! It really hasn't been bad as for itching. Well, One area hasn't been fun, but I have been using Calamine lotion and That stuff turns ya PINK. How embarrassing. Ah the Girly boy! HEHEHEHEH
In my weekly call to Carver6 and checking up on him, he told me about some stuff his wife lives by and This girlyboy,Pinker than normal, is heading to Wally World to pick some stuff up.
Remeber the cartoon that had itchy brother in it. Man for the life of me, I can't remember the cartoon's name. Wedll Dang, Old age again.
But, I will have that stuff Carver6 told me about on hand as there is a lot of tree left to cut down.

Of course Jimmy's wife and mine taught school together and they said what us to guys can get in to!!! well, they don't know the half of it and ain't a gona either.

Thanks for your concerns, Just one of those lessons learnd in the school of hard knocks.

I do know the next time I am in this type of situation, I will wash my hand throughly before using the bathroom. That is a given now.

[Ashbys]

Kenny ,

Consider yourself lucky. You could have gotten off much worst. My father cut down a vine covered dead oak. The next day to the ER. The vines were poison ivy, and he got enough , that it was in his lungs.

Funny thing , it was Feb.

Don't scratch and heal quickly.

[Capt. Bandaid]

Use Didelamine topical antihistamine gel. Works wonders.

[wade clark]

Two or three weeks from now it'll be gone but the memory will linger forever! I had it all over my body (and I mean ALL!) when I was 16...missed 10 days of school it was so bad! I mean, I REALLY couldn't go, not the usual couldn't go! Defines miserable to a "T"!

[wade clark]

I've always heard that cooked oatmeal works well on poison ivy...maybe a little honey, some raisins, a few pecans, milk...no, just put the cooked oatmeal on the sores...or was that for when a skunk sprays you? I guess that's tomato juice. Never mind! Use medicine!
Wade