NaBloPoMo Day 12: Paging All Wannabe Medical Professionals
Here's the deal, I'm currently without health insurance and I've got this rash on my leg. Needless to say, it itches like a b*tch and it appears to be spreading. I'm thinking it's probably poison ivy, although I cannot recall being anywhere near it.
Any ideas?
Comments
From my years as a non-professional pharmacy tech - regardless of what it actually is, Benadryl is the go-to for red, itchy and inflamed.
Man, it really doesn't look so great though, sorry. But look on the bright side - easy NaBloPoMo material!
Posted by: Ryan | November 12, 2007 9:23 PM
I get poison ivy from my dog. Can you blame a canine?
I've had good luck with holding the rash under water as hot as you can stand. It itches like the fire of Hades, but then it eases for a few hours.
Posted by: Moose in the Kitchen | November 12, 2007 10:27 PM
Oh, this is an easy fix. You don't need insurance, just a few simple household items:
- towels
- leather belt
- hacksaw
- duct tape
- bottle of bourbon
- a chair leg (to replace current leg)
Posted by: Chris | November 13, 2007 4:57 AM
Looks like poison ivy to me, but why does it look patterned? Try not to keep clothing against it, and the Aveeno Oatmeal Bath stuff works wonders to stop the itch.
Posted by: nancypearlwannabe | November 13, 2007 5:07 AM
It sounds weird but rubbing alcohol can dry it out and stop the itch. It might sting like a mutha' but it will stop itching sooner. The hot water cure above is also effective, even though the first 5 - 10 minutes feels like you made it worse. Stick it out a while and you will have a few hours of relief.
Posted by: Me | November 13, 2007 6:11 AM
I just read somewhere that vinegar can heal that kind of stuff. I also think, that as these home remedies pour into your comments, you should only try one at a time!
Posted by: Noelle | November 13, 2007 8:03 AM
got yourself a case of the herps.
Posted by: b | November 13, 2007 8:11 AM
R: I started to use a Goldbond ointment, that's helping a lot.
M: I had poison ivy once before - and my reaction to it was so bad that I'm surprised that I didn't go into anaphylatic shock. We're talking sumo wrestler style swelling here. I "think" - despite wearing long pants - I came into contact with it while in Land's end last weekend. Who knows.
C: Arrrrrgh - with all the itching, i'm tempted!
S: no idea why it looks the way it does, last time I had poison ivy my whole body was just red and swollen. I've been wearing knee socks over it to keep the gooey ointments off my pants. Ew.
M: so far the Gold Bond seems to do well for a few hours at a time. I may try the water method a try to clean the area out a bit. Ouch.
N: Yeah, never mix a bleach and ammonia home remedy together.
B: what can I say? I'm a dirty dirty whore.
Posted by: kir (admin) | November 13, 2007 9:46 AM
oh, and this site offers many o-delicious photos of people's poison ivy rashes: http://www.poison-ivy.org/
Posted by: kir (admin) | November 13, 2007 9:49 AM
woman you just gave me the most delicious way to spend the rest of my day, reviewing the The Skin Rash Hall of Fame!!!!
Posted by: b | November 13, 2007 1:35 PM