OK. Raise you’re hand if your a cyclist/runner/triathlete/_____, and have ever had to make an emergency “pit-stop” in the woods/bushes/side of the road/_____.
I’m guessing if we were all in a room together, there would be an abundance of hands in the air. You’ve officially been initiated into the world of endurance sports.
I won’t beat around the bush here… I’ve had to make plenty of emergency pit stops when nature called and there were no available facilities to answer that call. I have had several run-ins with Minnesota’s wonderful wildlife during these occasions, including deer, a turtle and a bear. And poison ivy.
Yes, poison ivy. As a matter of fact, I am currently covered from head to toe (including places where the sun don’t shine) with a wicked case of poison ivy. Consider this a public service announcement for cyclists, runners, and the US Forrest Service, and commit to memory the following images.
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the three most common plants that would cause contact dermatitis (an inflammation of the skin resulting from direct contact with an irritant or substance). The reaction is often delayed… and might not show up until 24-48 hours after the actual contact with the irritant. This makes it very difficult to pinpoint what or where was the exact cause of the reaction, and this is also what happened in my case. I’m guessing I picked up the poison ivy at the Brewhouse Triathlon this past Sunday in Duluth. Monday morning I woke up and CHEESE&RICE I have never itched so badly in my life!!
Everyone reacts differently to poison ivy (/oak/sumac) – you may have a rash covering your entire body, whereas your boyfriend could sleep in a bed of the poison plant and have no reaction at all.
So lets say you’re not one of the lucky immune, and you wind up with a case of poison ivy. Now what? There are a few things you can do to help lessen the reaction.
- WASH. Wash your body, wash the clothes you were wearing, and wash with soap. Do not take a bath. (The plant oils can linger on clothes and float in the water of a bath!)
- Stay cool – heat and sweat aggravate itching.
- Take an oatmeal bath. Mmmmm. Will make you think twice before having oatmeal again for breakfast.
- Use calamine lotion and/or hydrocortisone cream.
- See your doctor if the itching/blistering is not getting any better – they can prescribe an antibiotic that will kick it from the inside out.
If you happened to pick one of these three-leaf weapons during your above mentioned emergency pit stop… make an appointment and see your doctor. This is not a rash you want on your……….
Several of my trail running buddies have gotten poison ivy on the bottoms of their feet, and apparently it is one of the most painful things to run through. (I see you shaking your head over there, thinking “just take a rest day #@%$&!” I’ve got stubborn friends!) The best prevention measure you can take is learn to recognize poison ivy, and DON’T EFFING TOUCH IT.
Lesson learned.
Reader Qs: Have you ever gotten poison ivy? Any homemade remedies that seem to help? I’m on a long course dose of predinsone, but I would really appreciate if the itching stopped. STAT.
-E
I’ve been lucky enough to steer clear so far, but I have some friends who have gotten into it. They’ve had good luck with Tecnu Extreme. Might be worth a shot. I think you can get it at Walgreens.
Tecnu Extreme….? Hmm – might have to make a stop into Walgreens on my way to the bank! Thanks Jon!
Have used Calamine lotion in the past. You will look like a pink monster, but it works.
Lots of chicken pox memories with that chalky pink bottle. I’ll take the pink monster look over the itching everywhere any day!!
Oatmeal Baths are wonderful!
I definitely would take one… but our downstairs bathroom with the tub is being remodeled right now!!
i’m pretty sure i have popped a squat 1,000,000 times in my life, it not more. knock on wood. so thankfully the only time i got poison ivy was when i was getting jiggy with it in the woods with my boyfriend at the time. i think i just used that pink stuff, calamine lotion, right?
Hahahaha WOWWW. I can imagine that was not fun. (Well… at the time, probably.
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