cla…@rzdspc2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de (Christoph Clases) writes:

Poison oak/ivy dermitis is caused by a reaction to the oil of the plant. I
have found homeopathic remedies to totally alleviate the symptoms. Here in
the states Hyland’s Poison Oak/Poison Ivy tablets work for me the
ingrediants are Rhus toxidendron 6X, Croton tiglium 6X and Xerophyllum 6X
in 3 grain tablets.  Good luck I was up mto my groin in it once. Mike
Davis

You may know it as Rhus. Leave it alone, put baking soda on it if it itches
too much, and it will go away by itself in a few weeks.

- "Of weakness you should be happy, proud even. It makes possible work on
yourself and obligation someday." -Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

cla…@rzdspc2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de (Christoph Clases) wrote:

>During a hiking trip through the forests at
>the Californian coast near ‘Big Sur’, a friend of
>mine possibly came in contact with a plant
>called ‘POISON OAK’.

>It causes a severe allergic reaction of the skin.
>Our local doctors (in Hamburg, Germany) do not
>know much about that plant and it looks that i
>can’t get rid of my problems with their help.
>(I have been taking cortisol, but it has
>become even worse !)

>If anyone knows more about the plant and how
>to treat the contaminated skin, please send me
>a hint or detailed information!!

>Thank you,

>Christoph Clases

Poison oak is very common in California and we quickly learn to walk
carefully, constantly on the lookout for the telltale three leaved plant.
The rash is caused by Urushiol oil which is an extremely potent toxin–the
amount needed to cause a rash can be measured in nanograms!

The most common mainstay here in treating the rash is Calamine lotion.  It
will relieve the iching at least somewhat, enough that you can stand it!
Apply it three or four times a day.  There are some specific poison oak
medicines here that add Benadryl or other antihistamines and
benzocaine/lidocaine for pain relief.  Oral antihistamines like
ChlorTrimeton and Benadryl (these contain active ingredients
chlorpheniramine maleate and diphenhydramine hydrochloride respectively).

Over the counter cortisone creams usually are ineffectual.  Severe reactions
need hospital treatment (treated with corticosteriods, I have heard).

The blisters are not contagious and will not be spread by scratching,
contrary to popular opinion so the literature says.

I am not a doctor so if there is more expert help online, I would also be
interested in hearing more about treatment.  There are things you can do in
advance and things you can do immediately after touching a plant but
obviously that won’t help you now.  I went through an episode some weeks ago
and just gritted my teeth, put lots of Calamine lotion on and tried not to
scratch too much!
Michael Antares         |Calves are easily bound and slaughtered
manta…@crl.com        |  never knowing the reason why.
                        |But whoever values freedom
                        |  like the swallow has learned to fly.