posted
I have had it once before, but never like this. Eyes shut and all. What a double whammy when you combine that with a herx.
Does anyone who has experienced this know of any natural rememdies that have personally helped get through it quicker?
I was also wondering if a weakended immune system could have aided in my body not being able to fight it off? My 9 year old nephew had more contact with it than I did and he never got it.
Posts: 85 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I wish I knew what to suggest, I get it something fierce too. Last time I got a whiff of someone burning brush a block or so off a walking trail. A couple days later my eyes were swollen shut and half my body from head to toe was covered in a continuous rash, it got me right through my clothes.
I had to carry clean towels with me to catch all of the drainage, it blistered and weeped from everywhere. My lyme sx were going strong for a while before that. There probably is something to to having a screwed up immune system and getting a worse reaction to it.
I ended up taking a ton of prednisone for it, a big no-no because it can make lyme and co's worse but I had no idea at the time I had lyme.
What helped me the most was taking tons of benadryl and try to sleep through as much of it as I could. Cold compresses are great for relieving the swelling and the itch, for me it was the colder the better.
I feel for your suffering and hope relief comes for you soon!
Posts: 474 | From US | Registered: May 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Other ways should of course be considered. Still . . .
Prefacing this with the fact that we can't SEE you or know just how pronounced this is as it sounds very intense, indeed. Still . . . hope there are ways to avoid steroids yet . . . if it gets dangerous,
This MAY be a case where you would require prednisone, actually. If vision or breathing (or life) is threatened.
However, if prednisone - or even any topical steroid cream is used (and not near the eyes) . . . be sure to FIRST talk with your LLMD about how to protect you with the right combination and dose of antibiotics.
A naturopathic doctor would be excellent to consult if you have access to one, too.
Of course, there may be other ways it's just that if eyes are swollen shut, you need immediate medical consultation.
If you get any steroid eye drop, also get an antibacterial drop . . . still, talk to a LLMD first if at all possible.
Your lungs could also become filled with fluid, so keep watch on your breathing, too.
Last week, in the news was an article about how poison ivy and poison plants are now far worse than they used to be, not just reactions but the actual plants are more potent.
Good luck. -
[ 06-12-2015, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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Topic: what do STEROIDS actually do to those with lyme? Risks, long term damage discussed. Links.
Detail here about how to take safely if required in life, lung or eye-threatening emergency. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- I've not studied this in regard to poison ivy but this comes to mind as one to maybe consider:
The herb, STINGING NETTLE may serve to compensate for the reaction by calming the the cytokine storm that is often part of a herx reaction. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:375671.
Epub 2012 Jan 24.
Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Animal Models of Calendula officinalis L. Growing in Brazil.
Excerpt:
. . . This experimental study revealed that C. officinalis presented
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as well as angiogenic and fibroplastic properties acting in a positive way on the inflammatory and proliferative phases of the healing process. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Do not assume you are dealing with the same kind of poison ivy as in the past. It's not the same.
Climate Change Making Poison Ivy, Oak Stronger, Scientists Say
By Zain Haidar - Jun 11 2015 - The Weather Channel
2:15 video - "Poison Ivy Growing Bigger, More Toxic"
Excerpt:
. . . It tells the plants to grow bigger leaves. And the oil itself, that causes poison ivy rash, is more powerful and supercharged," Dr. Clifford Bassett, an allergist and assistant clinical professor at NYU School of Medicine, told CBS. . . .
[the oil can stay on a bench or surface for up to five years . . . clothes require special detergent -- and separate laundering] -
[ 06-12-2015, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Excellent idea above from SGK
Most natural foods stores carry homeopathics.
If you have one around that has a full wellness department, talk to the person in charge there, too. Call. Have a friend or family go for you, though.
Likely, they have other items that could help, too.
Hopefully, you will be able to find good safe ways to wait this out. Take care. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- If it gets to the point where urgent care might be required, I wonder if a MAGNESIUM IV would help?
I don't have time to research that now (a ND would know and a MD might know) but it would sure be safer than steroids and the IV might serve you well in an urgent care situation.
Perhaps, IV glutathione, too.
We do have to figure out other ways, even in the most extreme cases. So, this is a good practice, eh? -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thank you everyone for the replies. My eyes have both opened up a little bit and feeling slightly better but still miserable. This is day 5. I haven't had a fever or any problems breathing. I`ve just been using an antihistamine and cold compresses around the clock and trying to sleep the best I can. I never knew this could get that bad. I`m hoping each day that passes now gets a little bit better and it will completely go away in another 5 days or so.
Posts: 85 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Get the rhus tox anyway. Sounds like you have it systemically. This will help get it all out.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 41384
posted
I can pull it right out of the ground and I get like 4 dots of blisters, but my husband and one kid get it like you. they have had to have a shot of something- probably a steroid - and we spray IVY DRY all over it and it seems to really speed up the drying/healing process.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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