Recurring Poison Oak!

I was badly affected on the forearm by mistakenly cutting Poison Oak with a chainsaw. This was two full years ago. It was treated with Prednisone, properly tapering off. With absolutely no possibility of contact since then, the rash has recurred in EXACTLY the same 10" X 1" spot caused by the pitch from the chainsaw blade. Does the Poison Oak oil lie dormant in the skin and periodically resurface?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The rash of poison ivy is a type of contact dermatitis and it does not lie dormant.The rash that you are having can be due to contact dermatitis or fungal infections. Non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine(Zyrtec) or Loratadine(Claritin) may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine(Benadryl) is used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.If the symptoms persist then pls consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[purewolf386]

It has been my experience that poison oak is a persistant irritant! The oils may have remained on the chain saw chain, and when you used it, it caused a relapse or it was in the clothes you wore when you got your first infection of the poison oak! You need to thoroughly wash any clothing you were wearing when you came into contact with the poison oak!!

[metroline79]

I know what you are saying. I came in contact with poison ivy/oak 3.5 months ago on the arm at work. I did throw away all gloves and cloths. after medication with it completly disappearing, I find when I sweat the rash comes back in the same area and becomes itchy. Then seems to go away several 2-24 hours later. Funny thing is, Im now 31 years of age and when I was about 11 I had come in contact with poison Ivy/oak on my hand/fingers. Still to this day it will reappear every so often on my fingers/hand. I havent had it looked at but now im scarred it will be appearing on my arm now for the rest of my life. It like it is stored under my skin and never gos away. Dont listen to the doctors, cause I really dont think they know as much as they think they do about poisonous plants.

[Jodi_Ojeda]

About 20 years ago I began breaking out with what I thought was Poison Oak. I got this rash yearly all over my face & to the point that I was unrecognizable. Finally, about 10 years ago a DR said that he thought it was an allergic reaction but had no idea what I was allergic to. The following year I bought a mano. I woke the next morning with the start of the rash. I did some research & found that Mango's are a cousin to poison oak/ivy. Pay attention to what you eat prior to the rash. There are many fruits/vegi's that are relatives of the itchy beast so the reaction is likely to mimic oak/ivy rash. In the past 2 years I have learned that I am allergic to additives, preservatives, & all food excluding raw fruit & vegi's (some nuts & seeds as well). My 13 yr old son has followed in my footsteps & is currently covered in poison oak & sadly, is allergic to Mango's. Get to know your body & pay attention to everything!