Hello,
Poison ivy is a form of contact dermatitis caused by exposure to the poison ivy plant. It is less likely for poison ivy contact dermatitis to persist for long and cause triggering of eczema. The greatest risk of long-term damage comes from the resulting blistering in which the blisters may scar if broken, and these potentially-open blisters leave open the possibility of secondary infections.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
I would appreciate if you could answer the question I asked on Jan. 26.
Have you ever heard of long-term dermatitis developing from poison ivy, oak or summac? I would appreciate your comments on this question.
Thanks.
Rick Beltz
Hello,
I am sorry I have taken so very long to reply to your original post. Thank you for taking the time to reply to mine.
I was finally able to meet with a seasoned dermatologist of 40 yrs. experience in April 2011. He diagnosed my condition as nummular dermatitis. As opposed to his associate who prescribed steroids, this practitioner wrote up a prescription for a compound ointment which was mixed by an apothecary pharmacy who specializes in dermatology and prescriptions for people who have long-term or terminal illnesses. The price has been much more reasonable than the Clobetasol. It is priced at $29.20 for a 240 cc jar compared to $42.00 for 45 cc of Clobetasol.
The prescription is a mixture of four different components, including menthol, triamcinolone, phenol (carbolic acid) and cetaphil cream. This helped my condition tremendously last winter. I also continued the bleach baths as long as they were needed and the infection in my legs went away, as well as using moisturizers, unscented body wash or ivory soap in the shower.
During the warm season the condition all but cleared up, even though, wherever it previously appeared on my body, scars or darker skin remained and still remain now. I tried to get plenty of sun during the summer and I really think it helped. Tanning from the sun helped to hide the spots.
Being back to winter now with little sunlight in this northern climate, the condition has flared up again but rather mildly compared to the initial outbreak last winter. I have been keeping it in check with the prescription ointment as well as a mixture of generic Cetaphil body lotion, mixed in a proportion of one teaspoon to 3-5 drops of pure oregano oil. This mixture has proven to be almost as good as the prescription ointment. I know a 28-year old woman here who has had eczema all her life and has found much relief using oregano oil.
After all my research, I'm really thinking that the bad case of poison ivy in mid-2010 was the catalyst for this eczema, since I NEVER had any type of skin condition like this in my life. Some say the oil of this plant remains in your body for several years. I tend to believe it.
Have you ever heard of long-term dermatitis developing from poison ivy, oak or summac? I would appreciate your comments on this question.
My wife and I may be planning to start spending winters down South starting next fall, where I will be able to be close to salt water from the ocean and plenty of sunshine compared to the Midwest Great Lakes region. I've read that sun and salt water are excellent treatments for eczema. We previously lived in North Carolina for 8 years.
If you have any additional suggestions or comments about my condition, please feel free to reply. Thanks again for your concern.
Sincerely,
Rick Beltz
Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of eczema is high in your case. You should not use such potent steroids like Cobetasol without getting it evaluated from your dermatologist. Topical steroids when used for a long period of time is notorious for causing unwanted side effects like thinning of skin , steroid induced rosacea, skin atrophy, telangiectasias etc.
In most cases of eczema no one treatment will be effective. Medical research shows that the most effective treatment plan for eczema involves using a combination of therapies to treat the skin and making lifestyle changes(prevention of triggers and application of lots of moisturizers) to control flare-ups. So apply plenty of emmolients and take antihismainics like Benadryl to combat itching.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.