Recurring Poison Oak!

[ItchyRash]

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?

[Melba_Toast]

Me too! I am very allergic to poison ivy, and I have found it to recur in the middle of winter in the very same location and same shape, with the same unmistakable itch, which no chance that I touched the plant or clothing that came in contact with it. I believe it does lie dormant and recur. My doctor thinks I'm crazy, but I know what I'm experiencing! It's good to know I'm not alone!

[zelazinthia]

I want to add to my post of Jan 24, 2015 about poison oak with regard to lotions. When soothing the itch with cold tap water or ice the skin can become chapped and that too can cause additional itching. So, out come the skin lotions. I tried Aloe Vera and St Ives and in both cases it made the itching as bad or worse than before. Finally I tried Vaseline petroleum jelly and got total relief. Initially after I applied the Vaseline there was some itching but I could still run my hand under the cold water tap to get relief without further drying out the skin because the Vaseline stayed put. A short time later and into the next day I kept the skin lubricated with the Vaseline and the itching had stopped completely even though some small bumps are still on the skin. So if you have  a problem in an area that is covered with clothing you may want to apply a light dressing over the Vaseline so it doesn't come through. Other than that I hope this helps someone.

[zelazinthia]

Although I live in a wooded area I'm not sure exactly how I got what looks like poison oak on the top & side of my my left hand. I'm thinking that it is possible I got it from my cat who is out in the woods all the time. That was a couple of years ago. At the time I started putting my hand under cold water or use ice cubes to sooth it. I had to do it many times during the day when the itching returned but over the course of several months it was reduced to the outer most limits of the circle and then finally went away. After about two years the itching returned to the same area but with the cold water I have been able to keep it from blistering. I did have a stressful situation recently and perhaps that is why it re-emerged; but don't really know. Anyway once again I am keeping it at bay with the cold water or ice which allows me to be comfortable during the day and at night when I sleep with an occasional treatment during the night if I make a trip to the bathroom. I expect it will go away again but now believe it is here for life waiting to emerge  whenever conditions are right for it. Whatever that is. Hope this helps.

[zelazinthia]

Although I live in a wooded area I'm not sure exactly how I got what looks like poison oak on the top & side of my my left hand. I'm thinking that it is possible I got it from my cat who is out in the woods all the time. That was a couple of years ago. At the time I started putting my hand under cold water or use ice cubes to sooth it. I had to do it many times during the day when the itching returned but over the course of several months it was reduced to the outer most limits of the circle and then finally went away. After about two years the itching returned to the same area but with the cold water I have been able to keep it from blistering. I did have a stressful situation recently and perhaps that is why it re-emerged; but don't really know. Anyway once again I am keeping it at bay with the cold water or ice which allows me to be comfortable during the day and at night when I sleep with an occasional treatment during the night if I make a trip to the bathroom. I expect it will go away again but now believe it is here for life waiting to emerge  whenever conditions are right for it. Whatever that is. Hope this helps.

[OphirJane]

My experience with this mysteriously appearing recurrent poison oak is the Zanfel helps nicely. Mine seems to be going through the exact same sequence (regarding distribution on my skin) as the original case, (approximately one month ago) only more accelerated. It has only been recurring for 5-6 days but already I have the healing serous crust of late stage healing up. I am so glad I'm not alone with this! Sorry to hear of you much more serious case. Good luck!

[CarlaDacon]

Well, i have another story! And to those that say poison ivy/oak can't reaccur in the same spot over and over....for YEARS....with no exposure, well...ha...they're WRONG!

About 5 years ago i got poison ivy really bad! I had been redoing a yard, and practically rolling in the stuff. On prednisone and any other stuff i got get my hands on. Just about the time one spot would clear up..another would appear. From my ankle, back, butt, fingers, chest, and a little on my face. I bought a lose long dress to wear, cuz i was covered in pink lotion...lol

Anyway, every 6 months or so, i have an outbreak about the size of a quarter come out on a 'scar' at the top of my butt! I kept doing research to see if this was normal. Everything i read said it is NOT POSSIBLE! This morning i had an itch. Like a small pimple. I knew immediately what it was. I told my friend about it. (prior to this) and he was skeptical. 2 hours later it had grown. Tomorrow i will be miserable. It doesn't last that long...about a week! But i know what it is...and NO IT IS NOT HERPES! lol It's poison ivy that lays systemic in my body! Doctors don't know everything apparently!