Poison Ivy/Oak? in Wash Pass and/or Leavenworth?

[MountaingirlBC]

I did Liberty Bell on Friday, Peshastin Pinnacles on Saturday and Castle Rock on Sunday. Came back with what at first I thought were mosquito bites but when they were getting worse last night I went to the doctor who sent me to a specialist this morning. They're not mosquito bites and they are continuing to get worse. 1st doc had no idea. 2nd doc says probably poison ivy or oak. There was a sign warning climbers about poison ivy on the Castle Rock trail but I was super careful and was wearing long pants and by then I already had a few bumps anyway. I think I had the first one after Liberty Bell. Climbed in long pants there but I was in shorts at Peshastin Pinnacles. Long pants at Castle Rock. I'd really like to know for sure what it was so I can avoid it in the future. Anyone else been climbing in the area and broken out in nasty red bumps ranging in size from pinhead to about an inch? Unbearably itchy. Can post pics but they're kinda gross. Have them on my legs, arms, right hand and, my personal favorite... crawling up my neck and on to my face. I'm dead sexy.

[catbirdseat]

It is most likely that you were exposed at Peshastin Pinnacles. It only takes about a day to breakout after exposure. If you have a serious case, the best course may be systemic corticosteroid treatment.

[selkirk]

ah, the joy's of hives. Something like 90% go unexplained. Take Benadryl and get some Calamine lotion, and whatever you do, don't itch. Could easily be poison ivy, we were just east of Castle Rock at Clem's Holler/Retardant Rock, and the guidebook warned (and we visually verified) poison ivy in some gullies and wash's there. I don't remember any up near Liberty Bell, and haven't been to Peshastin, but any creek bed could potentially have it.

 

That said, I've broken out in hives sitting after sitting at my desk for 4 hours.

 

Sucks to be you but you don't get to brag til you scare a pharmacist and he tries to send you to the emergency room.

[ncascademtns]

Definitely will not be able to identify until I see some pictures.

Sorry to hear about the mishap. Sometime folks are just irritated by something more than others.

Anyways, I hope you can clear up what ever you have real soon.

Get well.

[MountaingirlBC]

The dermatologist hooked me up with some super strong steroid cortizone cream so I'm hoping that'll help. The weak ass shit the doctor gave me yesterday did nothing.

 

Ask and ye shall receive:

 

 

 

[ncascademtns]

That first one looks like you have a Lifesaver under your skin. What flavor... ummmm....I wonder?

 

 

Really, that looks nasty. I was better off without the pics.

Get well.

[MountaingirlBC]

lol... now that you mention it.. it totally does! I hope it's banana flavor.

[pink]

The dermatologist hooked me up with some super strong steroid cortizone cream so I'm hoping that'll help. The weak ass shit the doctor gave me yesterday did nothing.

 

Ask and ye shall receive:

 

 

 

looks like some nasty pornstars ass.

[MountaingirlBC]

ok you win the gross out award

[Weekend_Climberz]

pink = king of gross out

[Couloir]

lol... now that you mention it.. it totally does! I hope it's banana flavor.

 

Cherry. I'm curious. Did they get worse from scratching them, or did they get this bad on their own?

 

I saw a story on the news the other night that said poison oak/ivy will continue to get worse in the coming years. The reason? Yep, global warming!

[ivan]

looks plenty like poison oak to me, w/ the scabs caused no doubt from scratching - for me, in bad cases, 4-5 days after exposure the bubbling will expand to immense proportions (say my entire bicep to wrist), will constantly be sloughing off the outer layer of skin, popping and oozing a yellowish/orange goo that hardens quickly - an obvious scar will remain even 3 weeks later

 

poison oak = an indication that, if god exists, he's most definetly an asshole

[ZimZam]

Be aware that it can become systemic. I couldn't get it to go away and it started showing up in areas not initially exposed. The doctor told me it had entered my blood(?) Gave me some little pills. Even then it took a while for it to go away. I like when they say "don't scratch."

[JayB]

I live in fear of that stuff.

[MountaingirlBC]

Geez u guys are just full of good news huh? Bloody hell. I just which I knew exactly what did it and where so I could avoid it in the future. I've climbed at Peshastin before but it was earlier in the season so I guess that doesn't mean anything.

 

Yeah... "don't scratch" like that's gonna happen. My brother was over for dinner and he has taped me up pretty good so I can't scratch so we'll see how long that lasts.

 

The glow in the dark radioactive super cortizone steroid cream was AWESOME for about an hour but then the itching came back and I can only apply it once every 24 hours. ARGH!

 

Couloir... i can't tell if the scratching made them worse. I don't think it helped any. They seem to grow all on their own. I have a new one on my hand that I'm trying not to scratch and it's still getting bigger.

 

I've never had to deal with this before but I have to admit that now I'm feeling more than a little gun shy. I'll be the freak climbing wrapped entirely in saran wrap next weekend.

[Greta]

That is indeed, ivy/oak, in case it hadnt already done been confirmed

Im concerned that nobody has scolded you for scratching. Well, Im here to tell you that you shouldnt.

If it spreads to any "sensitive" areas, mainly your ass, vaginal area, eyes or mouth, get yerself on a prednisone taper.

 

And for godsakes, wash all the clothes from your weekend extravaganza in hot water and technu, or you will continue to innoculate yourself and others. nip that shite in the bud.

[sk]

both my parents get poisen oak really bad. when we were putting our yard in at the house they baught when i was 6 they both had it so bad they blisterd. it was the grossest thing i think i have seen to date.

 

every time you scratch and break open the sores you spread it. you can get poisen oak from being exposed directly, or from your pets or any gear. there are washes you can purchase that are suposed to get the oil off your skin right away. i would sugest getting some of that and using it when you come home from every trip.

 

I don't know if it's true but it seems like every time you get poisen oak the worse you get it.

[selkirk]

I've never had to deal with this before but I have to admit that now I'm feeling more than a little gun shy. I'll be the freak climbing wrapped entirely in saran wrap next weekend.

 

Do post pictures

 

[canadug]

You are lucky you're still alive.

[Off_White]

Well, it didn't come from Washington Pass, I'm almost certain that stuff doesn't grow up there.

 

You can "scratch" it by letting a hard shower spray hit it, but be forewarned the sensation just might make your eyes roll back in your head and cause you to pass out, so be sure to have a spotter handy.

 

 

[catbirdseat]

I don't know if it's true but it seems like every time you get poisen oak the worse you get it.

This IS true. Poison oak triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. People can become more sensitve with each exposure. I am exquisitively sensitive to the stuff, having been exposed on numerous occasions as a kid.

 

The way it works is that urushiol reacts with the proteins in your skin and alters them in such a way that your body sees them as foreign. Then the immune system basically attacks your own body.

 

Your skin acts as a barrier to most polar substances, but urushiol is of just the right polarity to pass through the stratum corneum, given enough time. This is why you can avoid a reaction if you are able to wash with soap and water soon after exposure.

[G-spotter]

just be glad you didn't wipe your ass with it, like in tami knight comics

[Greta]

I don't know if it's true but it seems like every time you get poisen oak the worse you get it.

This IS true. Poison oak triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. People can become more sensitve with each exposure. I am exquisitively sensitive to the stuff, having been exposed on numerous occasions as a kid.

 

The way it works is that urushiol reacts with the proteins in your skin and alters them in such a way that your body sees them as foreign. Then the immune system basically attacks your own body.

 

Your skin acts as a barrier to most polar substances, but urushiol is of just the right polarity to pass through the stratum corneum, given enough time. This is why you can avoid a reaction if you are able to wash with soap and water soon after exposure.

Citation-->

 

Unless you happen to be a freak. My mother can eat the stuff as a salad, all thanks to an extensive exposure as a child. Not sure about the mechanism, but could be a version of acquired immunity, similar to being vaccinated. It is more likely that one will develop a sensitivity to the vile weed, however.

No mom/freak jokes please. She has a club foot and ill probably lose it

[Sargent_Rock]

I thought I'd add some pics to help you recognize the evil plant. By the way, I don't think that poison oak grows in Washington, only posion ivy. And I don't believe it grows as high as Liberty Bell (never seen it there).

 

Edited June 30, 2007 by snoboy

[Otto]

Cool photos, thanks. "Leaves of three, let it be!"