Re: [at-l] Poison Ivy Information

[AASarra@aol.com]

In a message dated 04/21/1999 9:37:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
thornel@ibm.net writes:

<< This is _not_ poison ivy spreading because of the initial contact.  >>

What the good doctor didn't say is what I have been told by another 
physician.  And that is that poison ivy does _not_ spread through scratching, 
transference of the liquid that oozes from the pustules/blisters/whatever 
they are called, or any other physical transference.  What the doc told me is 
that the oil from the contact with the plant is adsorbed through the skin and 
(I'm not certain about the rest of this statement) is then transfered through 
either the circulatory or lymphatic system which is what causes it to pop out 
later and at different places.

Scratch all you want.  Rub it all you want.  That might cause a secondary 
infection but it won't _spread_ the rash.

I get it so badly I have been hospitalized.  Injection(s) of cortisone are 
about all that speeds the recovery process for me.  My sensitivity to the 
poison ivy is the reason I never hike in shorts, always long pants for me and 
alert attention to my surroundings so I don't inadvertantly tent in it, squat 
in it, rest in it, or touch it.

Al  (Draggin' Anchor)
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