Discussion: Maybe go to the doctor and ...

Maybe go to the doctor and get some prednisone.

Zanfel claims to get rid of it even after you have a rash. Do you have any of that? (I'll pack mine...)

It's not so so bad, annoying, but tolerable without ripping my skin off at least! I tried to go find Zanfel last night, Walgreens claimed to have it, but when I drove over there, there were firetrucks with lights a blazing all around it so detoured to Rite-aid which only had Tecnu... if you're able to bring yours Janet, would be nice to see if it could help!

Ymmv, I want Zanfel to work since they sponsor my ARs but I think Tecnu works better for me. Others are the opposite.

In the interim, my favorite relief is to point the shower head at the spot and turn the temperature to scalding. Heaven.

I may slather on IvyBlock for the next race.

Did you get some from Halfmoon then too? I figured I gave it a really good chance, not showering until 6h or so afterwards (had to drive to Canada!)... But ARs are hard then, showering every 2h just not an option =)

Rash at least isn't any worse today. Wonder if it helps that I'm taking antihistamines for allergies too...

Ok, and also, any idea why Tecnu claims to be homeopathic?

A word of caution here on expectations- both Tecnu and Znfel will help remove the trigger (Uroshiol), however neither contain any agent (at least what's on the material safety data sheet) that would effectively overcome the allergic reation (delayed hypersensitivty mediated by T cells) that results in the classic skin reaction. So bottom line is if the resulting contact dermatitis warrants (severity, impact etc), then corticosteroids (topically or systemically even) are the treatment of choice. BTW you can also try aloe containing products for more minor symptm relief.
Hope it clears up quickly for ouo.

No, mine was either Yankee Springs (non SMOC training) or Hi Land Lake, unless something new pops up here.

Wait, you got it both at Hi-Land Lake _and_ Halfmoon Lake? This sucks.

No, I think what I got at Hi-land lake was just a bunch of infected thorn pokes, it just hurt and became swollen little lumps, not poison-ivy blisters + itchy... now I have the latter. Although, really, it could be from Bishop Lake the day before. Ah well, it really isn't too bad, just annoying. Hardest part is not itching in my sleep...

Thanks for the science BP! Sounds like Tecnu is unlikely to help. Might the oral antihistamines I'm taking help or is that a different pathway?

My Rage teammate got some poison ivy at Bishop Lake after GYB.

Anti-histamines will help unless your immune system is too cranked up via the T cell response ie histamine release from mast cells is a classic Immediate hypersensitivity type response, however given immune system cross-talk and cascade effects these mediators will play a role! Hopefully not TMI :)

I got poison ivy once so badly that I scarred my shins for years (from scratching at night in my sleep) The thing that turned it around was scrubbing for 2 full minutes with Zanfel. Forget the 30 seconds on the tube. I did that twice and it didn't itch again. I have used both Zanfel and Tecnu even hours after a race to wash my whole body and haven't had a reaction since. More moderate scrubbing works when it's preventative.