Poison Ivy
Posted by Walter Scott M.A., L. Ac.
on Thursday, 13 September 2012
in Uncategorized
Walter Scott M.A., L. Ac.
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Usually I am inspired to blog by questions asked by others. Today however, I w
ant to share my own recent experience with Poison Ivy. I believe this post actually begins during a lovely little walk that I took with my 2 oldest sons, while we were visiting family on Eastern Long Island. We had a lovely little hike along a wooded trail which took us to the Peconic Bay.
In addition to some nice pictures, I apparently brought home another not so friendly reminder of that trip. About a week or 10 days after our hike, I began to experience some pretty intense itching on my ankles and feet. Since we were back home in Maryland at this time, my initial thought was that I had provided some early evening snacking for the local mosquitoes. I sprayed my self with bug spray and continued to enjoy the fine evening. By the next morning, my feet and ankles were beginning to show red, raised bumps, which I continued to blame on the skeeters. However, as more bumps began to appear, around my knee, and a few on my arm and wrist, I was beginning to have some doubts. I briefly considered athletes foot as some of the worst symptoms were between some of my toes. I really became puzzled when they began to blister. At that point I went to the all knowing internet, and googled "Poison Ivy". After looking at some pretty disturbing images of the rash poison ivy can cause, and learning (to my surprise) that the rash can develop as much as 12 days after exposure, I focused my efforts on treating the condition according to Chinese Medicine. I found a very useful post at Zi Zai Dermatology's Blog, which recommended some points, and some herbal interventions. Thankfully the points were easily accessible for me to treat myself, and being an acupuncturist, I can order Chinese herbs. The points are LI 4 located on the back of the hand just past the joint of the thumb and first finger. LI 11 is located on the outside of the elbow, at the end of the crease, just above the bone. Bai Chong Wo (I now know) is located on the surface of the thigh, about a hands width above the top of the knee cap, and towards the inner portion. These points can be easily found and stimulated by one's finger, or my favorite technique is to use a stylus that I use on my laptop.
While I waited for the herbs to arrive, I also visited Brian Sanderoff, the owner of Well Being Healing Center and Holistic Pharmacy where Rhus toxicodendron and Itch Nix were recommended. Rhus tox. is a homeopathic formulation made from Poison Ivy and Itch Nix is a gel consisting of "Purified Water, Aloe Vera Gel , Propylene Glycol, Echinacea Extract, Glycerine Calendula (Marigold) Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Comfrey Extract, Nettles Extract, Clove Bud Oil, Menthol, Camphor, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Pyridoxin (Vitamin B6). Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ferric Ammonium Citrate (Iron), Allantoin, Cellulose Gum" according to the manufacturers website. There add goes on to say:
"Don't scratch it! If you've ever suffered from poison oak or ivy, you know what you need: fast, healing relief! The potent B Vitamins, Camphor, Echinacea and Calendula Extracts in Itch Nix deliver cool, soothing relief within seconds."
I must say, I did not exerience "cool soothing relief in seconds", in fact the act of applying the gel to the sores, got my rash to itching for several minutes, before easing. I can say however, there was a very noticeable drying effect from the combination treatment. After several days, when the Chinese formula arrived, I noticed a very dramatic decrease in the itching from the rash. I continued to take the Yin Qiao twice a day for about 10 days, which included a couple days symptom free.
ant to share my own recent experience with Poison Ivy. I believe this post actually begins during a lovely little walk that I took with my 2 oldest sons, while we were visiting family on Eastern Long Island. We had a lovely little hike along a wooded trail which took us to the Peconic Bay. In addition to some nice pictures, I apparently brought home another not so friendly reminder of that trip. About a week or 10 days after our hike, I began to experience some pretty intense itching on my ankles and feet. Since we were back home in Maryland at this time, my initial thought was that I had provided some early evening snacking for the local mosquitoes. I sprayed my self with bug spray and continued to enjoy the fine evening. By the next morning, my feet and ankles were beginning to show red, raised bumps, which I continued to blame on the skeeters. However, as more bumps began to appear, around my knee, and a few on my arm and wrist, I was beginning to have some doubts. I briefly considered athletes foot as some of the worst symptoms were between some of my toes. I really became puzzled when they began to blister. At that point I went to the all knowing internet, and googled "Poison Ivy". After looking at some pretty disturbing images of the rash poison ivy can cause, and learning (to my surprise) that the rash can develop as much as 12 days after exposure, I focused my efforts on treating the condition according to Chinese Medicine. I found a very useful post at Zi Zai Dermatology's Blog, which recommended some points, and some herbal interventions. Thankfully the points were easily accessible for me to treat myself, and being an acupuncturist, I can order Chinese herbs. The points are LI 4 located on the back of the hand just past the joint of the thumb and first finger. LI 11 is located on the outside of the elbow, at the end of the crease, just above the bone. Bai Chong Wo (I now know) is located on the surface of the thigh, about a hands width above the top of the knee cap, and towards the inner portion. These points can be easily found and stimulated by one's finger, or my favorite technique is to use a stylus that I use on my laptop.
While I waited for the herbs to arrive, I also visited Brian Sanderoff, the owner of Well Being Healing Center and Holistic Pharmacy where Rhus toxicodendron and Itch Nix were recommended. Rhus tox. is a homeopathic formulation made from Poison Ivy and Itch Nix is a gel consisting of "Purified Water, Aloe Vera Gel , Propylene Glycol, Echinacea Extract, Glycerine Calendula (Marigold) Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Comfrey Extract, Nettles Extract, Clove Bud Oil, Menthol, Camphor, Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Pyridoxin (Vitamin B6). Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Ferric Ammonium Citrate (Iron), Allantoin, Cellulose Gum" according to the manufacturers website. There add goes on to say:
"Don't scratch it! If you've ever suffered from poison oak or ivy, you know what you need: fast, healing relief! The potent B Vitamins, Camphor, Echinacea and Calendula Extracts in Itch Nix deliver cool, soothing relief within seconds."
I must say, I did not exerience "cool soothing relief in seconds", in fact the act of applying the gel to the sores, got my rash to itching for several minutes, before easing. I can say however, there was a very noticeable drying effect from the combination treatment. After several days, when the Chinese formula arrived, I noticed a very dramatic decrease in the itching from the rash. I continued to take the Yin Qiao twice a day for about 10 days, which included a couple days symptom free.
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