Can you become poison ivy proof?

[mwechtal]

I'm not an allergist, I don't play one on TV and I have not stayed at a Days Inn. However, some of this (most of it) does not compute. Always beware of anecdotal evidence when it comes to medicine. People and their immune systems are too variable to draw any conclusions about how you, Uncle Bob or your friend Timmy respond to poison oak or its various remedies.

N80,
Maybe you can comment. I've heard that at any time you can become sensitive to something you were not previously sensitive to. You can also become insensitive to something you were previously sensitive to. You can even swing back and forth between sensitive and insensitive a few times in a lifetime. Is that true? That would help explain all those people who THOUGHT they were immune.

Mike

 

[LMTC]

Immunity/allergy is a very strange thing. I once inoculated a sow with a typical vaccine, all went well. Second inoculation (maybe a few weeks later...it's been a long time since I rasied hogs), that sow fell flat down in about 30 seconds. Only a handy syringe of epinephrine saved her. I reckon the first one sensitized her.

I grew up getting poison ivy seasonally, sometimes to the point of requiring medical attention. Somewhere in my late 20s, early 30s, my sensitivity seemed to dramatically decrease. Now I get only the most mild outbreak even if I intentionally handle the stuff.

I've always had bizarre reactions/allergies to a wide variety of antibiotics (I was usually treated with sulfa as a child, as it was all I could tolerate). Took keflex ok 2-3x as an adult, then one time had a severe anaphylactic response (thankfully I was in an ER in 15 minutes). Turns out I was unloading feed about an hour before taking the keflex, ER doc suggested I inhaled some aflatoxin or other mold(s) which caused a reaction with the keflex. All I know is I couldn't speak by the time I got to the ER.

I do a lot of my own doctorin', but this is one area way too complicated for my brain. I think Epi-pens should be available over the counter. I don't think they use that to make meth..........('course I think paregoric and lots of stuff should still be available over the counter)

 

[N80]

So what about the idea of eating locally made honey helping with local allergies? Is that just an old wive's tale too?

Hard to say. I would guess that most of the allergens would be broken down in the digestive tract and would be rendered non-allergenic. But, if some of them survive digestion and make it into the bloodstream in sufficient doses to generate an immune response but not a full blown allergic reaction, then sure, it could work. But that's a lot of if's.

 

[N80]

N80,
Maybe you can comment. I've heard that at any time you can become sensitive to something you were not previously sensitive to. You can also become insensitive to something you were previously sensitive to. You can even swing back and forth between sensitive and insensitive a few times in a lifetime. Is that true? That would help explain all those people who THOUGHT they were immune.

Mike

Again, I'm not an allergist and quite a bit of allergy/immunology remains voodoo to me, but I'd say that yes, people's immune systems can certainly change.

 

[N80]

Immunity/allergy is a very strange thing. I once inoculated a sow with a typical vaccine, all went well. Second inoculation (maybe a few weeks later...it's been a long time since I rasied hogs), that sow fell flat down in about 30 seconds. Only a handy syringe of epinephrine saved her. I reckon the first one sensitized her.

That's correct.

I think Epi-pens should be available over the counter. I don't think they use that to make meth..........('course I think paregoric and lots of stuff should still be available over the counter)

I vaguely remember paregoric as a child.

As for OTC epi-pens, I disagree. For someone with heart disease (especially undiagnosed coronary artery disease or arrythmia) an epi-pen could be lethal.

 

[LMTC]

As for OTC epi-pens, I disagree. For someone with heart disease (especially undiagnosed coronary artery disease or arrythmia) an epi-pen could be lethal.

So could stepping in front of a moving bus, so we'll have to agree to disagree. I've watched too many liberties, access to too many relatively simple things, all given up in my short lifetime in the name of safety. Heck, peanuts are lethal for some folks too. If you choose to buy and use an epi-pen without making yourself aware of the potentials (and it's not as if there isn't plenty of information available), it becomes the individual's problem. Fact is I can get many drugs via veterinary routes (without prescriptions) that have human application/uses.

Paregoric was a blend of opium, benzoic acid, anise oil that tasted wretched, but worked wonders on diarrhea and intestinal cramping. It was frontline treatment for anything remotely GI flu-like. It, and variants, saved many a pioneer's life when they came down with dysentery or similar ailment. But because some yahoos abuse the drugs in it, it first became a "show ID and sign for it" item, and then was removed. Just like simple codeine compounds, still available in many first-world countries, but not here. Ever read of the rash of codeine overdose deaths in Australia, Spain, or the other countries that allow over the counter sales of codeine? Nope.

Are you old enough to remember Zomax (zomepirac sodium)? A wonder drug for someone like me who at the time was going to a pain control clinic. Mfr. instructions were very specific about NOT taking any aspirin while using it...so what happens? A dozen or so dufi (is that the plural of dufus, or would it be dufuses?) died, all documented to have been on aspirin therapy, and McNeil pulls the drug under FDA pressure. My ortho surgeon still says it is one of perhaps many marvelous drugs not in use due to a very small population's reaction.

Sorry, I realize this is way off topic....

 

[N80]

So could stepping in front of a moving bus, so we'll have to agree to disagree.

I'm not sure I can follow your logic here.

I've watched too many liberties, access to too many relatively simple things, all given up in my short lifetime in the name of safety.

Okay.

If you choose to buy and use an epi-pen without making yourself aware of the potentials (and it's not as if there isn't plenty of information available), it becomes the individual's problem.

That's convoluted logic. There are lots of substances and lots of activities that require more than the average level of common sense and training to handle and to do. That's why I don't fly jet airliners and your local barber doesn't do brain surgery.

Fact is I can get many drugs via veterinary routes (without prescriptions) that have human application/uses.

You can buy ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel too.

Paregoric was a blend of opium, benzoic acid, anise oil that tasted wretched, but worked wonders on diarrhea and intestinal cramping. It was frontline treatment for anything remotely GI flu-like. It, and variants, saved many a pioneer's life when they came down with dysentery or similar ailment.

Actually, all of that was what paregoric was supposed to do. Fact is, it works poorly for all of those things and mostly served as a sedative. It is virtually impossible for paregoric to have any lifesaving impact on dysentery. The one thing that it did do was provide the late 1800's and early 1900's with the first 'prescription' drug addicts.

Are you old enough to remember Zomax (zomepirac sodium)? A wonder drug for someone like me who at the time was going to a pain control clinic. Mfr. instructions were very specific about NOT taking any aspirin while using it...so what happens? A dozen or so dufi (is that the plural of dufus, or would it be dufuses?) died, all documented to have been on aspirin therapy, and McNeil pulls the drug under FDA pressure.

A drug that kills you because you make a simple mistake of taking another common medicine has no place in the market. Dead sucks. I'm always amazed how all the drugs that are no longer around were miracle drugs. Seems odd. And forget the FDA pressure theory. Drug companies bail on drugs that will get them sued. If you have a drug that kills people for making a simple mistake, well, that's going to attract laywers...legitimately.

Edited to remove something I should not have said.

For all those libertarians out there, hey, I'm all for it. I make a living helping sick people. You can put every prescription drug and narcotic on the market right there on the counter for all to use. My business would double overnight.

Some things seem simple. Like epinephrine. They're not. It takes a fair amount of expertise to understand proper use. And by 'fair amount', I mean a staggering amount.

Edit: By the way, I just checked, tincture of opium (paregoric without the other stuff, which was useless anyway) is still on the market. And still has no indication for diarrhea.

 

[Spiveyman]

Thanks N80 - just realized you are an MD. I thought your posts were a bit more knowledgeable than most, but I just checked your bio. Even though you're not an allergist, I think your opinions carry some serious weight on this one.

Well, I'm almost to the bottom of my first can of cashews, and I'm actually starting to like them. Maybe this whole urban legend deal was started by a ring of cashew farmer conspiracists intent on boosting sales! They guy that my uncle went to see was a "specialist" and gave him the cashew advice, but then again we're talking very rural KY specialist here. I didn't exactly see the guy's credentials.

The thread's not a total bust though. We've all learned the most important piece of advice out there from DieselPower, find a friend who isn't sensitive to it, and ask them to get rid of it for you!

 

[N80]

Thanks N80 - just realized you are an MD. I thought your posts were a bit more knowledgeable than most, but I just checked your bio. Even though you're not an allergist, I think your opinions carry some serious weight on this one.

Don't forget, this is the internet. I could be a thirteen year old girl in Manhatten.

And just remember that I qualified things: allergy and immunology still seem like voodoo to me.

Well, I'm almost to the bottom of my first can of cashews, and I'm actually starting to like them.

When I evaluate any home remedy or naturalistic medicine the first thing I look at is risk verses benefit. I'm doubtful about the benefit of eating the cashews, but at the same time the risk is low and cashews are delcious. You have nothing to lose so why not give it a try. The worst outcome is that you enjoy some cashews. The best outcome is that you enjoy some cashews and don't get poison oak. Win/win.

 

[Soundguy]

If you are a thirteen yr old girl in MH.. watch out.. there are probably some sentaors or other gov't employees ( like that assistant DA in florida...) crusing around looking to chat with you... etc.

Soundguy

Don't forget, this is the internet. I could be a thirteen year old girl in Manhatten.

And just remember that I qualified things: allergy and immunology still seem like voodoo to me.



When I evaluate any home remedy or naturalistic medicine the first thing I look at is risk verses benefit. I'm doubtful about the benefit of eating the cashews, but at the same time the risk is low and cashews are delcious. You have nothing to lose so why not give it a try. The worst outcome is that you enjoy some cashews. The best outcome is that you enjoy some cashews and don't get poison oak. Win/win.