Rash

[gja1000]

Hi guys, welp I've got another horrible rash on my face again. I'm not sure if you remember that I had a horrible case of poison ivy last fall on my face. Since then I've had minor rashes on my face when I would work in the yard and forget to wear gloves. Well, Tuesday I spontaneously decided to pull some grass from my garden. I did it with my bare hands without thinking and when I realized what I was doing, I made sure to wash my hands really well when I came in. I guess that wasn't enough because the rash and welps started yesterday and by last night it was really really bad. My eyes were so swollen this morning. Fortunately, I got in to see my nurse practitioner and got a steroid shot and pills to take for a few days. I already feel better. Whew! But of course I hate steroids, I can't sleep and I'm hungry all the time! :mad:

[Blueyes]

Oh no!! I wonder what it is that you're allergic to? The steroids are worth the side effects, since they should help fast. Do your eyes itch?

[gja1000]

I think what happened is when I got such a bad case of poison ivy last fall, it made the skin on my face hyper-sensitive to almost everything plant based. A few months after my bout with poison ivy, I pulled a weed in the yard - a very common weed i have pulled with my bare hands many many times, and I developed a pretty bad rash on my face. I knew it was from pulling the weed, and I knew it wasn't poison ivy. Nevertheless, the rash was very annoying. It wasn't nearly as bad as the poison ivy, but it was uncomfortable. Then, when I was in Colorado last month, I rubbed some pine needles between my fingers so I could smell the scent of pine. Then in a couple of days I had just a few whelps on my face, but it didn't get bad and went away in a few days. I don't know WHY I decided to pull out the grass in the garden with my bare hands, you'd think I'd know by now NOT TO DO THAT!I just think the terrible bout of poison ivy has made the skin on my face extremely sensitive to all plant based oils. I'm just going to have to be very very careful now. I must always wear gloves when I'm handling plants. GRRRRR! :mad:

[2tiredmom]

Gayle, I hope you are feeling better today. Gotta love steroids. I was on them for 9 months once and my face ballooned out and I gained 30 pounds. So glad when i got off of them. Sounds like an allergy to plants to me. I have never heard of anyone being allergic to them all. But then i don't get out much. ha ha. Feel better and don't forget your gloves. :)

[judy]

I hope this oversensitivity goes away! In the meantime, at least you have the steroids! Wear gloves whenever you touch green stuff!

[Janet]

Okay...no more green stuff for you young lady!! You must wear gloves, you must wear gloves. Hope the steroids work to make it go away!!

[DianaB]

Oh no!! I've never heard of that happening! I agree with Janet....wear gloves!!

[Blueyes]

Maybe you should wear a face mask too, in case any of the plant oils are airborne when pulled. I hate that you are so allergic to something that you love doing!

[judy]

The neighbors will think you are a serial killer Gayle! Digging in the garden wearing a mask and gloves? What is she really digging there, hmmm??

[gja1000]

I may take Betsi's advice and wear a face mask. Maybe I should get a Jason mask from TX Chainsaw Massacre. Judy, the neighbors will REALLY wonder what I am doing.

[Blueyes]

Or you could get a marker and draw on a huge Joker smile:p They would think you've gone 'round the bend:rolleyes:

[DianaB]

That would all be hilarious!!!

[judy]

I like the Joker face!!!;););)

[gja1000]

You guys are so incredibly hilarious! :D

[judy]

If you can't laugh about it......

[Janet]

I hope your rash is clearing up Gayle. Does it cause you much discomfort?

[gja1000]

Yes, it's much better. I'm so glad!

[DianaB]

Oh Yay!!! I'm glad that you're better!!

[gja1000]

Thanks I am much better! I'm still itching a little bit from time to time, but it is 100% better than before.

[Janet]

That's great news. I bet you got tired of explaining to everyone what was going on. Hope the itching stops soon.

[2tiredmom]

Glad to hear you are better Gayle. Will still keep you in my prayers. :)