Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 23, 2010 - 04:45pm PT
|
The first time was about 6 years ago. Now it’s happened again. I have what looks like really bad poison oak, but I got it in Joshua Tree.
It came on fast and hard, a festering weeping rash on one leg, abdomen and one arm. I’ll spare you any pictures. Got so bad yesterday I ran down to the ER. Its not shingles.
Diagnosis: contact dermatitis. But contact with what?
Both incidents occurred in the same month of April. There is no poison oak in Joshua Tree.
They gave me a shot in the ass of steroids, I am taking MethylPrednizone and Benadryl. Looks like I’ll live…
Any of you medical types or plant experts have an idea about what this could be?
Thanks,
(Itchy, messy) Kris
|
|
Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 04:56pm PT
|
Poodledog maybe? Though it doesn't seem like a plant that would thrive at Josh.
You been hiking above Monrovia? In an old burn area? Poodledog comes after a fire, a lot of folks are allergic to it.
|
|
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:06pm PT
|
you been only in Josh for the last several days?
how about any dogs or old laundry you've been in touch with in the last several days that may have exposure to PO?
good luck mang
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 05:09pm PT
|
99% sure the exposure was in Josh. Probably Future Games area.
Pate, this one did not involve a woman. You made me laugh though, right now I'll thank you for that.
Poodledog? I'll look it up.
|
|
Tan Slacks
climber
Joshua Tree
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:16pm PT
|
Kris,
This may not be the case for you, but my daughter has a severe reaction to "pin cushion" out here. It strikes her every spring. This spring is very bad for that plant. We are able to control her break outs with prescription topical ointments. I have never seen anything like it until I saw it on my daughter.
Good luck, whatever it is.
Tan
|
|
Anxious Melancholy
Mountain climber
Between the Depths of Despair & Heights of Folly
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:16pm PT
|
Sumac
|
|
Gary
climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:22pm PT
|
Poodledog:
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 05:24pm PT
|
Tan I think you are onto something. I just googled that plant and looked at pictures. I was taking close up shots of those things on Sunday, they are all over the place up there right now.
Interesting, the scientific name is scabiosa columbara. Apparently this plant is alleged to have curative powers for itching. Not on me, the way it looks...
edit: Thanks Gary. I don't recall seeing any of that out there.
|
|
adam d
climber
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 06:39pm PT
|
By, "Pincushion" do you mean one of the phacelias? I forget exactly the name of it (and haven't found it in a brief search) but one of the phacelias in the park can bring on poison oak like rashes in some people.
|
|
Brian
climber
California
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 06:44pm PT
|
Ksolem,
Ouch. Hope you heal quickly.
Not to thread drift, but I got on Seizure last weekend and just want to congratulate you on a great little route. It's really freakin hard! I couldn't get close on the crux move by the 4th bolt, and had some real trouble getting up to the 3rd. Well done!
Also, Hang 'em High at Future Games is superb.
Thanks for the very fine routes.
Brian
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 07:06pm PT
|
These pics are from Future Games area Sunday. I looked at Pincushion on line - it seems that flower has a lot of different varieties. Some look similar to this:
Google of Phacelia got me California Bluebell. I was crawling around in those getting pics of a pair of chuckwallas.
Brian, glad yopu enjoy those routes. Thanks for the kind words. You must be a glutton for punishment! Ever check out that Games Without Frontiers on Future Games? Paul Borne got in a good one there.
|
|
matty
Trad climber
los arbor
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:11pm PT
|
Hey Kris, I feel your pain, I got a lil PO last week bouldering, and I usually get it BAD, luckily I had to cross the stream several times so it mostly washed off my legs. Been to hospital before, shots etc... Hope you feel better soon.
Matt
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:11pm PT
|
Geez Kris, sounds like what I get when I see big runouts but I know you're not susceptible to that. Heal up!
|
|
Brian
climber
California
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:13pm PT
|
I think "Games" is beyond me given that it is in the same league as "Seizure"--and I couldn't really do that route justice. Brilliant moves, but a bit above my grade right now! Maybe one day...
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 07:18pm PT
|
I Googled Phacelia allergy... There are tons of scientific articles on this subject. Here's the abstract from one:
The major contact allergen of Phacelia crenulata (Hydrophyllaceae) has been identified as geranylhydroquinone. A maximization test of geranylhydroquinone showed this to be a potent sensitizer comparable in degree to poison oak/ivy urushiol. Comparative patch testing on humans with urushiol established that the phacelia allergen does not cross-react with poison oak or ivy.
Yeah Jan, I was crawling around in those bastards...
|
|
G_Gnome
Trad climber
In the mountains... somewhere...
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:23pm PT
|
Well at least you know what to avoid in the future.
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 09:06pm PT
|
hey there, ksolem... say, glad to see you solved the mystery... now, next time, you will have victory... :)
take care, hope you are better soon...
god bless...
:)
|
|
justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
|
|
|
Apr 23, 2010 - 11:14pm PT
|
Yikes Kris- who knew??? Good to know the Phacelia is probably the culprit. I pretty much get contact dermatitis from everything under the sun and Mr. E goes totally systemic with PO so I think we will both stay clear. I've been out there every weekend but I haven't touched any of those.
Get well soon
Skip
|
|
Watusi
Social climber
Newport, OR
|
|
|
Apr 24, 2010 - 02:06am PT
|
Anyone remember Datura? Had a friend go blind, (for luckily a limited amount of time,) but it definitely was no fun for him...
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!