Help! Strange Allergy Reaction

[cortsmommy]

About a week ago I started itching on my arms. It was poison ivy. I got a nasty rash but I treated it with Calamine. It kept getting worse and blistering up but I wasn't too worried.

Yesterday my whole body started itching. I have these bumps all over, its what a doc would call Dermatitis, def not poison ivy.

Well the worst part is that the Dermatitis is all over my face and my lips and eyes are swollen. Its not so bad to be really scary but enough to be really uncomfortable.

What could this mean?? I never knew I was allergic to anything but obviously I must be.

Is it most likely related to the poison ivy somehow??

I've been taking Benedryl to help curb the reaction. It hasn't helped a whole lot though. Is there anything else I should try?

[Meiri]

When I hear about a reaction like involving someone's face, I have to suggest seeing a doctor. There's just too much too close--airway, eyes--to fool around with IMO if home treatment hasn't helped.

Benedryl was the right thing to do as I understand that poison ivy is essentially an allergic reaction.

My MIL and SIL get really bad reactions to poison ivy and invariably have to see a doc for effective treatment. It doesn't matter what they do or how quickly they apply the home remedies either.

One thing you can do is to make certain that you have washed any and every bit of clothing that might have come into contact with the plants in very hot water with good detergent. This is to get the oil out. That oil can provoke a reaction years afterwards if not washed out.