Oh no...poison ivy in my eyes! Eep!

[houlahoops]

So I've had poison ivy before and I tend to have a moderate reaction to it. Usually it's gone within a couple of weeks (assuming I don't fuss at it, which I usually do). But the other day when I was cleaning I left my boxing gloves out on top of the shed. Unfortunately, I'd also left my pruning shears there earlier (forgetting that I had been using them to cut down the poison ivy around the house).

When you box, you sweat, and when you're me, you wipe away the sweat without bothering to take your gloves off. I realized what had happened as soon as my eyes started to burn and itch and I flushed them with water (and threw away my contacts). I have a few raised patches of the rash around my right eye and on my cheeks (as of now, approximately 30 minutes after the initial exposure).

Normally I wouldn't worry about it, but I'm supposed to leave the country in two days: not a lot of time to deal with anything that proposes any risk to my sight (eye infections, etc): there isn't exactly a lot of cheap, quality medical care hanging out in the Kenyan bush.

Two questions:
1) How do I sterilize my gloves?
2) How do I minimize the chance that this gets bad enough that I need actual medical care? How do I get any remaining oils out of my eyes?

Ahhhh!!!

 

[JessLough]

Honestly, I'd talk to a doctor explain the situation and get anything you may need if it DOES get bad before you leave.

As far as sterilizing gloves... I suggest fire.

 

[StephyMei1112]

^
Hear, hear.

Rubbing alcohol perhaps? if fire can't be used.

 

[houlahoops]

My eyes are falling off. (not actually but I may need to duct tape my hands to something while I sleep). Jess, I called this evening but couldn't get anyone...I will definitely try tomorrow morning but in the meantime I want to get the oils off as best I can. I don't have any more on my face, but I think there may still be some in my eyes. So far as I know I can't use Technu or anything else in my eyes.

The gloves are expensive as I use them for competition as well as training...I will try the rubbing alcohol though tomorrow morning.

Also, I think this is another piece of evidence towards my theory that plants hate my guts and want me to die a horrible death.

 

[MinPinOwner]

Fire with poison ivy is a very bad idea. The oils will go into the air and can get into your lungs.

 

[JessLough]

I just looked online a bit, and the consensus seemed to be to rinse your eyes out with water for 5 minutes, then close your eyes tight and let the tear ducts run/rid of oil left.

ETA: It also suggested doctor if it's not gone away soon because steroids may be needed, so yah, better tomorrow than struggling while you're away!

 

[Linds]

I have nothing to add other than I'm sooooo sorry and my eyes are watering just reading this. I hope it doesn't get too bad and clears up fast. Really fast.

 

[Locke]

Maybe try this?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/tecnu-outdoor-skin-cleanser/ID=prod3984826-product

 

[sillysally]

If you can't get ahold of your regular doctor I would be searching for an urgent care facility.

 

[Renee750il]

Any better today?

Not sure if you can get it OTC, but there are opthalmic cortisone creams and drops available.

 

[LindaJD]

I got poison Ivy really bad a few times as a teenager. I was hospitilized for it twice, once for 2 weeks. Someone in my neighborhood was burning it and it got into my lungs and my eyes were swollen shut. I looked so bad when I was brought into the emergency room, the nurses all thought I had been in a car accident. They covered the mirror in my hospital room so I wouldn't freak out when I could finally open my eyes. I haven't gotten it that bad in over 20 years thank god. When my kids would get poison ivy, I always brought them right to the doctor if it was on their face.

 

[JoLeigh]

Sterilize with vinegar DO NOT USE BLEACH since you rub near your eyes and it is most likely out of habit and that is the last thing you want in your eyes!.

If you havent you really should see a doctor take it from some one who had it so badly on there face their blood vessels STILL are weak and burst often, that was over a decade ago!