[pct-l] questions about poison oak recovery

[Ken Murray]

Marion,

I'm very sorry to hear about your misery, but in one sense it makes me happy.....I was supposed to be involved in teaching that training, but pulled out due to the low turnout. Inasmuch as I get TERRIBLE poison oak, I'm glad I missed the misery.

In terms of doing better, what you need to do is more effectively hydrate the affected area. The betadine was useful for what must have been infection, but you should be long past that now, with the oral antibiotic treatment. Betadine is VERY drying and can be irritating, which sounds like your case.

The two options I recommend to my patients are either a relatively a thick cream, or Aloe Vera Gel.

I've always believed that AV Gel has healing properties, and this probably comes from my days at a burn unit, where we used it very liberally for first-degree and the healing phase of second degree burns. It's my favorite for things like you describe, but creams like Eucerin (NOT lotions.....they are very drying, which is one of their main uses medically) Something that comes in a tub or a tube and is thick.

I like to apply whatever you choose hourly or even more often. You'll be surprised how fast they absorb.

Best of luck, and heal quickly.

Ken Murray, MD