I have a solution of 8% calamine and a solution of 14% calamine. The problem with the calamine is that it rubs off. All over the baby.I learned the hard way that it’s best to nurse him before applying the lotion. I fear his pajamas will be stained sickly pink forever.
Yesterday, while the Fiendling napped FOR THREE HOURS!! I found that my newest neurotic cleaning obsession (scrubbing the kitchen floor on hands and knee with a bucket of hot water and pine sol) was also a bit of a relief. I wonder if it’s the pine cleaner or the hot water or a combination. Or maybe it’s just that it took my mind off the itching, because I didn’t itch at yoga either.
Today on a trip to my favorite superstore I’ll pick up some Aveen0 or oatmeal and perhaps the Fiendling will nap and allow me to take a bath later this afternoon before I go to the podiatrist. (Because my doctor’s appointments, like my illnesses are nothing but ill-timed. I mean, seriously, couldn’t I have gotten poison ivy when I had a dermatologist appointment scheduled?)
The good news is that the Fiendling slept all night. He went to bed late, around 11.30, but he didn’t wake to eat until close to 7, then went back to sleep until close to 10. I may be itchy, but I’m well-rested and itchy and I’m grateful for that.
Even when he hasn’t been sleeping (I scrubbed the kitchen, mopped the downstairs, vacuumed upstairs and did three loads of laundry during his nap yesterday), he has been delightful these past few days, talkative and smily and laughing for no reason. He’s not officially crawling yet, but he’s so close it’s ridiculous. It’s amazing to get glimpses of the little boy he’ll become. Fiendling’s playing so intently right now, rearranging his toys, eating Big Bird’s beak in his pop-up book, moving in circles, that it’s hard to remember when he was just this lump who didn’t do much of anything. I remember when playing meant lying on his back and staring. I remember when he added flailing to the mix, as a precursor to grabbing. He’s so big now. He’ll be talking back in no time.
For those of you who’ve had it (Lori), how long does poison ivy take to go away? When do the blisters disappear and how long until the itching stops? Will it be this bad for two whole weeks?
oz | 28-Sep-06 at 9:41 pm | Permalink
Wow, you do a lot of cleaning. Is that satisfying for you? Something you enjoy? I can’t imagine getting 3 hours of baby unconsciousness and spending ANY of it on my hands and knees scrubbing a floor.
Jane | 28-Sep-06 at 10:11 pm | Permalink
I get poison ivy (or oak or sumac) at least once a year and it always lasts five days, with the third day being the worst.
Also - we eat Pina’s pizza a lot and love the box. I think it’s hilarious.
girlfiend | 28-Sep-06 at 10:23 pm | Permalink
Oz, the older I get, the more neurotic about cleaning I become. I’m not OCD or anything, I just can’t stand to look at a mess. I’m turning into my dad, who vacuumed twice a day when my cats stayed with him.
Jane- While I was offended, I also found the box hilarious. Which is why we’ve kept it and shown it to everyone we know.
Lori | 29-Sep-06 at 9:09 am | Permalink
Whoops, I didn’t check your blog sooner. Sorry.
The rash lasted a good 10 days, but the itching stopped well before that. It itched for maybe four days. Then it just looked ugly for another week.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Lawmummy | 02-Oct-06 at 10:49 pm | Permalink
Gosh, I hate that I didn’t check sooner.
Run to the store and buy Technu. It costs a million dollars but it’s worth it.
Poison ivy lasts about a week and a half. You should be feeling better really soon. In the interim, try the Technu. And if the itching has stopped but it’s just uncomfortable, try Calamine.
I am a one stop poison ivy remedy wonder. I am allergic to it and I get it every year, sometimes twice, and once while I was pregnant and thought I might die. I’ve tried everything. Technu. Ahh…