You can certainly pass my sympathies to your husband, Karen. I had a very similar reaction to a high dose of nat mur last Fall, except that it had affected both arms & legs. It was pretty disgusting. I had to wear my kids' cotton tights around my forearms to keep from oozing through my dress shirt at work. thankfully, my homeopath switched me to rhus tox, and that cleared me up (in my case) real fast. In your husband's case it looks like a proving from repeated high doses. Has it been suggested to you to have the rhus tox antidoted? Best of luck.

RF

Anacardium is an antidote to Rhus tox. I too hope you can get him the remedy ASAP.

Here are some other antidotes for Rhus: aconite, ammonium carbonicum, belladonna, bryonia, camphora, coffea, clematis, croton-tiglia, graphites, guaiacum, grindelia, lachesis, ranunculus bulbosa, sulphur, and sepia

Divina

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...and deliverance has many faces<br />but grace<br />is an aquaintance of mine

Thanks Divina for a list of other antidotes. I will go the the Acton pharmacy in a few minutes. His condition hasn't gotten any worse in the last 24hrs and might be slightly better. His mood is pretty much the same - resigned to the fact that this is going to take time to go away.

For the next time my husband gets poison ivy (which will probably be in a couple of weeks) what should I do? Is there a way I can build up his immune system? When I was last at the Acton pharmacy purusing the homeopathic cures, I noticed a mixture that said it was specifically for Poison Ivy/Oak. It contained "Rhus Tox 6x, Hpus; Croton Tiglium 6x, Hpus; Xerophyllum 6x, Hpus in a base of Lactos, USP" The directions say to disolve 2-3 tables under tongue every 2 hours as needed, then 4 times per day. If you don't have enough information (and you probably don't) to answer these questions that's fine. I just thought I would ask since you all seem to be very knowledgable.

Again, thanks for all the help and advice you have provided.
-Karen

Oh, please AVOID all combination remedies such as the one you described above, "specifically" for Poison Ivy/Poison Oak. If you use it at all, you will not be able to use any of the listed remedies (the bona fide homeopathic substances) in the combo to treat poison ivy exposure once it happens. Combo remedies are not homeopathy, no matter what the manufacturer says. They have not been tested in the body for their effect, and no one knows what they do in the body (though homeopaths have enough evidence by now to know that they are not conducive to health or healing).

I don't know if there is any way to build up immunity to rhus tox poisoning, as these oils are generally offensive to everyone. Certainly some people don't react to them as badly as others--but that is really more an issue of "the luck of the draw" than one of allergy or sensitivity to the plant's oils...so, contrary to what some people will tell you, there really is no way to build up a tolerance to the substances of the plant. Poison Ivy should just be avoided, or approached with proper cautionary measures in place. The plant is recognizable and it should not be approached, especially if one has already experienced its effects...as are most plants in that botanical family (ranunculus). Reactions to the toxins in the plant are different from, say, having sensitivies or allergies to molds or pollens.

Hope you can get that anacardium to him!

Divina

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...and deliverance has many faces<br />but grace<br />is an aquaintance of mine

Divina,
Thanks for all the great advice. I just called the N.E. homeopathic center and they just received some anacarduim 12c so I'm going to go pick some up. To make sure I don't foul it up again, previously, you said 1 dose only and watch for a couple of hours. I have 2 quick questions: Does 1 dose mean 1 12c pillule? and secondly, what should he notice? Should the swelling begin to subside? Remember, he doesn't have any pain, itching, burning at this point just swelling and oozing.

Lastly, since I have so many questions is there a book you can recommend to answer some of my more basic questions and get me up to speed on the philosophy and basics of homeopathy? I feel bad asking all these basic questions.

Thanks,
-Karen

Karen, my first exposure to Homeopathy was with George Vithoulkas' "Science of Homeopathy"; his models for disease & homeopathic cure made a lot of sense for me at the time.

For non-homeopathic relief of poison ivy, try a VERY hot shower (as hot as you can stand it) as soon as you (or your husband) notice the onset of the rash; it's supposed to open the pores & flush out a lot of the volatile oils. I actually know people who've tried this with good success. On the flip side, I'm not sure how good this would be for someone who's super-sensitive to poson ivy. Can't hurt to try, though.

RF

One dose = 1 pillule

Your husband might find he doesn't have problem with Poison ivy any more after taking the Rhus Tox. If he does give 1 dose only!!

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RSHom - Registered Homeopath