THE cure.

So, I believe this week has been the LONGEST week of my life thus far. Last week, on Friday to be exact - I checked myself into the emergency room with symptoms of: severe abdominal pain, uncomfortable swelling, nausea, dizziness, and feeling faint. 20 gauge IV, 525 CC of disgusting liquid, and a cat scan later - results revealed a small ovarian cyst. Sent home with pain and nausea medication and a follow-up request with my OBGYN.

If things couldn't get anymore interesting, a slight rash on my face starting that Friday transformed into full-fledged poison ivy by Tuesday morning. I had been experimenting with different face washes and moisturizers lately in hopes to cleanse and moisturize enough so that my face was fresh and dewy not oily and dry. Product after product I wasn't getting anywhere. How I came in contact with poison ivy - no clue.

So, another doctor appointment on Wednesday morning. Sent home with two scripts - one for a steroid pill pack (4mg, 21 pills taken over 6 days) and an amped up benedryl script to help with redness, itching, swelling, and to ensure I get some sleep. Also, suggestions from my doctor such as using hydrocortisone cream 1% on my face for itching (topical steroid) or calamine lotion. Now, I have used both these products before when I had my first case of poison ivy back in 2001. No adverse reactions resulted. So I thought, what the heck? I couldn't be allergic to those now. HA! I could hear the world laughing at me. I put both on my face (not simultaneously) and it made the rash worse!

I was getting really desperate at this point and started a googling frenzy. Website after website held the same advice that I had received from my doctor. After looking through some tips using homeopathic/household item methods, I came across "baking soda and water". Seeing as it was almost 11:00 at night, I wasn't going to tackle this beast till morning.

I gave my mother a call the next morning so upset that my face was not clearing up. She also suggested "baking soda and water". She said make a paste with it and put it all over the places that were consumed by the poison ivy. After a single application, the redness and itchiness noticeably faded. I was amazed at how well it worked. I applied this about 10 times since then and I'm on day 4 of my steroid pack. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone that can't seem to find THE cure to your poison ivy ailment.

Definitely an experience packed into one week. And it being the week before school starts, I can officially say "Thank GOD for baking soda, water, and pain pills ;)"