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PV and Poison Ivy
Started Besremi roughly one month ago. Last weekend I started trimming some of the shrubs in the backyard. I wasn’t frolicking around in between the bushes, just trimming overgrowth. Nevertheless, the next day I started seeing some rash on my arms and legs, areas that weren’t covered. Over the next week, the rash got ugly. I treated it by attempting to remove the oils with pumice soap, dish soap, applying topicals, and taking antihistamines and steroids. Nothing has made a dent in the rash. Matter of fact, it looks as if it’s spread. Yesterday I called UVA’s Cancer center’s on called Dr. they prescribed a steroidal ointment and will be checking in. The Dr stated the Besremi might have degraded or stunted my immune system and we’ll have to keep a close eye on it. She also stated I should stay away from crowds and, especially anyone who is sick. I’ve included a pic of one of the bad rash areas on my leg.
Has anyone experienced anything like this?
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@carb7007. Yikes! That is a mean case of Poison Ivy…so painful and itchy!! 😳
As the on-call doctor stated, this hyper reaction to the oils may be due to your weakened immune system from the Besremi. Any of the meds used to treat PV, such as HU or Jakafi will do the same. Just having a blood condition can also lower the body’s defense system’s ability to fight infections whether they’re bacterial, fungal or viral.
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry this has happened to you! But I do thank you for sharing with us because it is a reminder that we can’t let our guard down when we’re taking immunotherapy drugs.
As a refresher for people taking immunosuppression drugs including any chemotherapy, hydroxyurea, Jakafi, Besremi, Vidaza, Venetoclax, etc., here is a guideline for safety from the National Foundation for Cancer Research
https://www.nfcr.org/blog/infection-prevention-and-staying-safe-during-cancer-treatment/
I hope the steroid cream makes short work of your Poison Ivy infection and you recover quickly! Keep an eye on your temperature daily. If you develop of fever of 100.4, call your oncology team ASAP. Infections can run amok fairly quickly.
I remember having Poison Ivy as a kid…it was awful! How are you managing the itch and agony of this rash?
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2 ReactionsBest to avoid any additional home remedies that irritate.
Steroid ointment is the best treatment as they are reluctant to give
you oral prednisone since you are immunocompromised.
Make sure tools are washed before reused. Avoid harsh soaps.
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3 ReactionsI've not experienced this. However your story is cautionary for me. I live to garden. I am so sorry that you are going through this. The closest I've come is Virginia creeper. That evil vine is just about as bad.
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1 ReactionJust passing along something I ran across since dealing with this poison ivy issue. A Dr from UVA stated oral steroids would further degrade my already compromised immune system. That made me wonder if dietary precautions are necessary. I did a search and found that my diet should be high in fiber and other microbiome supporting foods. Here’s a link to a cancer center’s recommendation:
https://healthonline.washington.edu/sites/default/files/record_pdfs/Diet%20for%20Immunosuppressed%20Patients.pdf
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3 Reactions@loribmt
Well Lori, this explains my reaction to cedar this summer.
I have PV and am taking HU.
This summer I trimmed the cedar bushes/trees as I have done for many years. This time I ended up with red rashes on my hands and arms, which I never had when trimming them before. Now reading your explanation of a weakened immune system on HU with hyper reaction to oils makes sense.
Just started the HU in February, so learning as I go to how my body reacts. Also, I have found those burn relief gels with lidocaine and aloe really relieve the pain and itching better than cortisol cream for me. Solarcaine used to make this, but I found the WalMart brand works great.
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2 Reactions@loribmt
Prior to my transplant I had extreme sensitivity to poison ivy even getting it in the winter touching firewood in snow that had contacted poison ivy. Now after my transplant and having a completely new immune system I wonder if that sensitivity is gone. I wish I knew if my transplant donor is sensitive. Regardless, I still avoid it like the plague given I don’t want to risk taking any more steroids.
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2 Reactions@g4c Hi Greg, Wow, you really had a high sensitivity to poison ivy! I’ve heard of people picking it up from pet fur but not from firewood. That makes sense though if the wood was near the weed. I wonder how long the oils from PI remain reactive.
I’d like to know my donor’s allergy history too! I suspect he must have been pretty healthy because I no longer have ‘hay fever’ allergies in the fall when rag weed blooms and my sensitivity to almonds has disappeared. I was really cautious reintroducing myself to foods like shellfish, peanut butter, etc. I am now allergic to walnuts where I wasn’t before.
At least you’ve had contact with your donor. It would be fun to ask him if he has any allergies. Haha but don’t have him test out the poison ivy. 😂
Be careful out on the trails!
@petoskeyb Your reaction to cedar is really interesting! Thanks for sharing…because I was trimming cedars the other day and had a rash on the area above my gloves! Never put 2 + 2 together that it could be the oils from the cedar! I washed my arms with naphtha soap and put aloe on the area. It’s fine now.
But this is the first time in 8 years that I have personally trimmed the cedars after having a bone marrow transplant. Huh! Well, LOL, I think I’ll go back to my supervisory roll and let my husband take over the grunt work! 😂.
Thanks again for sharing this! An ah-ha moment for sure!