Poison oak - again?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Discussion at my house this morning - Is it genetic or environmental?  I say environmental and my husband says there is a genetic component.  But Harpo and I have it again.  I am very allergic and have it now in my eyes and Harpo has it all over.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Thanks and if I ever come across any scientific information, I will be glad to share it with you.  I thought you were a doctor because of the information you share with all of us here at DK.  This was a young doctor at Kaiser many years ago (40?) and another young doctor there also told me that I should try cranberry juice for my bladder infections. So, I am not reluctant to try something holistic rather than scientific.  My FIL (98 years old) and my mother (97 years old) are very anti-drug and hate to even go to a doctor because they (doctors) tend to treat with medications and they are against that.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have nothing against holistic things that have some merit and studies have shown some efficacy in cranberries to ward off bladder infections. And who can argue with a 97 and 98 year old about health? But some natural things are hokum and some medications and medical procedures are certainly life saving.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Agreed!

[Bonnie and Kona]

So sorry you are struggling with this again. It's the pits. Kona and I get it; DH and Owen do not. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Kona and Owen are your dogs?  What kind are they?  So, do you feel that one type of dog is more amenable to poison oak than another?  Both of my labradoodles were sensitive to poison oak but the goldendoodle has never had it.  Maybe the hair patterns.  The labradoodles had less hair (and naked bellies) and the goldendoodle has more hair.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Both of them are Goldendoodles. I keep their bellies shaved pretty close. My doodles are both very thick-furred. ;o)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Hmmm, both goldendoodles and one gets PO and the other doesn't?  So it must not be a breed specific ailment.  Any other ideas?

[Bonnie and Kona]

No other ideas. But my DH never gets it, and I get it every time he runs the doodles near a creek in our neighborhood. Kona only gets it occasionally.

[Pat and Traveler]

Ugh!  So sorry!  Bummer to have to worry about this on walks.

I don't know if Trav is sensitive, and hope I never have to find out.  Many years ago when I got poison ivy, it was pretty ugly, so I'm probably sensitive to it.  :(

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Sorry to hear this Lynda.  Seems you are having a bad time with the poison oak and ticks!!  I have warned my daughter because she is up near you and loves to take Luna out on hikes...and now the baby (human) is walking so this could be a problem down the road!!!  I have never experienced poison oak and I want to keep it that way.  My daughter and I are hugely allergic to mosquitos, my son is so so and DH not much at all.  I hate mosquitos!!!  Even here in So, CA right at dusk they come out.  I have my first two bites of the year and all I did was sit in our patio under the umbrella for 1/2 hr around 7:30 PM. I'm for sure keeping Gracie Doodle away from any area that remotely might have poison oak!!!!  Hope things improve.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, I need to tell you how to make a bug catcher.  We made them in my gardening class and the kids were very impressed.  They are great for mosquitoes and "no-see-ums".  I guess I could scan the directions and post them.  You do need a 2-qt plastic bottle which we had problems getting because nobody will drink the crap that comes in these bottles.  Let me know if you want directions.  They are totally non-toxic and WORK.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Nancy said she wanted directions, so I am going to send them to her.  Shall I add your name to the list?