Devon broke out in welts

Poor Devon, he came home from practice tonight with a rash all over the left side of his neck, the left side of his shoulder blade and all over the lower part of his back - this also had welts larger than a quarter.  He also had a rash on his legs and forearms.

It looks like he may have touched something during XC practice that was poisonous.  Having the oils on his hands, he spread the contamination to other parts of his body.  Anywhere that he would have rubbed or scratched is now broken out in a rash/welt.

There was, what Devon thought was a broken branch, on the ground that he moved.  He didn't think anything of it at the time, but now he wonders if it wasn't a Poison Ivy or Poison Oak root.  He said there were no leaves on it to identify it.  This same thing happened to Mark last year and he ended up on prescription medication as the only way to get rid of the rash.

Oh my gosh!  Number one, he is allergic and asthmatic.  We had to treat this quickly and efficiently to remove the oils from his body, reduce the earge to itch or scratch (which Devon absolutely has no self-control to keep from itching - as evident from his reaction to mosquito bites), and reduce the swelling and inflammation.   We need to keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't effect his breathing.

Number two, I can't believe his bad luck.  Tomorrow is one of the biggest races for his XC season because it is the most promising for a PR, but now with this rash = uggh!  Almost every meet there has been an issue - last week he was allergic to the horses at the horse park.  I feel so bad for him because all he wants to do is show his coach he is improving (and prove to himself the hard work is worth it).

We have had him wash his hands thoroughly with dish soap, then washed each area - careful not to spread it with the same soap.  At the same time we gave him benedryl to reduce the itch and help him sleep tonight.  We then put cortisone cream on the affected spots and then calamine lotion.  On please help Devon feel better.  He can't help himself not itch - it will spread all over if he itches.


My thoughts and prayers are for him tonight.