Toxic plants in Joshua Tree?

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Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 23, 2010 - 04:45pm PT
The first time was about 6 years ago. Now it’s happened again. I have what looks like really bad poison oak, but I got it in Joshua Tree.

It came on fast and hard, a festering weeping rash on one leg, abdomen and one arm. I’ll spare you any pictures. Got so bad yesterday I ran down to the ER. Its not shingles.

Diagnosis: contact dermatitis. But contact with what?

Both incidents occurred in the same month of April. There is no poison oak in Joshua Tree.

They gave me a shot in the ass of steroids, I am taking MethylPrednizone and Benadryl. Looks like I’ll live…

Any of you medical types or plant experts have an idea about what this could be?

Thanks,

(Itchy, messy) Kris
Gary

climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Apr 23, 2010 - 04:56pm PT
Poodledog maybe? Though it doesn't seem like a plant that would thrive at Josh.
You been hiking above Monrovia? In an old burn area? Poodledog comes after a fire, a lot of folks are allergic to it.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:06pm PT
you been only in Josh for the last several days?

how about any dogs or old laundry you've been in touch with in the last several days that may have exposure to PO?

good luck mang

Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 05:09pm PT
99% sure the exposure was in Josh. Probably Future Games area.

Pate, this one did not involve a woman. You made me laugh though, right now I'll thank you for that.

Poodledog? I'll look it up.
Tan Slacks

climber
Joshua Tree
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:16pm PT
Kris,

This may not be the case for you, but my daughter has a severe reaction to "pin cushion" out here. It strikes her every spring. This spring is very bad for that plant. We are able to control her break outs with prescription topical ointments. I have never seen anything like it until I saw it on my daughter.

Good luck, whatever it is.

Tan
Anxious Melancholy

Mountain climber
Between the Depths of Despair & Heights of Folly
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:16pm PT
Sumac
Gary

climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Apr 23, 2010 - 05:22pm PT
Poodledog:
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 05:24pm PT
Tan I think you are onto something. I just googled that plant and looked at pictures. I was taking close up shots of those things on Sunday, they are all over the place up there right now.

Interesting, the scientific name is scabiosa columbara. Apparently this plant is alleged to have curative powers for itching. Not on me, the way it looks...

edit: Thanks Gary. I don't recall seeing any of that out there.
adam d

climber
Apr 23, 2010 - 06:39pm PT
By, "Pincushion" do you mean one of the phacelias? I forget exactly the name of it (and haven't found it in a brief search) but one of the phacelias in the park can bring on poison oak like rashes in some people.
Brian

climber
California
Apr 23, 2010 - 06:44pm PT
Ksolem,

Ouch. Hope you heal quickly.

Not to thread drift, but I got on Seizure last weekend and just want to congratulate you on a great little route. It's really freakin hard! I couldn't get close on the crux move by the 4th bolt, and had some real trouble getting up to the 3rd. Well done!

Also, Hang 'em High at Future Games is superb.

Thanks for the very fine routes.

Brian
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 07:06pm PT
These pics are from Future Games area Sunday. I looked at Pincushion on line - it seems that flower has a lot of different varieties. Some look similar to this:


Google of Phacelia got me California Bluebell. I was crawling around in those getting pics of a pair of chuckwallas.



Brian, glad yopu enjoy those routes. Thanks for the kind words. You must be a glutton for punishment! Ever check out that Games Without Frontiers on Future Games? Paul Borne got in a good one there.
G_Gnome

Trad climber
In the mountains... somewhere...
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:09pm PT
Kris, are the blue bells that you were taking photos of one of the phacelias?

Check this out!

http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=6375
matty

Trad climber
los arbor
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:11pm PT
Hey Kris, I feel your pain, I got a lil PO last week bouldering, and I usually get it BAD, luckily I had to cross the stream several times so it mostly washed off my legs. Been to hospital before, shots etc... Hope you feel better soon.

Matt
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:11pm PT
Geez Kris, sounds like what I get when I see big runouts but I know you're not susceptible to that. Heal up!
Brian

climber
California
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:13pm PT
I think "Games" is beyond me given that it is in the same league as "Seizure"--and I couldn't really do that route justice. Brilliant moves, but a bit above my grade right now! Maybe one day...
Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
Topic Author's Reply - Apr 23, 2010 - 07:18pm PT
I Googled Phacelia allergy... There are tons of scientific articles on this subject. Here's the abstract from one:

The major contact allergen of Phacelia crenulata (Hydrophyllaceae) has been identified as geranylhydroquinone. A maximization test of geranylhydroquinone showed this to be a potent sensitizer comparable in degree to poison oak/ivy urushiol. Comparative patch testing on humans with urushiol established that the phacelia allergen does not cross-react with poison oak or ivy.

Yeah Jan, I was crawling around in those bastards...
G_Gnome

Trad climber
In the mountains... somewhere...
Apr 23, 2010 - 07:23pm PT
Well at least you know what to avoid in the future.
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Apr 23, 2010 - 09:06pm PT
hey there, ksolem... say, glad to see you solved the mystery... now, next time, you will have victory... :)

take care, hope you are better soon...
god bless...
:)
justthemaid

climber
Jim Henson's Basement
Apr 23, 2010 - 11:14pm PT
Yikes Kris- who knew??? Good to know the Phacelia is probably the culprit. I pretty much get contact dermatitis from everything under the sun and Mr. E goes totally systemic with PO so I think we will both stay clear. I've been out there every weekend but I haven't touched any of those.

Get well soon

Skip
Watusi

Social climber
Newport, OR
Apr 24, 2010 - 02:06am PT
Anyone remember Datura? Had a friend go blind, (for luckily a limited amount of time,) but it definitely was no fun for him...
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