Such Treasures

Poor dear, she’s worse today. Now she has blisters from poison oak on her legs. We think she was exposed originally by touching Jeff’s shirt; she hasn’t been out herself in the brush for over a week. But Monday at work, Jeff was out in the field, tromping through the brush. He came home from work Monday evening and got a big hug from Naomi against his shirt. By Tuesday morning, she had rashes on her face. Now the rashes are spreading, so I’m thinking some of the poison oak must have gotten in her eyes or nose or mouth and is travelling systemically through her body.

To Jeff’s credit, he pulled away from her hug, telling her not to hug him because he’d been in the poison oak that day. He was right to be cautious, as we now know. I just feel badly that Naomi has to suffer while the rest of us learn this lesson the hard way.

Last night, I spread some all purpose BioKleen degreaser/cleaner all over the breakouts, to try to get all the poison oak oils off. I couldn’t bear to use a strong cleaner on her soft skin. Then I dabbed some of my homemade astringent — made with witch hazel, alcohol and tea tree oil — all over. We followed that up with liberal amounts of soothing aloe vera gel. She didn’t itch at all during the night. But she began itching a little this morning, so I put more aloe vera all over the rashed areas. She’s bearing it very well. I admire the sweet, forebearing spirit in my little girl.