I am so behind on posts. I still need to do my Grand Canyon post as well as 2-3 race recaps. Can’t actually remember at this point truthfully. I mean to write, really do but then Squirrel!!!
Let’s talk about my current squirrel— itching!!

A few weeks ago I headed up to Henry Cowell State Park for a Mother’s Day hike with my mother. Actually that should be a post too, oops. I thought it was going to be very user friendly (I was wrong) and didn’t wear compression socks or full pants. Ended the hike with a few scratches on my legs, worst ones on my left. No big deal, right?
Headed out for a trail run the following weekend, again no socks or full pants. By the evening, those week old cuts had swollen and turned bright red. Over the next week, my legs got uglier and uglier. Eventually work badgered me into going to urgent care on that Friday. Where I was told I had poison oak and an infection. I managed to avoid poison oak my entire childhood growing up in the sticks and my first 10 years trail running. Grrrr. They prescribed a steroid cream and a course of antibiotics. Problem solved?

I started using the cream right away but eased into the antibiotics as I had a big hike planned and the bottle warned against too much sun. Other than that I did not read any of the side effects as I know I am a little suggestible when it comes to those. Hiking and running that weekend wasn’t exactly comfortable for my legs but wasn’t horrible. I also kept everything covered this time.

I did a slow couple miles on Memorial Day-Monday and my legs burned. By Wednesday, my legs were red and swollen and itched so damn bad. I couldn’t wear pants only skirts so I was trying to hide at work. You never realize how often you cross your legs or ankles until you shouldn’t do it. And then my right leg was contaminated. Boo. I’ll spare the you the pictures.
I felt so bad I actually ended up going home sick on Wednesday. Air hurt, showers made me cry. My skin felt like it was on fire everywhere even the parts without poison oak. I tried all the things to stop itching- the steroid cream, Gold Bond Itch, Benadryl ointment, calamine, technu, nothing seemed to help. The itch had turned to pain that was keeping me awake at night. And I have a high pain tolerance. What the frak? Plus I was beginning to have other random issues too.
So… yeah those antibiotics? Guess who’s allergic???? Me! For the love of Pete. But at least an answer of why I felt so crappy.
After days of lazing about, err resting, I attempted a slow walk on Sunday. Very bad idea. Between the rash and an occurence of my sometimes present Hiker’s rash- that’s a fun one- anyone heard of it? I regretted my choices. I’ll spare you the pictures. Dove into a cold shower and jar of Vaseline. Tiny bit of relief, hallelujah.
So yeah, that’s me right now. How about you? What you up to? Ever have poison oak? Ever heard of Hiker’s rash?