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I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

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Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#161

Post by modeless »

goda90 wrote: post #34
DeathArrow wrote: post #21

Metamizole is the only thing that works for me when I have fever. But it seems that I recently developped an allergy to it, which is a bummer. Every single damn time I take metamizole, I develop very itch rashes. So by taking some substance it seem I became more sensitive to it's side effects, not less.

The immune system is so complex. I have to wonder if allergies develop when something else is stressing the immune system and it misidentifies the culprit.

Current research seems to suggest that allergies develop when the immune system doesn't find anything to fight and goes looking for trouble (the hygiene hypothesis). Although that is a long term effect and I think it's likely that what you said is true as well, on a short term basis. There's also a big difference in being exposed to the natural environment with lots of bacteria and viruses and plants that don't cause disease in humans, which is really what the hygiene hypothesis is about, and getting sick with human diseases, which is not actually beneficial in any way (the immunity gained this way is narrow, not broad, it doesn't "train" your immune system to fight anything but the particular strain of whatever you got).

So my best guess is that when you live a life indoors for years without much exposure to natural outdoor bacteria/viruses/plants, and then you encounter a human disease, your immune system goes into overdrive and misidentifies the culprit.

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#162

Post by throwaway2037 »

shriphani wrote: post #154
talkingtab wrote: post #95

I have worked with Urushi, aka Japanese lacquer. You get a rash, some people never get over it. Others do get over it, and I did. Years ago I was in the black thumb club. I could stick my thumb in Urushi, and not get a rash. Since Urushi was a big thing in Japan (and other places), people who worked harvesting or packaging or using it either got over or did not. I have a friend who did not. He said he could walk down…

would love to see some pics of your work. Since you seem to know about Japanese craft techniques - do you know what sort of adhesive is used in Japanese gold leaf application? I am not able to use bole or animal hide glue due (vegan) but was curious if the Japanese have some rice-paste based method.

Did you read about maki-e? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maki-e

    Asian lacquerware, which may be called "true lacquer", are objects coated with the treated, dyed and dried sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum or related trees, applied in several coats to a base that is usually wood.

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#163

Post by throwaway2037 »

jelliclesfarm wrote: post #79

I have read that the urushiol is also present in the skin of the mango fruit. I don’t know if those who consume a lot of mangoes or have grown up with mango trees around them are immune to poison oak’s urushiol(arguably much more concentrated) as its present in stems, saps, leaves, skin more than the flesh..but they likely have more tolerance. Also..in India, we don’t burn mango leaves or branches as it increases res…

It must be minute quantities -- if any at all. In developing countries in Asia, it is pretty common to eat the whole mango without peeling it first. (Before anyone responds to this comment: Yes, I have personally seen this eating style in many different countries.) Usually, you just cut two pieces: top and bottom, then discard the seed. It also makes it easier to hold the cut fruit with your hands without getting too sticky / dirty.

However, when picking mangoes, you need to be careful about the sap that comes from the broken stem. That will cause a rash, and also disfigure the fruit's skin (which hurts market value). You can Google about it.

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#164

Post by gadders »

KaiserPro wrote: post #81
wakawaka28 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Science is not conducted through public debate. Full stop. There's a reason why it's peer review, and not talk show host review. You're only saying that because you happen to disagree with what is being said. Full stop.

The scientific principle is based on proving thing by experimentation. it is empirical that means that you should be able to re-produce the results of a thing or assertion by following the details in a paper. The public might be able to do it themselves. But the point is, its not about who says what, its about can it be reproduced. scientist "A" says that the sky is blue because of "x". devises an experiment to prove…

During the pandemic, though, we had scientists asserting that various physical methods would stop the spread of the virus with no evidence to back that up (masking, keeping 6 ft away from people, previous COVID did not provide immunity, vaccines would stop the spread of COVID, etc etc).

When scientists don't follow their own method, how should the public decide on which findings to trust?

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#165

Post by engine_y »

throwaway2037 wrote: post #163
jelliclesfarm wrote: post #79

I have read that the urushiol is also present in the skin of the mango fruit. I don’t know if those who consume a lot of mangoes or have grown up with mango trees around them are immune to poison oak’s urushiol(arguably much more concentrated) as its present in stems, saps, leaves, skin more than the flesh..but they likely have more tolerance. Also..in India, we don’t burn mango leaves or branches as it increases res…

It must be minute quantities -- if any at all. In developing countries in Asia, it is pretty common to eat the whole mango without peeling it first. (Before anyone responds to this comment: Yes, I have personally seen this eating style in many different countries.) Usually, you just cut two pieces: top and bottom, then discard the seed. It also makes it easier to hold the cut fruit with your hands without getting too…

I have done it myself multiple times. Whether you can eat the skin depends on the mango strain. Some are really thin.

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#167

Post by sethammons »

jelliclesfarm wrote: post #79

I have read that the urushiol is also present in the skin of the mango fruit. I don’t know if those who consume a lot of mangoes or have grown up with mango trees around them are immune to poison oak’s urushiol(arguably much more concentrated) as its present in stems, saps, leaves, skin more than the flesh..but they likely have more tolerance. Also..in India, we don’t burn mango leaves or branches as it increases res…

I am odd: I am immune to poison oak but allergic to mango flesh. Poison oak only gives me a minor issue around cuts or scratches, but the last time I had mango, I got hives anywhere my skin experienced pressure (like itching a scratch or wearing a seat belt or an elastic waste band or belt) for a week and a half. I developed the mango thing as an adult after eating like a dozen or two dried mangos one day

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#168

Post by sethammons »

A guy in my village, a few years before I was alive, was immune to poison oak (as am I; not sure how common it is) and he would show off by eating a bit of it. After several years of this parlor trick, he had a severe reaction one time and went to the hospital. Throat nearly swelled shut.

This guy should be aware of said story.

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#169

Post by atombender »

talkingtab wrote: post #95

I have worked with Urushi, aka Japanese lacquer. You get a rash, some people never get over it. Others do get over it, and I did. Years ago I was in the black thumb club. I could stick my thumb in Urushi, and not get a rash. Since Urushi was a big thing in Japan (and other places), people who worked harvesting or packaging or using it either got over or did not. I have a friend who did not. He said he could walk down…

I wonder if the benefits you get from applying hot water is from the heat itself. Heat activates heat shock proteins in the skin and suppresses/alters inflammation. [1] There are people who use infrared heat lamps to treat autoimmune skin disorders.

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34781874/

Re: I couldn't escape poison oak, so I started eating it

#170

Post by mywacaday »

rallison wrote: post #155
talkingtab wrote: post #95

I have worked with Urushi, aka Japanese lacquer. You get a rash, some people never get over it. Others do get over it, and I did. Years ago I was in the black thumb club. I could stick my thumb in Urushi, and not get a rash. Since Urushi was a big thing in Japan (and other places), people who worked harvesting or packaging or using it either got over or did not. I have a friend who did not. He said he could walk down…

> The way to tolerate the adaptation is hot water - spray water as hot as you can stand (without damage) on the affected area and you will get substantial relief for about 12 hours. Yes. Similar to poison oak (in irritant effect), we've also got poodle-dog bush out in California. It thrives in post-fire environments, and isn't as well-known as poison oak. The reaction to it is often even worse than for poison oak. An…

Hot water also used for weaver fish stings, https://firstaidtrainingcooperative.co.uk/weever-fish/#:~:te....
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