eeewwww...I'm getting old.

It is my immune system's MO to never react in a normal manner. I remember as a child and teenager coming into contact with poison ivy by sitting in it and leaning on it. My friends swore I was going to be in agony for weeks. It never happened.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology ".... About 85 percent of all people will develop an allergic reaction when adequately exposed to poison ivy. This sensitivity varies from person to person. People who reach adulthood without becoming sensitive have only a 50 percent chance of developing an allergy to poison ivy. However, only about 15 percent of people seem to be resistant."
I feel so lucky to be a part of that rare 50 percent. Lucky for me my reaction has been extremely minimal compared to the images that I have seen online. Such as this lovely gallery.
Now I am so excited for my once non-exsisitent allergies to take hold. I have already begun to be allergic to things that never bothered me before, and I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to pollen or dust or Tony or something!!?? My eyes water, my nose sneezes and runs......I am officially getting old.
Now not only is my body beginning to fail, but my failing body is the most exciting thing I have to speak of.

ok. now it not only itches but creates an odd tingly sensation when the benadryl wears off. it's bizarre. all the hairs on my arms stand up and the tingly itchyness is maddening!!!!!!

update,because i know you want to know:
A trip to the ER and a 3 day dose of prednisone is what I needed to begin the healing of my poison ivy. It began as a mild case and exploded into something so nasty as to compare with the aforementioned gallery. The prednisone helped, but by no means eliminated the itching and oozing. Today is the 12th day of this ordeal and only now is the rash showing signs of retreating. The itch is pretty much gone, but it still flares up several times a day which is heaven in comparison to how much it itched earlier. FYI, scratching is heavenly although not recommended. I managed to control myself for an entire week, but on day 8 I gave in and scratched the mother of all itches. The good news is it looks like there will be minimal scarring. A huge bonus considering it spread to pretty much my entire body except my head.