Poison Oak. (Anacardiaceae)
Adapted to persons of a rheumatic diathesis; bad effects of getting wet, especially after being overheated. Ailments: from spraining or straining a single part, muscle or tendon (Cal., Nux); overlifting, particularly from stretching high up to reach things; lying on damp ground; too much summer bathing in lake or river. Affects the fibrous tissue, especially (Rhod. – serous, Bry.); the right side more than the left. Pains: as if sprained; as if a muscle or tendon was torn from its attachment; as if bones were scrapped with a knife; worse after midnight and in wet, rainy weather; affected parts sore to touch. Lameness, stiffness and pain on first moving after rest, or on getting up in the morning, > by walking or continued motion. Great restlessness, anxiety, apprehension (Acon., Ars.); cannot remain in bed; must change position often to obtain relief from pain (from mental anxiety, Ars.). Restless, cannot stay long in one position. Back: pain between the shoulders on swallowing; pain and stiffness in small of back < sitting or lying, > by motion or lying on something hard. Great sensitiveness to open air; putting the hand from under the bed-cover brings on cough (Bar., Hep.). Muscular rheumatism, sciatica, left side (Col.); aching in left arm, with heart disease. Great apprehension at night; fears he will die of being poisoned; cannot remain in bed. Vertigo, when standing or walking; worse when lying down (better when lying down, Apis); < rising from lying, or stooping (Bry.). Headache: brain feels loose when stepping or shaking the head; sensation of swashing in brain; stupefying; as if torn; from beer; returns from least chagrin; < from sitting, lying, in cold, > warmth and motion. Dreams of great exertion; rowing, swimming, working hard at his daily occupation (Bry.). Corners of mouth ulcerated, fever blisters around mouth and on chin (Nat. m.). Tongue: dry; sore, red, cracked; triangular red tip; takes imprint of teeth (Chel., Pod.). Great thirst, with dry tongue, mouth and throat. External genitals inflamed, erisiplatous, oedematous. A dry, teasing cough, before and during chill, in intermittent fever; cough, with taste of blood. When acute diseases assume a typhoid form. Diarrhoea: with beginning typhoid; involuntary, with great exhaustion; tearing pain down the posterior part of limbs during stool. Paralysis: with numbness of affected parts; from getting wet on lying on damp ground; after exertion, parturition, sexual excesses, ague or typhoid; paresis of limbs; ptosis. Erysipelas, from left to right; vesicular, yellow vesicles; much swelling, inflammation; burning, itching, stinging.
Relations. – Complementary: to, Bryonia. Inimical: to, Apis, must not be used before or after. Compare: Arn., Bry., Rhod., Nat. s, Sulph.
Aggravation. – Before a storm; cold, wet rainy weather; at night, especially after midnight; from getting wet while perspiring; during rest.
Amelioration. – Warm, dry weather, wrapping up; warm or hot things; motion; change of position; moving affected parts. The great characteristic or Rhus is that with few exceptions the pains occur and are < during repose and are > by motion. Sepia, often quickly > itching and burning of Rhus, the vesciles drying up in a few days. Rhus is best antidoted by the simillimum; the potentized remedy given internally. The dermatitis should never be treated by topical medicated applications; they only suppress, never cure.
