Rhus toxicodendron

Rhus toxicodendron

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., Nlix) ; 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 scraped 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, erysipelatous, 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, ivith great exhaustion; tearing pain down the posterior part of limbs during stool.

Paralysis: with numbness of affected parts; from getting wet or lying on damp ground; after exertion, parturition, sexual excesses, ague or typhoid; paresis of limbs ; ptosis.

Erysipelas, from 1. to r. ; vesicular, yellow vesicles; much swelling, inflammation; burning, itching, stinging.

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 of 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 vesicles drying up in a few days.

Rhus is best antidoted by the similimum ; the potentized remedy given internally. The dermatitis should never be treated by topical medicated applications ; they only suppress, never cure.