Dracula’s Legacy Written Walkthrough (Nintendo Switch)

written 7/27/25, updated 7/29/25

Published: Joindots
Platform Played: Nintendo Switch
Price: $9.99 MSRP: $19.99
Rated: T (Teen) for drug reference, mild violence
Genre: Adventure
Date Released: October 25, 2018

This is a written walkthrough for Dracula’s Legacy played on the Nintendo Switch. It’s not intended to necessarily help you solve puzzles as I tend to skip them when I find them irritating or difficult, but it does have some puzzle solutions

Game Start

What the intro cinematics

Escape the Crypt (Tutorial)

Take the Knife
Inspect the wall lamp
Use the Knife on the Piece of Wire and take it
Use the Piece of Wire on the locked chest
Take the Crystal and Part of Mechanical Device
Use the Crystal on the wall lamp
Go down the now-lighted hall
Click on the headless statue
Take the Gear and the Shaft
Go backwards
Use the Part of Mechanical Device on the left wall
Use the Gear then turn the crank
Head through the other room again, then down the now-accessible doorway
Listen to the helpful ghost
Take the Harpoon
Use the Shaft on the pickaxe head for a Pickaxe
Use the Pickaxe on the doorway with the light
Go in for a Hidden Puzzle

Hint: dip the paintbrush into the yellow paint, then the dragon; Use the can opener on the can; The puzzle solution is on the wall

Go back a room
Open up the knight’s helmet on the ground and use the Flute
Take the Disc and use it on the wall between the green doorway and the roots

Disc Door Puzzle

Straightforward and easy: just rotate the concentric circles to complete the medusa head

Go into the door
Use the Knife on the coffin
Take the Rope near the bottom and you’ll automatically combine it with the grapple hook
Go back to the room with the hidden puzzle
Use the Grapplehook on the orange area in the left corner
Use the Knife to stop the gears
Take the Gold Tooth
Go back to the spike room and head forward
Look at the leftmost skull and take the Bat
Look at the bowl in the middle of the room to get the Axe and Gold Tooth
Go back 2 rooms to the one where the big wolf was
Use the Axe on the roots
Go through the doorway
Take the Glove from the corpse
Go back and into the spike room
Use the Bat on the coffin
Use the Glove to take the Stone Block
Go back outside
Pull aside the tapestry
Use the Stone Block

Tetris Puzzle

Fit all 5 pieces into the square

Take the Crystal
Go back through the medusa door to the crypt
Use Gold Tooth x2 and the Crystal on the right-most skull
Take the Key which fits into the door outside
Almost there!
Use the Axe on the tree hollow, then use it again in the back of the hollow
Take the Cube
Go down the west path in the next room with the broken cart
Take the Spade, Wheel, Glasses, and Small Key
Go back to the room with the broken cart
Use the Wheel to get the Cart
Use the Glasses to set the hay pile on fire (because it won’t cause a forest fire at all. Nope.)
Go down the eastern path
Listen to the ghost
Use the Shovel on the dirt pile
Use the Cube on the chest lock

Chest Lock Puzzle

Rotate the pipes to connect the start and end. Easy stuff

Use the Cart on the Cannonball
Take the Rope Ladder
Go back to the room with the tree
If you haven’t, click on the pitfall
Use the Rope Ladder to get a Torch
Use the Torch on the tree hollow, then the hay fire
Go down the west path from the hay fire
Use the Key on the backpack for a Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Replace the wing on the angel, solve the butterfly puzzle, use the battery on the flashlight

Go back to the skeleton corpse and use the Needle and Thread on the sack on the ground
Go to the cannon
Use the Gunpowder, Cannonball, and Lit Torch

Town

Listen to the story

Follow the running man
Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Use wine bottle on stem glass, use camera on sun decor, put together plate pieces x5

Get the Razor
Use the Razor on the broom on the ground for a Broomstick
Go forward
Try to talk to the fleeing man
Use the Razor on the bell for a String
Take the Plank
Go forward
Look in the car
Use the Razor on the key-like shape in the skeleton’s shirt
Take the Car Keys
Use the Car Keys on the trunk
Take the Sponge and Crowbar
Back up to the beginning with the burning tree
Use the Crowbar on the barrel
Use the Sponge in the water
Use the Broomstick on the broken rake in the hay
Take the Hay Fork and use it on the dead fish in the barrel
Take the Fishhook which will automatically combine with the String
Use the Fishhook and String on the grates on the ground
Use your new Letterbox Key on the letterbox where the car is
Take the Documents back to the coffin maker
Go in
Take the picture, Switchboard Key, and Handsaw from the cabinets
Leave
Use the Switchboard Key across from the coffin maker’s shop
Take the Fuse
Use the Hacksaw on the chained door
Go in
Take the Canister from the starcase
Use the Fuse on the wall to the right

Fuse Puzzle

Once you figure out the simple instructions, this is very easy

In the storage room, look at the leftmost cabinet
Take the Cigar Cutter
Use the Razor on the plastic water bottle for a “Watering Can” (I’m pretty sure they mean a funnel)
Take the Shop Window Key from the right-side cabinet
Take the Bucket
Go back to the tree burning room
Use the Bucket on the water barrel, then on the burning tree
Go down the path
Take the Shop Window Key, the Key to the Statue
Use the Cigar Cutter on the skeletal hand for the Ring
GO back to the car
Use the Wet Sponge then the Crowbar on the window to the right
Use the Ring on the chest
Take the Shotgun Shells to the storage room and use them in the shotgun
Use the Loaded Gun on the coffin maker and show him you mean business
Use both the Shop Window Keys on the cabinets
Take the Pliers, Angel Figurine, and Adhesive Tape
Go back to the graveyard
Use the Angel Figurine on the mausoleum

Puzzle!

I can’t stand these puzzles, so I skipped it

Use the Adhesive Tape inside the tomb for a Walking Stick
Take the Part of Fresco Painting
Use the Crowbar, then the Shotgun Shell on the relief to the left
Go to the room with the gasoline tank
Use the Plank then the Canister and Pliers on the tank
Use the Funnel and Canister of Gasoline on the car (trunk)
Use the Walking Stick next to the skeleton
Use the Car Keys in the ignition and turn it
Go into the church
Use the Star on the chest under the angel statue for a Part of Fresco Painting
Use both Painting Parts on the picture to the right
Take the Candle
Return to the mausoleum and use the Candle on the gunpowder (insanely dangerously)
Take the Suitcase Key which fits into the little bag on the ground near the gasoline tank
Take the last Part of Fresco Painting back to the church and place it with the others
Use your new Strange Disc in the floor

Gem Disc Puzzle

Match up the gems according to the disc clues by rotating them

A Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Shape solution on the left, watering can on plant pot, hammer on piggy bank

Into the Countryside

Inspect the wagon for a Hidden Puzzle

Hint: Knife on Apple, Key on Padlock, Fish Pieces x5 on Skeleton

Sorry I didn’t grab the screenshot until later and now I forgot where things are

Get a Pumpkin
Take the Paintbrush and dip it into the glue can
Go down the road
Take the Boat Hook and the Brick
Go down the left path
Take the Glove from the chest
Use the Boathook on the water to get the Oar
Go back to the town
Use the Boathook on the left root for a Bucket
Use the Brick on the broken window to the right
Take the Sugar
Use the Glove to get the Glass Shard
Go back to the river and use the Glass Shard on the rope
Inspect the boat
Use the Paintbrush with Glue on the hole
Use the Bucket on the water
Use the Oar
Go across the river
Take the Key from the brambles
Go back across the river
Use the Key on the chest
Take the Crystal back across the river and use it in the door

Color the Skeleton Puzzle

Memorize the color scheme and recreate it

Hint: Green Head, Pink Wing, Red Body, Blue Wing, Yellow Scythe

Go down the stairs and listen to the helpful ghost
Take the Burning Candle and Clothes
Return to the fork in the road with the crows
Use the Pumpkin and Clothes on the wooden posts
Then use the Glass Shard, then the Burning Candle on the pumpkin
Now that the crows are gone, go down the eastern path
Take the Garden Shears from under the broken ladder
Go into the abandoned mansion
Take the Mace
Go back to the dungeon across the river and use the Mace on the broken wall
Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Find Keys x6, Find pieces x2 of the Jolly Roger, Use the inflator on the ball

Get a Magnet
Use the Garden Shears and Sugar under the lion statue
Take the Awl
GO back to the mansion
Use the Awl then the Magnet in the rightmost door
Use the Library Key on the door
Watch the cutscene
Take the Matches, and Vial x3 from the shelves
Use the Vial x3 on the empty flask on the one shelf
Take your new Flask with Acid out of the mansion and use it on the chest near the broken ladder
Watch the cutscene
Take the Hammer and Picture Fragment
Go back to the town and use the Hammer on the wall with the can of glue
Use the Nails and Hammer on the broken ladder outside the mansion
Go back to the scarecrow and use the Ladder on the tree
Use the Hammer on the bat
Return to the mansion and use the Picture Fragment on the frame on the wall

Picture Puzzle

Move the pieces to make a picture, but you can only do it in columns

Use your new Key on the other door
Take the Silver Spoon
Use the Garden Shears on the guitar
On the pan to the left, use the Matches, Silver Spoon, then Arrow
Go back a room and use the String and Arrow with Silver on the crossbow
Use the Crossbow with Bolt on the monster
In the next room
Take the Sweep Brush back to the guitar room and use it on the cobwebs in the window
Use the Knife on the cheese
Go back to the new room and use the Knife on the Tapestry
Take the Mousetrap
Use it on the floor, then the Cheese
Use the Part that Belongs to Some Mechanism and use it on the machine

Light-up Puzzle

Rotate the rings until all the lights shine

Watch the cutscene

On the Road

Listen to the helpful ghost
Take the Cable from the briefcase
Go west
Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Thermos on teacup, Cutter on the coin, Press the symbols on the wall with the clues on the ground

Get a Blowtorch
Look at the rightmost griffin
Take the Amulet
Use the Blowtorch on the head to get the Statue Head
Go back and now to the east
Use the Cable and Statue Head over the tree branch on the right
Take the Screwdriver and Fire Extinguisher from the motorcycle
Go back and use the Fire Extinguisher and Screwdriver on the burning powerbox
Throw the switch
Go back down the east path and through to the other side
Take the Rake, Oil Can, and Bent Harpoon
Go all the way back to the beginning
Use the Oil Can on the back of the semi
Go in
Take the Key to the Box and Winch
Use the Bent Harpoon on the vise
Go out of the truck, use the Key to the Box on the briefcase
Take the Fuse
Go all the way to the lake
Use the Winch under the tree

Fuse Puzzle

Use the Fuse and solve the puzzle but changing the connections to connect the fuses

Look inside the boat and take the Mask, Harpoon Gun, and Syringe
Use the Mask on the submerged statue
Use the Harpoon Gun on the angler fish (which doesn’t make sense in the least because angler fish would never be found in a shallow lake)
Take the Amulet
Go all the way back to the mansion with the 2 statues
Use the Rake on the leaf pile for a Grindstone Handle
Use the Amulet x2 on the door
Go inside
Use the Screwdriver on the creepy doll for a Battery
Click on the table for a Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Hammer on Vase, Lighter on Sparkler, Paint on knight according to the picture

Get a Valve
Take Stick of Aspen Wood from fireplace
Go to the back of the semi truck
Use the Grindstone Handle in the back of the truck
Use the Stick of Aspen Wood for a Stake
Go to the motorcycle and use the Battery on the Torch
Go to the lake
Use the Valve underwater and turn it
Take the Part of Amulet from the fountain
Go left to the house with the stairs
Use the Torch (hat with light) on the wall
Take the Amulet Part and Gemstone with Metal Decoration
Go back to the creepy doll mansion and use the Amulet Part x2 on the fireplace
Take the Picture Piece and use it on the wall

Picture Puzzle

Rotate the pieces until you finish the picture

Use the Key on the door
Take the Vase of Water, Amulet, and Dust Pan
Use the Vase of Water on the fireplace
Take the Gemstone with Metal Decoration
Use the Dustpan on the coals
Use the Dustpan with Coals on the fumigator next to the fountain
Use the Fumigating Fogger on the beehive near the lake
Use the Amulet on the chest for another Gemstone with Metal Decoration
Go all the way back to the white mansion and use the Gemstone with Metal Decoration x3 in the room with the magical barrier
Use the Stake on the creepy sleeping vampire man
Take the Broken Sword, Mirror Shard, and Part of Crypt Key
Listen to the ghostly helper
Go into the back of the truck
Use the Broken Sword on the vise, then use the Blowtorch (yeah, I’m pretty sure that won’t work)
Go to the house with the stairs
Use the Sword on the door (…really?)
Go in
Take the Potion, Metal Lever, and Glue
Read the book to figure out how to kill a vampire
Get a Fish Knife
Use the Fish Knife on the dead fish in the lake for a Cross on a Chain
Go all the way back to where you killed the vampire
Use the Glue then the Mirror Shard on the mirror
Take the Gearwheel
Go back to the first room and inspect the plants
Use the Potion then pick the Garlic
Go back to the house with the stairs
Put the Cross on a Chain in the water in the chalice for some Stoup
Use the Garlic, Stoup, and Syringe in the mortar and pestle
Use the Gear on the wall clock

Gear Puzzle

Place the gears so that they all spin

Go through the door
Take the Lion Head
Go back and use the Lion Head on the staircase
Go into the hidden door
Take the Camera
Use the Key on the iron maiden
Take the Marble Mask
Go back to the room with the bats and use the Camera
Take the Copper Disc
Go back a room and use the Copper Disc on the book
Use the Marble Mask x2 in the bat room
Inject the vampire with the Syringe
Take the Part of Crypt Key
Listen to the ghost

Mission: Assassinate the Vampire Lord

Go down the path
Take the Oil, and Corkscrew
Go back, use the Corkscrew on the barrel
Click the empty barrel to move it, then look inside for a Valve
Inside the guardhouse, take the Helmet and Pinch Bar
Use the Valve on the wall, then the Oil
Click on it to turn
Inspect the bird nest (…I guess you climbed on top the guard bar?)
Take the Handcuff Key, return to the carriage and use it on the handcuffs
Use your new Handcuffs on the chain around the statue
Use the Pinch Bar on the column
Take the Part of Metal Disc
Go forwards into the courtyard
Use the Helmet on the water fountain, then take it back to the guardhouse and use it on the bones on the ground
Take the Tooth from the uncovered T-Rex (super random)
Go back to the courtyard and use the Tooth on the pipes
Take the Part of Metal Disc from the drained fountain
Use Part of Metal Disc x2 on the door
Inside on the staircase, click on the Hidden Puzzle!

Hint: Scissors on Fabric, Paintbrush on Frame, Roman Numerals on Chest, then input the code as found on the rubble (note: must finish the rest of the puzzle to remove the wheel first)

Go into the courtyard and use the Spear on the ladder up high
Go up into the dining room
Go into the kitchen
Take the Block of Ice and Jar
Go back to the staircase and use the Block of Ice on the dragon flame
Take the Panel with Picture of Dragon, go back to the dining room and use it on the wall

Dragon Puzzle

Move the blocks according to the hints

Now with the fire turned off, take the Mirror and Dragon
Use the Dragon on the bars in the dining room
Go through the bars into the sitting room
Click on the left item for a Hidden Puzzle (Last one!!)

Hint: Glue on photo pieces, Pieces of figurine, Syringe on vial

Use your new Clockhand on the clock
Take the Coil Spring, use it on the jewelry box
Take the Fountain Piece
Take the Window Handle from the window
Use the Fountain Piece on the fountain in the courtyard
Go down, the down the stairs
Take the Scoop Net and Casket Key
Go back to the kitchen, use the Window Handle, then the Scoop Net on the moth
In the dining room, use the Casket Key on the box (maybe a casket for a rodent…)
Take the Lighter
Go back to the creepy statue and use the Moth on the web, then the Jar (considering the size of the spider and the lack of lid…)
Go to the staircase and use the Jar with Spider on the wall with the spider emblem (WTH?!?!)

Spider Puzzle

Move the strings until none overlap

Get Dynamite and Dragon Key
Go back to the dining room and use the Dragon Key on the dragon for a Flask of Flammable Fluid
Look at the ground in front of the creepy statue
Use the Dynamite, Flask of Flammable Fluid, then Lighter
Listen to the ghost and watch the cutscene
Even though you can’t check out the bone pile, for some reason you can go down the hall
Oh. It’s your man. Except he’s looking a bit… pale.
Take the Piece of Pipe and Bellows
Go back to the kitchen and use the Bellows on the sack of flour
Use the Bellows Filled with Flour on the invisible monster which suddenly starts making lots of noise when it didn’t before for some reason

Click on the weird wheel to the left of the monster and use the Crypt Keys you’ve been carrying around for a while

Wheel Thing Puzzle

Spin the head and place the pieces on it (super easy)

Solving the puzzle inexplicably destroys the monster
Check out the pile of bones and use the Mirror
Oh look, the Vampire Lord
Take the Panel Key to the control room and open the thing on the right side
Take the Boiler Key and use it on the boiler
Use the Bellows
Go back to the weird machine and turn the handle
Use the Piece of Pipe
Talk to your clearly vampirified dude
Take the Shield from the busted chest
Use it on the Vampire Lord
Watch the cutscene that follows

GAME COMPLETE

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Poison Ivy – My Case Experience

written 6/9/24, updated 8/19/24

Summary

From contact to end, my experience with poison ivy (first time!) was both typical and atypical with both “normal” and “abnormal” lesions associated with it. I have history of skeeter syndrome and many other sensitivities so it does not come as any surprise that I would have a stronger/complex reaction than most people would. This is a chronicle with images and thoughts of my experience with the Toxicohedron family of plant’s irritating oil, urushiol.

Timeline

CONTACT: Sunday, May 26, 2024 – Contact – Small red dots with blackish brown smear like a burn on left underside of arm, fully asymptomatic, flat. Immediate issue are 3 bug bites

Day 1-2; Monday, May 27-28 – Bug Bites Worsening – 27th was Memorial Day. Pushed through work on 28th but suffered all-consuming discomfort from severely inflamed and spreading bug bites. Probable fever. By the end of the day on 28th, noticing a change in primary poison ivy lesion: growing more erythemic, raised, skin stretching like a burn, growing more sensitive to palpation

Day 3: Wednesday, May 29 – Manifested and Symptomatic – Absent from work. Placed on Medrol dose pack (methylprednisolone steroid), for 3 bad skeeter syndrome welts on both forearms

Day 4-8: Thursday, May 30 – June 3 – Bites Resolve, Poison Ivy Progresses Rapidly – As the bites diminish quickly in response to steroids, itchy, red dots and spots pop up and spread increasingly alongside tapering medication. 2 new Minor blistering Areas pop up on outside of right arm. All other lesions, while red and blistery seem normal for poison ivy. All areas weep constantly. Many bandaids

Day 9: Tuesday, June 4 – Severe Reaction Detected – As soon as the steroid stopped, the poison ivy was loosed and exponentially spread. Blistering is severe on primary lesion. Erythema spreads, turning deep red and increasingly bumpy. Suspect entire erythemic area will blister soon. 2 Minor Areas form large blisters overnight. Dog starts to notice inflammation. No interest before. Last Medrol pill taken night prior. Suspect repeat contact from improperly washed surfaces and clothing. Commence deep clean of bedding, blankets, car, tools, etc. Itching is unbearable and throwing hive/eczema spots all over body, especially around stomach area, that are far itchier than poison ivy lesions. Systemic.

Day 10: Wednesday, June 5 – Medical Help – Exactly 1 week later returned to PCP for poison ivy lesions this time, specifically the primary lesion. Doctor and assistant reel from severe Primary Lesion. Doctor thinks this is now cellulitis, too. New steroids prescribed, Prednisone tapering for 2 weeks, and 30 count cephalexin antibiotics. Went to work right after, unable to pick up medication until afterwards. By the time I left work, my left arm (Primary Lesion) was unusable. Difficult to make a fist or hold objects. Drove with one hand which was also starting to hurt from inflammation. Felt like someone had a vise on the arm tight. Worthy of note: apart from the local severe Primary Lesion infection, woke up in the morning feeling like a corner had been turned as a whole.

Day 11: Thursday, June 6 – Relief – Immediate response to strong steroid dose. Although blistering and erythema is worse on all lesions, everything feels better. Still itchy, still weeping, and still blistery. Able to bend and twist arm and make a fist. Still a little tight. Spirits are better as co-workers noted. Steroids don’t seem to help with hive/eczema spots which continue to crop up all over. Photo and heat sensitivity on skin very prominent

Day 12: Friday, June 7 – Pain and Progress – Primary Lesion’s blistered converged. During the course of the day, enter intense, searing, nerve-like pain every few hours. Started wondering if this is like shingles. After work and removal of bandages, noticed that Primary Lesion’s blistering is now a crater. Realized that intense pain is likely drainage and healing of the area

Day 13-15: Saturday, June 8 – Monday, June 10 – Intial Healing – Intense pain comes and goes. Noticeable on bigger of 2 Minor Lesions. Erythema has somewhat faded, though still present throughout. Blistering has noticeably stalled on all lesions. All eczema/hive lesions are crazy itchy while poison ivy lesions no longer itch or even hurt except Primary Lesion upon palpation or pressure. Many nighttime bathroom awakenings. Tapering of prednisone started. Hive/eczema lesions so itchy, starting to wonder if allergic to cephalexin. Primary Lesion begins to harden, crater and exhibit incredible, intense, sharp pains every few hours. Attributed to draining and internal healing. Most lesions’ itchiness has lowered in intensity, though hive lesions continue to pop up as prednisone tapers. Scratched a smaller hive and created bruising

Day 16-17: Tuesday, June 11-12 – Healing and New Hives – Growing depressed. This has been going on for a long time and starting to mentally feel unwell. Cratering has increased in Primary Lesion while blistering subsides and skin begins to peel. Minor Lesions are weeping blisters, but a hole forms in one which starts to harden and scab. No craters like Primary Lesion. “Normal” lesions fade in color and weep minorly. Right Elbow Patch starts to fade in color, still itchy. Left bicep area grows itchier and forms new patches. Belly Lesion darkens, but begins to grow in size. New problem: Upper Belly forms new red dots that are very itchy. Very photosensitive on all skin

Day 18: Thursday, June 13 – Scab Cracking – Excitement! Morning shows a crack halfway through Primary Lesions’ scab. Throughout the day pieces break off. Itchy in a scab way. By the end of the day, much has fallen off, showing new skin underneath! Erythema lessens on all initial poison ivy contact lesions. Left Bicep area’s erythema increases along with itchiness. Belly Lesion noticeably grows larger and Upper Belly patches increase in size and itchiness. Sleeping is growing difficult

Day 19-21: June 14-16 – Continued Healing and Increased Hive Activity – All Poison Ivy Lesions continue to heal. Prednisone tapers more and finally rid of cephalexin. Primary Lesions develops redness within the new skin which is worrisome as it’s raised and shaped exactly like the initial contact lesion. Not overly symptomatic, however. Minor Lesions continue to harden and scan with minor cratering. “Normal” Lesions continue to fade in color, have not been a problem. Friday, June 14 is torture at work because I stupidly cut prednisone pill in half, afraid of not having the double dose in the day resulting in major withdrawal symptoms. Unable to stay awake longer than 30 minutes at a time. It’s obvious my body is addicted. All hive lesions continue to worsen except the first Right Elbow lesion. Sleeping is next to impossible except for a few hours at a time. Extremely itchy and uncomfortable around the belly and upper arms. Difficult to concentrate on anything. Decided to start treating hive lesions like eczema condition with heavy lotion use, and not eating anything that could remotely set off allergic reactions. Haven’t slept well in many days. Eyes feel like the desert. NEW PROBLEMS: skeeter syndrome bumps begin to inflame (they do that) and leg hive/eczema lesions flare up. Very itchy

Day 22-26: June 17-21 – Finished Medications and Lessening of all Lesions – Day 24 marked the first day of zero medications, and provided for another day of withdrawal symptoms, though not as bad. Sleeping growing more comfortable. Overall condition is better and able to communicate well with coworkers and patients. Every day itchiness lessens and skin peels all over. Quit having to use heavy duty skin treatments except on leg. More energy and increased desire to accomplish tasks. Less photosensitivity. Stupid skeeter syndrome bumps.

Day 27-28: June 22-23 – Almost Normal – Everything is better. Leg. Belly. Arms. Even skeeter syndrome bumps. Primary Lesion is healing nicely, with a little more ways to go. Minor Lesions are almost fully healed, though still peeling. Forehead has grown a hard little bump, asymptomatic. Elbow and Bicep lesions no longer itch. Belly Lesions only sometimes itch. Leg lesions are getting better. I feel better all around! 1 month mark has been met. Lesions are all sensitive to heat (heatwave right now), but significantly less photosensitive

Pictures!!

*WARNING* Images might be gross to some people

Primary Lesion – Left Forearm Underside

Day 3

Day 6

Started oral methylprednisolone on Day 3 Have treated with 3-4 rounds of Zanfel at this point. Day 6 is larger and raised but contained thanks to the steroid. Note the blistering starting on Day 3 under the dark streaking and growing on Day 6

Day 7 – 7:47 am

Day 8 – 7:36am

Last days of methylprednisolone. Started tracing the outline. Noticeably blistery and raised. Not overly hot yet. Colored rings show the progression of size

Day 9 – 6:26am

Day 9 – 6:44pm

Day 9: 12 hours apart. Growing worse! Blistering and erythema significantly worse. Last pill of tapering methylprednisolone taken night prior on Day 8. VERY uncomfortable. Starting to feel effects on finger joints, much pressure from inflammation on arm

Day 10 – 6:18am

Day 10 – 9:25pm

Doctor Day! Couldn’t come fast enough! Severe inflammation, blistering, erythema, heat, itchiness, pain. Doctor suspects possible cellulitis. Rx prednisone and cephalexin. Unfortunately, could not get medication until after work. So much pressure and inflammation that hand became unusable by the end of the day. Unable to grip objects securely. Notice the dark red coloring, almost purpling

Day 11 – 6:14am

Day 11 – 7:56am

2 views in different light. Looks terrible with much more blistering, but medication started night prior and it felt a ton better. No longer blazing hot, less redness, able to twist, bend, and grip

Day 12 – 6:21am

Day 12 – 8:25am

Blisters have converged into a large one (the whitish pink is calamine lotion that got stuck in the bumps and ridges). Right image is a good view of the skin blistering that continues to spread but much more slowly around the red areas. New symptom: crippling, sharp pain that seemed to pierce the arm’s nerves. Would come on every few hours during the day

Day 13 – 10:40am

Day 14 – 8:43am

It seems that the intense sharp pain has something to do with the cratering that has appeared. Blisters are draining and leaving behind a dark, hard…scab? Noticeable lightening of erythema between two images

Day 15 – 7:27am

Day 16

Cratering is even larger and harder. Signs of skin peeling and scab shedding. Fading blistering

Day 17

Day 18 – 6:21am

Progress! It cracked in half overnight and you can see new skin underneath!

Day 18 – 6:11pm

Day 18 – 9:19pm

Very itchy owing to scab shedding.

Day 19 – 6:16am

Day 19 – 9:49pm

Worrisome progression of the new skin. The red, raised dots on the new skin look exactly like the initial poison ivy contact. Itches to touch, but otherwise not bothersome

Day 20 – 8:42am

Day 21 – 8:05am

Looks kind of bad! However, the redness is dry, not significantly raised and appears to be peeling off slowly. No symptoms to palpation aside from minor sensitivity. VERY photosensitive!

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 26

Day 24 is the first day with no medications at all. Redness is fading and peeling, too, thank goodness!

Day 28 (1 month) – 6/23

Day 35 (5 weeks)

Significant improvement by 28-day (1 month) mark! Itchy and dry to the touch. Been applying lotion. 5-week mark shows improvement, but still there and still peeling

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

6 Weeks: Much less photosensitive, but still peeling and rough. What you can’t see is that the entire area that the lesion covered initially continues to be darker in color than the rest of the arm, almost like a port wine stain. 3.5 Months: I actually forgot about it (or blocked it out??). Rarely, it will itch likely from dryness. The skin on my arm is still darker in color than the rest of the skin, but feels smooth to the touch

Other Lesions

Aside from the Forehead one, these all cropped up as soon as the initial Medrol dose pack steroid (methylprednisolone) tapered and finished (last pill was night of Day 8). Prednisone and cephalexin administered night of Day 10

2 Minor Lesions – Right Forearm Outside

Day 7

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14 (2 weeks)

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 26

Day 28 (1 month)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

By 3.5 months, I no longer remember that I had it. Scars remain and continue to heal. Completely asymptomatic. Skin will occasionally itch as it sheds and heals

Forehead Lesion – Present Since Contact

Fastest to heal

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 18

Day 21

Day 28 (1 month)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

3.5 months: This healed the fastest by far. This far out a faint scar remains

“Normal” Lesions

This is what I assume a “normal” reaction to poison ivy would be. You can see the lines where the plants brushed up against the skin. It blistered, it wept, it was itchy, and got red, but it wasn’t excessive. Really, wasn’t all that bad.

Left Forearm Outside

Day 9

Day 10 – 6/5

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13 – 6/8

Day 14 (2 weeks)

Day 15

Day 17 – 6/12

Day 19

Day 21

Day 22

Ignore the 2 red lesions. Those are skeeter syndrome lesions

Day 23

Sorry, my camera focused on my shirt instead of my arm

Day 24

Day 26

Again, the red lesions are not poison ivy

Day 28 (1 month)

Fading significantly, with a new bug bite farthest south

Day 35 (5 weeks)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

The Poison Ivy lesions have mostly healed. The 2 skeeter bites are healing (ignore those)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

3.5 Months: Scarring still present but continue to heal. Completely asymptomatic. Ignore the 2 skeeter syndrome bites which are also healing

Right Forearm Inside

Only ever minorly itchy. Did an experiment where I popped the blisters when they first came up. Don’t do that.

Hive/Eczema/Rash Lesions

These didn’t act like the poison ivy lesions. They did not produce blisters and they itched 100x worse. The doctor confirmed that it was a systemic response. The big ones got leathery. I treated them like they were eczema lesions and that approach seemed to work. Whatever you do, DO NOT scratch them as they seemed to spread to scratched areas!!! Started wondering if it’s an allergic reaction to the antibiotic…?

Arms

Right Elbow – Day 8 Symptom Start

I made the mistake of scratching when it first popped up. It grew rapidly in response and got even itchier

Then it grew some more trailing lesions

Day 28 (1 month) – only occasionally itchy

Mostly healed at this point. Can be itchy if irritated by a sleeve or bending the arm for too long a period of time

Day 42 (6 weeks) – finally starting to peel

Day 105 (3.5 months) – fully asymptomatic

Left Arm

Day 15 – 6/10

Day 17

Day 18

This is also extremely itchy and possibly a result of me scratching a small red hive. At one point it even spread onto the primary lesion

Day 19

Day 21– 6/16

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 28 (1 month)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

Torso – Day 10 Symptom Start

These popped up last and has been the WORST of all the lesions for discomfort/itchiness by far!!

Belly

Growing significantly larger and spreading to areas previously untouched. You can see the more red areas on the outskirts of the main patch and spreading towards my back. VERY itchy, but growing more painful/stingy too

Day 42 (6 weeks) – Now that it’s healing well and only occasionally itchy, you can see the original patch and how big the area got

Day 105 (3.5 months) – Fully asymptomatic, just scarring which is slowly fading

Mid to Upper Belly

Day 16

Day 17 – 6/12

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20 – 6/15

Day 21

Growing noticeably worse as the steroids taper. Supremely itchy… more than the stomach patch

Day 22

Day 23 – 6/18

Day 26

Itching has mostly calmed, but still photosensitive

Day 28 (1 month)

Day 35 (5 weeks)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Day 105 (3.5 months)

Fully asymptomatic. Scarring is slowly fading

Leg

Day 21 – 6/16

Started popping up. Image is upside down

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 24 – Closeup

Day 21

Day 28 (1 month)

Day 35 (5 weeks)

Day 42 (6 weeks)

Still itchy, but not as much. Still peeling

Day 105 (3.5 months)

Completely asymptomatic aside from occasional itching from healing skin

Second Contact with Prompt Treatment

I got it AGAIN! On July 4, 2024. I had barrier lotion on while doing yardwork and attempting to eradicate it physically but didn’t have face protection and something brushed up against my face. Within 2 hours I had doused my face in 91% isopropyl alcohol, bathed in Dawn dish soap, and scrubbed with Zanfel. I knew it wasn’t a mosquito bite because (unlike the one on my ear) it didn’t itch right away, just started welting up and inflaming, no other symptoms. Because of the quick action, I (think so far) have been able to contain the reaction. It itches and twinges, but so far nothing else. Here are pictures!

Right Cheek

Contact – 8:45 am (2-3 hours)

8:51 am (post-Zanfel)

11:00 am

Day 1 (7/5)

Day 2

Day 3

The others didn’t get bad until a week later, so here’s hoping it doesn’t get worse! Day 1 felt the inflammation affect ability to move cheek. The worst itchiness so far has been Day 2. Day 3 has more of an awareness so far

Day 43 (6 weeks)

Day 43: Itches a few times a day, tingling worse than usual within the last 48 hours. Suspect healing.

Recommended Treatment and Info

From Professionals

Homecare for most cases (mild-moderate reactions)
Severe cases (i.e. difficulty breathing or swallowing, facial swellings where eyes shut, worsening itchiness, full body rash, fevers) require IMMEDIATE medical attention
If/when you come in contact with the plants, as soon as possible, clean the affected areas with soap (even laundry detergent) and warm water. You can also use rubbing alcohol or OTC poison ivy washes. The faster you get it off, the less chance there is of strong reaction
Wash ALL affected clothing and gear including shoelaces in the laundry thoroughly in longer cycles. It is recommended to wear gloves to prevent the spread as you remove your clothing.
Use OTC products such as poison ivy washes, calamine lotion, topical antihistamines, oral antihistamines, cool compresses to relieve itchiness
Do NOT scratch and leave blisters alone to prevent infection
Most rashes take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to clear up on their own and can seem to get worse before getting better. Reaches peak outbreak around 2 weeks

First exposures take longer to produce lesions as the body is slower to sensitize. Subsequent exposures appear much more quickly and last for the rest of your life.

Lesions are not contagious and liquid from popped blisters will not spread the rash because the liquid is just the body’s fluid, not more urushiol oil.

Useful Treatments

Zanfel

Tecnu

Domeboro

Calamine Lotion

Cortisone

Eucerin Lotion

Antihistamines

UV Sleeves

Bandaids