removing contacts help - urgent

[discontent]

I put my contacts in this morning without a problem, it was routine. Around nine in the morning though, I developed a poison ivy rash across my face. I've been touching my face all day with my hands, and now that it's night, I can't figure out how to get my contacts out without infecting my eyes. I'm deathly allergic to poison ivy, I've had it in my lungs before, so I know it can get in my eyes and I don't want that risk, but I also know keeping my contacts in over night is dangerous. I'm really at a loss as to what to do, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Sorry I didn't get to this sooner. Just wash your hands very thoroughly, take contacts out without touching your skin if possible and then wash hands again.  See your primary care doctor about the rash. I hope you are better, sorry for my slowness.

MJK MD

[yarrow]

Wow.  That is a problem, and I can see how you would be freaked out.  If you live someplace where there are all-night pharmacies, you could try looking for something called the lobob soft contact insertion/removal kit, which you can google.  The only other thing I can think of is going to the ER (and keeping your hands away from your face henceforth).