If she is someone you really want to meet, why not just do a companion lunch or dinner date?  I know that lots of guys will think that I am a putz for paying and not having sex. But sometimes the best things in life is just the experience of meeting a lady and enjoying her company.  That way you prove to her that you are indeed someone worth knowing and she might even cut you some slack next time you meet.

Well, I'm a long time hobbiest (15+ years) and this is a new situation for me so I thought I'd throw it out to the board and see what type of feedback I got.

I have a date on Monday with a UTR provider.  We were set up by mutual provider friend who thought we might "enjoy" one another's company.  She's relatively new to the scene and only sees clients that come highly recommended or referred by one of her "friends".   I have seen pictures of her and we have conversed via email and text and I am very much looking forward to our date next Monday.  She's also only in town for a few days.

Here's the thing...

Last Sunday I was clearing some overgrown brush from my yard and to my dismay the next day I found that I have pretty painful itchy rash on my forearms and little on my thighs.  It is only beginning to slightly clear up today, but I'm not convinced it will be gone by Monday.

It's obviously poison ivy, or poison oak.  Now being in the medical profession, I know that despite the general wisdom that poison ivy can be transferred from person to person, that thinking is actually an old wive's tale that seems to persist despite overwhelming medical evidence to the contrary.  

It's also not pleasant to look at.

I've tried every poison ivy remedy I can think of and it's only VERY slowly clearing.

So my question is this:

Should I cancel my date with this lovely young lady on Monday?  This would be our very first meeting and I don't want her to get the wrong impression of me or relay how "gross" my arms looked to our mutual "friend".

I also hate to pass on this opportunity.  She's fairly new to this field and only sees a select few gentlemen and her time meeting new people is likely time limited.  If I pass now, I may not get another chance to meet her.  

Despite my regret, I'm leaning towards cancelling.  I know that if a date showed up to meet me with a poison ivy rash, even though I know its not contagious, I'd still be pretty turned off.

What do both the hobbiests and providers think out there.

I'm legitimately curious.

you gotta cancel. Some people are REALLY allergic to poison ivy. But try and dry it out....google the topic.

but use what would be your canceling communication method to reschedule.  Confirming your want to see her, but your want to keep her safe.

very sensitive folks can get it from contact.

(assuming you didn't give her the heads up about the poison ivy) she'll assume the worst and leave and could place you on a blacklist.

I would email her and be out rightly honest, tell her that you got poison ivy it's a bit unsightly but non harmful and only on your arms. If the area is small maybe you could work around gauze wraps, a t-shirt, ect...

If you start oral prednisone even today, it should be cleared by Monday easily.....

Linnens'N'Things have them in Spanish and Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.

Not everyone is allergic to poison ivy. I am one of the fortunate one's that isn't and maybe your lady is fortunate as well. Those that do not have reactions to it should not be bothered by it. Yes it may be a little unnerving to look at, but there are so many things that could fall into that category. I would be more upset if you had nasty teeth. I would just tell her and let her make that decision for you. Everyone is different. It doesn't hurt to ask.

But keep in mind prednisone is by prescription only and has side effects like making you anxious or jumpy.

I have had oral prednisone far too many times & the side effects were not bothersome but if your case is minor (to others) it may be had to convince a doc.   I don't know how severe your symptoms are but if you have to ask, then you should let her know.  It would be safer to reschedule.

Reminds me of a story.
A guy had been doing yard work...  discover a rash on his private parts.  Confessed all to his wife.  Only to discover he'd contacted poison ivy and transfered it (yes it will transfer) when he did not wash before using the bathroom (not just after).  So he was doubly miserable!!  
Another story.
May years ago, on a trip, my sisters (then very young) needed to pee behind a bush.  They had perfect hand prints where they pulled up their undies.

I'm cancelling...

Well it seems like everyone has pretty much confirmed what I was thinking already.  I'm going to email her today and explain the situation and ask to reschedule.  Even if she says she's okay with seeing me, I'm just to self conscious of it to thoroughly enjoy myself.  I've always prided myself on trying to put my best foot foot forward, I just don't think I'd be doing that here.

If the poison ivy hasn't shown significant clearing by tomorrow, I think I'll try to see my Doc to ask for predinisone prescription.  I don't typically like taking medication but she's leaving town at the end of the week and perhaps with the prednisone, it might clear up before she leaves.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!