Poison Ivy cure?

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I bought some poison ivy relief stuff about 25 ish years ago. It was two parts one was a type of soap to wash the rash and the other was a salve to ease the itching, seemed to work good. Fast forward 5-8 years I got some more on my hand/fingers. I used the salve stuff and got 2nd degree burn on my fingers where it was applied. I washed it off and haven't touched anything like it since. Also haven't gotten any poison breakouts since either. Calamine has been my go to for it when I do/did.

 

[Carl_NH]

As a kid we had a neighbor like that, a really old farmer, when I asked him about getting the rash after watching him grab a hand full and rip it out he said after handling it he would wash his hands in diesel or kerosene. I was never bold enough as a kid to see if it worked or not.

When i have been weed trimming around PI I wipe off with WD-40 in the barn and wash up with orange hand cleaner - seems to work well to remove the oils.

The worst is early spring or late fall when there are no leaves, we had a tree come down in early winter and I cut up with chain saw - BIG mistake- I got it systemically - it would pop up every few days ain different places, finally went to Dr after a week and he prescribed prednisone and it worked well.

Growing up on the farm it was fels-naptha soap and calamine lotion - now its Zanfel scrub and shower if I get it.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I worked for a landscaper decades ago, we met the owner at a place where the owner had a groundskeeper, who had a new plant he'd found and which he was really excited about. Clair, our boss said it was poison ivy which she was highly allergic to and instructed us to throw it out, which I did. As soon as she left I looked at my coworker, he looked at me and we both agreed we couldn't throw the old guy's plant out; so I climbed into the truck, picked it up with a trash bag and we put it back where it belonged.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lest you guys think I’m pulling anyone’s leg I snapped a few pictures just now of the Holy Grail… standard issue 1957 Bell System first aid kit…

Unfortunately the IMUNOAK doses expired in 1961…

I did take one vial about 40 years ago and the Doc said not advised…

The old linemen swore by this stuff and not at it… says it works!

I’m the repository for all things old because not everything is trash to toss.

 

[ponytug]

Wow! That's quite the artifact collection.

Personally, I can't imagine what it would take to get something like "Immuno-Oak" through an over the counter approval today. Times change.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

Buying and rehabbing homes plus having many very senior friends there is no telling what I come across.

1922 coupon to the new homeowner for a gallon of Clorox bleach or boxes of 1920’s light bulbs on the top shelf of the linen closet… etc.

I did some research on Imunoak and traced down the lab that now/then owns it and had a nice conversation with the guy… that is how I learned the difference between old patent medicines and the expense of FDA approval…

At the time he said they would be willing to continue as a joint venture but the cost to go it alone was a major roadblock…

We really did make a lot of things locally in California at one time and Bell System providing it Carrie’s a lot of weight.

Now they hand out a pill pack of Prednisone to anyone affected… not prevention but to deal with the symptom of those afflicted…

 

[ultrarunner]

Here are 2 pictures taken today and I noticed the hedge has been cut back since Sunday…

So many have had miserable stints from this poison oak hedge…

Imagine walking on the sidewalk and brushing against raw poison oak… it happened to mom when she was 88 from her right hand to her eyes and when she used the bathroom..,

I retraced her every step and discovered this patch…

 

[ning]

As far as I know, you only have to wash once. Any oil absorbed into the skin isn't coming out later so do a good job cleaning up.

If you're very sensitive and know you've been exposed, take Benadryl asap to avert the reaction. Yes, take it before it itches!

For topical, use Benadryl gel. Don't overdo the Benadryl; if it's bad enough talk to a doctor before you exceed recommended dosages, keep your liver going.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I've read these preceeding comments with total sypathy - but still, it's hard to really relate to the pain and discomfort. I'm not now, nor have i ever been alertic to poison ivy nor poison oak. Yes, I do feel fortunate.

 

[ultrarunner]

As far as I know, you only have to wash once. Any oil absorbed into the skin isn't coming out later so do a good job cleaning up.

If you're very sensitive and know you've been exposed, take Benadryl asap to avert the reaction. Yes, take it before it itches!

For topical, use Benadryl gel. Don't overdo the Benadryl; if it's bad enough talk to a doctor before you exceed recommended dosages, keep your liver going.

I will need to look into Benadryl use.

Camping I came upon a yellow jacket nest and had 13 confirmed stings and not feeling well.

I took 6 Benadryl and later when I related what GM happened to my doctor he said smart move…

Never thought about liver damage.

 

[dodge man]

I use Benadryl for allergies, 1 or 2 a night. It helps with poison ivy a little bit but not much.

 

[ning]

my guess is that they contained small amounts of urushiol

presumably larger amounts than the homeopathic product

 

[Straightgrain3016]

It might appear to be tenuous to some people, but I quit getting the nasty effects from poison ivy, poison oak, & poison sumac after I quit drinking A1 dairy.

In fact, my overall gut health has been really good since-then; going on 12 years now.

 

[kenmbz]

It might appear to be tenuous to some people, but I quit getting the nasty effects from poison ivy, poison oak, & poison sumac after I quit drinking A1 dairy.

In fact, my overall gut health has been really good since-then; going on 12 years now.

Being severely lactose intolerant, I can't have regular dairy.
Poison ivy, in my case, does not seem to care.
Glad it works for you, wonder if anyone has done a study, would be great if this could work for others.

 

[1 Old Man]

I've read all 6 pages of this thread. I can definitely relate to
being absolutely miserable with poison ivy/oak. My farm has plenty
in the woods and some around the field edges. I try my best to stay
clear especially in spring & summer. Winter time...easier to spot.
Anyway, Dawn and cool water shower helps a lot. But, if you get a bad
case there's nothing that really helps the infernal itching, except...
scalding hot water shower or a hair dyer on high heat. Crazy? No. Before
you poo poo the idea you need to try it. Hate to use the term"orgasmic"
but it will stop the itch long enough for you to get some sleep. I use the
hair dyer (keep it moving so you don't burn yourself) if during the
day or at night the itch gets too unbearable or keeps me awake.
I can just look at PI and it jumps all over me. I've tried what has been
stated in the last 5 pages and the heat is what works for me. Steroids
will help but my Dr won't prescribe until 7-10 days after exposure. By
then I usually can handle it myself.

 

[ponytug]

I've read all 6 pages of this thread. I can definitely relate to
being absolutely miserable with poison ivy/oak. My farm has plenty
in the woods and some around the field edges. I try my best to stay
clear especially in spring & summer. Winter time...easier to spot.
Anyway, Dawn and cool water shower helps a lot. But, if you get a bad
case there's nothing that really helps the infernal itching, except...
scalding hot water shower or a hair dyer on high heat. Crazy? No. Before
you poo poo the idea you need to try it. Hate to use the term"orgasmic"
but it will stop the itch long enough for you to get some sleep. I use the
hair dyer (keep it moving so you don't burn yourself) if during the
day or at night the itch gets too unbearable or keeps me awake.
I can just look at PI and it jumps all over me. I've tried what has been
stated in the last 5 pages and the heat is what works for me. Steroids
will help but my Dr won't prescribe until 7-10 days after exposure. By
then I usually can handle it myself.

The soothing effect is due to the breakdown of histamine, which kills the itch. I also use hot showers or hair dryers to calm things down before bed. Steroid creams work, too, but I try to limit my use of them.

The histamine effect may explain why some folks can alter their diet, and see a reduced response. It is by no means universal, doesn't work for me either @kenmbz, but it seems to work for some. The problem is figuring who, and which histamine rich/inducing foods are to be avoided by which person. Definitely a bit of trial and error, and histamine content of foods is variable.

All the best,

Peter

 

[1 Old Man]

The soothing effect is due to the breakdown of histamine, which kills the itch. I also use hot showers or hair dryers to calm things down before bed. Steroid creams work, too, but I try to limit my use of them.......



All the best,

Peter

Good to know. Thanks. I never thought about why it works, just that it works
for me. I just wanted to pass the tip along to someone who may be going crazy
with the poison itch, not getting sleep and what to do if they wake up itching
to death etc Hit the hair dyer for a couple of minutes then go back to sleep.

 

[ultrarunner]

Never tried a hair dryer but a steaming washcloths did wonders.

 

[JasperFrank]

It is strange that, I can be immune but my brother was not. We walked through some thick woods, not a trail, through the woods, and I was all okay, and he was in complete distress the next day. Rash all over him, and he was having difficulty just breathing. Thought maybe he should go to the hospital. We covered him with Calamine and put him in a hot bath. He recovered in the next few days. But it was odd that this was nothing to walk through in the woods to me, and nothing, I could predict. Cause its my brother, so he should have had the same thing, immunity, I do. And this was not the case. And one time said to a guest, we can see the fire works, if we walk out to this place of viewing. It was full off flowers. Didn't give a second thought to walk into. And AFTER getting to the end point of the walk she tells me, she has an issue with bee stings. She can go into shock if stung. "Do you have an ep pen? In you car?" "No." Don't ever expect other people can go where you can go.

 

[DennisfromCincy]

Poison ivy - if it touches me I get it. I used to be on a plow crew and line crew and we have plenty of it in southern Ohio. Besides not touching it either with skin or touching infected clothing, I suggest taking a bottle of Dawn with you to coat an area of your skin you may have encountered it near immediately. Then first chance you get rinse with water.

We have little poison oak and nearly no poison sumac in my area. Nettle creates a lot of discomfort.

Good luck.