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.