Poison Ivy

[PhysAssist]

A lot of good advice here.
One thing I did not see and it is one thing I USE. WD40. I have poison Ivy. When i think I have gotten rid of it I find lots more somewhere else. When ever I think I got into it I spray everywhere with WD40. If I have an itch on my hands after being in an area with Poison Ivy, I spray with WD40.
WD40 breaks down the oils!
If I get grease on my clothes I use WD40. I learned it from a mechanic I worked with who wore white shirts to work. He pretreated his grease with WD40 because it breaks down oils.
P.S. I have not relations with WD40 other than what I have just stated.

DMK,

Congrats on the new home!!

While I must admit that I have never tried WD40, [despite having been treated by old school well meaning parents with gasoline, kerosene, D&L Hand Cleaner, chlorine bleach and Fels-Naptha soap, and many more...] but I guess it might work OK- on the other hand all types of petro-chemical exposures can be carcinogenic, and I think we all get enough casual exposure that avoiding intentional exposure probably makes sense.

If you know that you have been exposed- there is nothing better than Tecnu cleanser, as long as you use it before 2 hours have passed- because after that, it is too late- your immune system will have been triggered by the binding of the urushiol resins to your skin cells.

Then in steps the next possible saviour- Zanfel- another scrub, but one that unbinds the resin and stops the reaction.

But you have to treat all areas that have rash- so if it's all over you quickly, you may not be able to get enough of it treated.

The packaging for Zanfel makes the case that it can stop even reactions that have gone systemic [new outbreaks in places where no exposure occurred], but there is no reliable medical literature supporting those claims.

That said, we have had great response to it in our home, and although it is pretty expensive per tube, it takes so little to treat each area that we have been using the same tube for 7 or 8 years [I know it's past its expiration date too].

If you think you have been exposed and want insurance against a severe rash, or you have a rash and want to stop the itch and spread, your other best bet is Zyrtec [generic is cetirizine] 10 mg tabs once or twice daily [even though the label says just once a day].

It works so much better, faster, lasts 12-24 hours, and with so much less sedation than Benadryl [diphenhydramine], that it has almost completely replaced it in our treatment. [IV or IM dosing excepted because there is no other antihistamine that is injectable.]

It is almost side effect free as compared with prednisone, and does treat the itch faster and more effectively, but if you have a serious outbreak, you probably need both.

Don't take it if you have ever been told not to take antihistamines or if you have any concerns ask your pharmacist or your doctor before taking it.

Like all antihistamines, it can [rarely] cause problems for men with prostate problems.

BTW, we use Round-up on as much of the poison whatever we can reach to spray, and then [wearing nitrile gloves] pull it out by the roots.

We have never had any tree show ill effects from the trivial amount of overspray that lands on its bark- but we make it a point to avoid overspray onto leaves.

 

[PhysAssist]

I am highly allergic to just about any poisonous plant you can think of, but I don't let them stop me

You just need to understand how Urushiol works.
You have the right idea with the cheap paint suit.
After coming in contact or as soon as possible, or the sooner the better, get those clothes off and put them in the trash or the washing machine, all of them. Turn on the washer immediately and add plenty of detergent.
Get into the shower and wash everywhere immediately, thoroughly with plenty of soap, then rinse thoroughly.
Understand that this oil is still going to be on your shoes, so take care in handling them. Wash the shoes if you can or where shoes that won't be needing imediatly so you can take steps to get the oil off of the shoes you wore.

I have used this technique to travel through fields of poison oak and as long as you understand what it takes to deal with the allergen, you will be ok....or at least you will minimize your exposure.


Don't wait more than an hour or two. Do not go into your house with your clothes on and by all means do not sit on your furniture after being exposed

Also understand that these plants produce more oil in the spring and early summer and not as much in the winter. This is a lot easier to do in the cooler months.

Urushiol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, when you take the clothes off, turn them inside out so the contaminated areas are on the inside.

All winter long, I end up treating wives who have husbands who hunt because they are out in the woods, brushing up against trees and vines etc, none of which have leaves at all, much less of three, and then come home and take off their insulated hunting clothes [which are thick enough to ****** the resin from soaking through and giving them a rash], and their unsuspecting better half picks them up in her arms and comes to see me to find out why they have itchy rashes on both inner arms.

My instructions to them is to either have their husband wash his own clothes, or take them off inside out.

I agree that the vines are dormant in winter, but I think insulated clothes and the lack of leaves is more the contributing factor, but really who knows or cares- except that you are right, if you can remember which vines, shrubs, or creepers are of the rhus family, winter is a good time to deal with them.

 

[topbuilder]

Thanks for that essay Phsyassist. I deal with this all year, good information. Never heard of Zanfel!

 

[k0ua]

While I agree that winter is a much better time, I can testify for sure that picking up the old dry roots (which I did last winter) and throwing them away can result in a rash. At least it sure did for me. I had cut up an old dead tree and did not notice right away the old dead vine on the side of the wood. I stacked the wood on my arm, and paid for it later. oops. That vine had to be dead for at least 2 years.

 

[PhysAssist]

Thanks for that essay Phsyassist. I deal with this all year, good information. Never heard of Zanfel!

You are entirely welcome TB,

We all learn from each other, and share whatever our "expertise" happens to be...

I learned about the Tecnu from my ultrasonographer's husband, who is a tree surgeon, and is also madly allergic to poison everything.

He has been known to strip near nekkid in the client's backyard to use the Tecnu when he climbs down from an exposure.

A drug rep told me about Zanfel.

 

[PhysAssist]

While I agree that winter is a much better time, I can testify for sure that picking up the old dry roots (which I did last winter) and throwing them away can result in a rash. At least it sure did for me. I had cut up an old dead tree and did not notice right away the old dead vine on the side of the wood. I stacked the wood on my arm, and paid for it later. oops. That vine had to be dead for at least 2 years.

James,

That and our dogs bringing it in on their coats are my main ways of getting it.

 

[k0ua]

James,

That and our dogs bringing it in on their coats are my main ways of getting it.

I took a picture of my arm. I can't seem to find it, but its wasn't pretty, I will keep looking.

 

[PhysAssist]

I want this: Spray Lights Up The Chemical That Causes Poison Ivy Rash : Shots - Health News : NPR

 

[k0ua]

finally found the arm picture. This is after about a week or so. Skin is coming off. This was very unpleasant.

 

[PhysAssist]

finally found the arm picture. This is after about a week or so. Skin is coming off. This was very unpleasant.

View attachment 472755

Yeeouch!!

My sympathies.

What are you doing for it?

I know that there is a natural desire to put something [ointment, cream, etc] on inflamed areas like that, but the only thing we really recommend is cool compresses with a cloth soaked in cold water and/or a prescription steroid.

All the OTC things you can think of to use [Benadryl topical, Neosporin ointment, etc] except maybe hydrocortisone [which isn't really strong enough], are so prone to make things worse either by creating another reaction or otherwise.

 

[k0ua]

Yeeouch!!

My sympathies.

What are you doing for it?

I know that there is a natural desire to put something [ointment, cream, etc] on inflamed areas like that, but the only thing we really recommend is cool compresses with a cloth soaked in cold water and/or a prescription steroid.

All the OTC things you can think of to use [Benadryl topical, Neosporin ointment, etc] except maybe hydrocortisone [which isn't really strong enough], are so prone to make things worse either by creating another reaction or otherwise.

Oh, it is all healed up now. This was back sometime in October I think. I think I put on Clear Calamine lotion. It wasn't much help.

 

[ultrarunner]

I get it bad and have had both eyes swollen shut... misery for weeks.

Just about eliminated it here... years of search and destroy missions with my backpack sprayer...

Some of the poison oak vines going up the trees were coke can diameter so years of being undisturbed.

My biggest problem was running the dozer in dusty conditions... every patch of exposed skin would get poison oak.

I use barrier cream which does work and would only do dozer work a couple of days after a good winter rain...

Use to get it from the dogs and from the balls the dogs like to fetch...

 

[oosik]

Well - I found out decades ago that I'm deathly allergic to poison oak. High school senior- summer job working for the Forest Service - fighting a lightning caused brush fire that burned thru a patch of poison oak. Spent three days in the hospital until they could get the situation under control.

I don't think poison ivy grows in this neck of the woods. We do have poison oak but none on my property. I think I would rather fight a grizzly bear with a toothbrush than go a round with either poison ivy or oak.

 

[newbury]

Poison ivy is part of my springtime ritual.
I was a "field biologist" in my early career, primarily operating in the mid-Atlantic swamps and woods. I had been raised in Vermont with no exposure to PI. I quickly found out that that my AO was a potentially deadly trap but PI only lasted a few weeks. Several times I had it so bad on my forearms that the blisters would soak my shirts.
Then I found an oral solution that a doctor recommended to prevent ivy reaction. Life was good. I'd dose myself up in early spring and no more ivy reaction. That lasted for a few years and then I couldn't find the solution, I think it got pulled from the market because it did not work for everybody.
So I started "self medicating". Each spring as soon as I see some new PI I CAREFULLY WITH DISPOSABLE GLOVES (preferably) take a few leaves and rub it on a SMALL spot on my forearm. I make sure there is no other contact and the oil doesn't touch anywhere else. Almost immediate reaction. Typical small blisters for two weeks. But then for the rest of the spring, summer, fall I seem immune.

BUT it seems the oral solution is back on the market. Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Boericke & Tafel - Oral Ivy, 1 oz liquid is one. Reading the reviews it sounds exactly like what I used to use.

WARNING IT DOES NOT WORK FOR EVERYBODY. But it sure worked for me.

 

[ultrarunner]

The phone company lineman would have a solution called Immune Oak that was taken orally... I still have some vials.

I called the company that made it and was told the new FDA regs meant it would have to undergo clinical trails and the market was deemed to small to go to the expense...

 

[Billy Bee]

I get it every year, but the severity is nothing like it used to be. I am a lot more observant after having some pretty nasty doses over the years. I wash completely and wash my clothes right away if I think I have been in contact. I use Ivy Dry now, but I have to tell you about a home remedy that my dad came up with. First of all, my dad was born in the early 1900s and that generation had a ton of wives tales and home remedies. Here it is. NP 27 and salt, NP 27 was for athletes foot. Anyway he had me rub the NP 27 liquid on the affected area and then rub salt on it. Don't do it, it hurts like **** and doesn't work. Some of my affected areas were rather tender, if you know what I mean. My dad said "nothing can live in salt" I guess that includes me. I was about 9 years old and the first time I ever got it, so I did what he told me, the next time I got it there was no way I was going to try that again. thus the IVY DRY. Every time I see articles about poison ivy I think about the summer of '58. I am sure I am not the only one who bought into a questionable home remedy, come on guys, admit it. I'm pullin' fer ya.

 

[Ford850]

My wife is highly allergic to PI. She will get swollen areas covered with layer upon layer of blistered and using sores, several inches across, turning the skin dark purple all around it. It can take weeks for the oozing to stop sometimes. It goes so deep into the skin it causes scars that last for over a year. Because of this, and because she loves to work outside and to landscape, we're always on the lookout for PI. PhysAssist covered the treatments well. We use Tecnu religiously, and found it works very well if you follow the directions, and then some. You need to rub it on/in your skin, and continue to massage the affected area for several minutes. And I mean by the clock, at least 3 minutes. Add some more if it starts to dry out as you rub it. The best way I can describe it's action is to think of it removing the oils just like Goop or DL cleaners remove dry paint on your skin. You have to give it several minutes to break down the paint/oil, and then all of a sudden it dissolves it quickly. I apply the Tecnu even to areas that have already blistered, and it really slows the reaction and speeds healing.
As others have said, I chop the vines with loppers or a machete, and paint the stump. I use Crossbow (or generic Cross Roads) painted full strength on stumps, and also spray lanes with that using 2 oz per gallon of water to kill PI quickly without harming grasses.

 

[newbury]

I get it every year, but the severity is nothing like it used to be. I am a lot more observant after having some pretty nasty doses over the years. I wash completely and wash my clothes right away if I think I have been in contact. I use Ivy Dry now, but I have to tell you about a home remedy that my dad came up with. First of all, my dad was born in the early 1900s and that generation had a ton of wives tales and home remedies. Here it is. NP 27 and salt, NP 27 was for athletes foot. Anyway he had me rub the NP 27 liquid on the affected area and then rub salt on it. Don't do it, it hurts like **** and doesn't work. Some of my affected areas were rather tender, if you know what I mean. My dad said "nothing can live in salt" I guess that includes me. I was about 9 years old and the first time I ever got it, so I did what he told me, the next time I got it there was no way I was going to try that again. thus the IVY DRY. Every time I see articles about poison ivy I think about the summer of '58. I am sure I am not the only one who bought into a questionable home remedy, come on guys, admit it. I'm pullin' fer ya.

My BIG problem the first time I got it was that I scratched my privates before I knew I had it. Sometimes swelling is NOT good.

The phone company lineman would have a solution called Immune Oak that was taken orally... I still have some vials.

I called the company that made it and was told the new FDA regs meant it would have to undergo clinical trails and the market was deemed to small to go to the expense...

That sounds like the info I got from the mfg of what I took in the early 80's when they stopped selling it. But other oral preps are available now from companies that must have done the trials. But I don't think that stuff works on everybody.

/edit - looked it up on Forestry Suppliers - what they have now is a homeo mix.

Oral Ivy, 1 oz. Bottle
Taken as directed, Oral Ivy® helps the body safely and naturally fight off ivy, oak, or sumac poisoning. Taken orally, you can protect yourself from direct and indirect ivy poisoning. Just add 3 to 5 drops of Oral Ivy to 1/4 glass of water or juice and drink it daily starting 1 or 2 weeks before exposure and continuing daily intake throughout the poison ivy season. 1 oz. Bottle.

Note: Oral Ivy® is an over-the-counter homeopathic medicine extracted with alcohol from poison ivy leaves (Rhus Tox). The manufacturing process is in accordance with the principles of homeopathy as set forth in the Homeopathic Pharmacopea of the United States, the acknowledged authority on homeopathic medicines.

Maybe sinse it's a homeo mix it doesn't require testing.
But I don't infect myself every day, once in the spring works for me.

 

[dmk]

So there are oral meds to prevent?

 

[ultrarunner]

Truthfully there were and it was used extensively by the Telephone Company for many decades... I still have some of the old Bell System product from the 1960's...

There are of course heavy duty meds that are given post exposure... sometimes there is no choice as with smoke inhalation because people do die from this...

Generally it is a steroid treatment which can present it's own side affects...

The local HMO has a blister pack for Steroid tablets that dramatically reduce the healing time...

I have my own system as I can get it just from dust while tractoring... never have to get off the tractor to get it in dry conditions.

Fully cover up... including gloves, use a barrier topical cream, NEVER touch any exposed skin or go to the bathroom in the woods...

Strip clothes right into the wash... except underwear.

Take a cool shower with underwear on and use Zanfel liberally....