Poison Ivy tips?

[Freefall]

I'm pretty allergic to poison ivy. So much so that I recently had to get a shot and was put on Prednisone after inadvertently getting in some. Last night out at a new farm pond I was just delighted when nocited a lot of poison ivy around. I'm sure someone on this forum has a good remedy or something they know works fairly well to either get rid of poinson ivy or to do when they first get home such as use a certain type of soap or something to make sure the oils don't get into your skin.

This new pond is great and I'd hate to avoid going just because of the ivy, so if you've got any ideas, I'm all ears.

[snagged in outlet 3]

google poison ivy. Pretty interesting stuff. Rubbing alcohol will cut through the oil. Cortaid has a new product that looks good. 2 step process removes the oil that causes the rash and treats the itch in the second step.

You can get poison ivy from anything that has the oil residue on it. Clothing, shoes and anything that rubs against the plant and retains the oil. They found poison ivy vines in a 5000 year old tomb and it would still give you the rash.

Snagged.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Snagged is right, you must avoid the oils.I would dress in clothes that can be removed easily and cover effectively. I wouldn't wear anything that was tight or had to be pulled overhead. If you use plastic gloves and put the clothes in the washer immediately your chances of avoiding it should improve drastically

I'm assuming you're right on on the ID, we have faux ivy thats about as common as the poison variety growing here.

[Dutch]

If you get it on you, try to wash it off within 15 minutes with soap and water.

[gonefishin]

I guess I am lucky as I have never had problems being allergic to Poison Ivy. My son however is seriously allergic. I took him to the clinic earlier for a shot and the Dr on call told me there is a very good homeopathic (spelling?) remedy. He said for me to collect a small poison Ivy leaf every spring and put it in a Gelatin capsule and then have my son swallow it. Supposedly the Poison Ivy cannot bother his digestive tract so there is no fear there. He (the Dr) said by doing this it will burn up all of the andegins (spelling?) that make him allergic to Poison Ivy and he will have no problems for the rest of the season.

The Doctor who told me about it swore it is entirely safe but we haven't tried it yet. I did talk to a woman who does it every spring. Says she has not had a problem with Poison Ivy for several years now. I have looked it up on the internet and there is some controvercy about it. Some swear by it and some say don't do it.

[Dutch]

I believe I would want a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc opinion befor I started eating poison ivy.

[Kayser]

Lye Soap. It will help with the rash, but also chiggers if you have a problem with them.

Bleach baths work well, too. Dilute bleach in warm water and scrub yourself with a rag. Do this as soon as possible.

You can also use a Poison Ivy removal scrub on exposed skin as soon as you come in contact with the plant and have access to water.

Other than that, perscriptions are really all thats left. I've had to go on Prednizone 2 or 3 times, but I took a shot instead of Pred for a case the beginning of this month.

Hope I could help.

Rob

[Terrapin Station]

I've gotta agree with the Dutch Master on this one...if your son is "very" allergic to poison ivy he shouldn't ingest the stuff. The linings of the trachea, esophagus and lungs are susceptible to reaction and will swell. And for this very reason, don't burn the foliage or vines as well because the oils can be inhaled from the smoke.

[Terry Beeson]

I don't agree that it is "entirely 100% safe" but the reason for the geletin capsule is to keep the oils from reaching the respiratory system and stay in the digestive system, which has coatings/linings that will protect you from the effects of the urushiol.

While the doctor does have some very valid points in his recommendations, I would still rather just shy away from any of the urushiol containing plants. I've never had a bad rash, just minor ones, but then I don't go out and roll in the stuff either... LOL

By the way, did you know all three - poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac - are related to cashews?

[Thom]

My wife and older son are very allegic to poison ivy.

When they get near it (you don't necessarily have to touch it) they thourghly wash of exposed arms legs etc with Fels Napta soap. (sold at walmart)

Even when they accidently touch the plant it seems to always work. If you get the rash it is also good to wash about twice a day before applying any ointment used to stop the itching. It seems to go away more quickly if the skin is dry and the oil that is imbedded can be completely removed.

An old time medical doctor first recommended this to us years ago and it has worked for everyone I have suggested it to.