Poison Ivy treatment....

[JackAysJake]

We just moved into a house that has a few trees out back. Lots of branches and little junk that needed to be cleaned up. Also figured I would make use of my new SOG Jungle Primitive. Which did awesome. I was hacking away to later find out that I got into some poison ivy. It was about 40 to 50 degrees that day so I didnt expect much reaction from the ivy at that temp. This morning, I woke up with my eyes nearly swollen shut. Couldnt put my contacts in and my face swole around the glasses. I take them off and have a line indention from my frames. Went to the doctor and got a steriod shot in the glute. Im healing up a good bit now. Before going to the doctor, I was taking benydryl. This helped a very little bit. I am severly allergic to this stuff. A few years ago I had to go to the hospital. Couldnt breath well. Felt like a car was on my chest. Breathing very heavily, got some steroids, some oxygen, saline and a few hours later was able to go home.

The only home remedy I have found that works is 70/30 mix of bleach and water, oatmeal, and a lot of salt. Warm it all up and spread it on the area. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, nap in the warm bathtub, and a few days later Im good. Now the thing is, what if Im out in the woods far from a doctor, what could I do? Im so allergic to this stuff that any kind of spray and benydryl will no where near cure it. Wonder if I could get a few of those shots on hand. I just couldnt imagine being way out in the middle of nowhere to call for help, if I got any cell signal to get lifted out. Coulndt imagine that cost. Anyone know of any other treatments for the ivy? Or how I could get my hands on the shot. I wouldnt even know if it would be legal.

[hubste5]

Me too... passed it on to my son, he stays in it all the time. I grew up real close to the bleach jug, I'd dab it on straight, with either cotton ball or paper towel. It dries it up in a few days. The best thing you can do is become intimately familiar with it. I get it so bad that I have become programmed to recognize it subconsciously... I see it before it sees me. I have learn how to dance through it with little exposure. I remember those shots when I was a kid, small town family doctor... when he saw me in his office, he knew why I was there. There are many preppers with similar concerns, diabetics especially. It is a sad fact that many will suffer worse fates than untreatable Poison Ivy when the hammer falls. Learn to recognize the enemy!

[rsanders]

When I was a kid I used to play with that stuff,I don't ever remember being allergic to poison Ivy,but my brother and sister could get it if there was a good wind blowing it in their direction. Most find it hard to believe but the little beads that are on the plants, I would pick those things off and actually use them in a pea shooter I remember cramming my mouth as full as I possibly could and shooting them at my older brother knowing that in a few short hours red and swollen up like a tick about ready to pop, he never did figure out where he was getting Poison Ivy from. That's been better than 40 years ago and now I'd be afraid to try touching the stuff much less putting it in my mouth,seems like in the past 6 or 8 years I've become allergic to more things than I've ever been in my whole adult life, but I have to wonder if chewing on the beads didn't build up an immunity to it.If anyone wants to try it I'd love to hear the results of your testing.:D

[hubste5]

When I was a kid I used to play with that stuff,I don't ever remember being allergic to poison Ivy,but my brother and sister could get it if there was a good wind blowing it in their direction. Most find it hard to believe but the little beads that are on the plants, I would pick those things off and actually use them in a pea shooter I remember cramming my mouth as full as I possibly could and shooting them at my older brother knowing that in a few short hours red and swollen up like a tick about ready to pop, he never did figure out where he was getting Poison Ivy from. That's been better than 40 years ago and now I'd be afraid to try touching the stuff much less putting it in my mouth,seems like in the past 6 or 8 years I've become allergic to more things than I've ever been in my whole adult life, but I have to wonder if chewing on the beads didn't build up an immunity to it.If anyone wants to try it I'd love to hear the results of your testing.:D

Cringing...:eek:

[firemanphob]

As far as I know, the oil of the plant is what gets on you and causes the rash. If I have any idea that I have contacted poison Ivy, I use Dawn for my shower. It is a grease cutter and seems to get the oil off your skin. Not 100% fool proof but it does help quite a bit.
Mike

[Recently_Awoken]

If you search Wiki on the matter, it shows photos of ivy, summac, and other bad plants. Also gives rhymes to help remember what to avoid. I'd never known what it looked like until I went out there to research it. And oh boy did I crawl up Mr. Poison Oak's asshole when I was a kid. I had it from balls to scalp... ya, I'll never forget that.

The treatment they stress is removing it before it does the dammage. And yes, it's the oil in the plant. Problem is it reacts quickly to the skin. Effects can be minimized by long (all covering) clothing, boots, socks, long sleeves, and for heaven sakes use all your buttons (you paid for them). A cheap dust mask would be advised as well. Keep gloved hands AWAY from your face, and when work is complete, strip and wash with your plutonium of choice (soap folks... don't go gasoline or anything). The recommendation of Dawn (grease cutting solvent) sounds best to me. At any rate, know what to look for, cover your skin, button up, and wash (violently) as soon as possible after exposure.

For what it's worth, Cheaper Than Dirt (.com) has a cheap bio-suit for like $10 that covers you head-to-toe (with attached booties). I imagine you'd look like an Eskimo-Astronaut (with a loaded diaper) while wearing it, but WTF cares. Probably washable, but also disposable at that price. Seemed to me it would greatly limit exposure to plant poisons while clearing/working rough land. It's all white, so could be used as a snow camo covering as well.

Hope that helps.
RA

[ryantx23]

We just moved into a house that has a few trees out back. Lots of branches and little junk that needed to be cleaned up. Also figured I would make use of my new SOG Jungle Primitive. Which did awesome. I was hacking away to later find out that I got into some poison ivy. It was about 40 to 50 degrees that day so I didnt expect much reaction from the ivy at that temp. This morning, I woke up with my eyes nearly swollen shut. Couldnt put my contacts in and my face swole around the glasses. I take them off and have a line indention from my frames. Went to the doctor and got a steriod shot in the glute. Im healing up a good bit now. Before going to the doctor, I was taking benydryl. This helped a very little bit. I am severly allergic to this stuff. A few years ago I had to go to the hospital. Couldnt breath well. Felt like a car was on my chest. Breathing very heavily, got some steroids, some oxygen, saline and a few hours later was able to go home.

The only home remedy I have found that works is 70/30 mix of bleach and water, oatmeal, and a lot of salt. Warm it all up and spread it on the area. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, nap in the warm bathtub, and a few days later Im good. Now the thing is, what if Im out in the woods far from a doctor, what could I do? Im so allergic to this stuff that any kind of spray and benydryl will no where near cure it. Wonder if I could get a few of those shots on hand. I just couldnt imagine being way out in the middle of nowhere to call for help, if I got any cell signal to get lifted out. Coulndt imagine that cost. Anyone know of any other treatments for the ivy? Or how I could get my hands on the shot. I wouldnt even know if it would be legal.

Talk to your doctor about getting an EPI Pen for your severe allergic reactions. They probably gave you a shot of decadron or a similar steriod and if you talk to your Doc, he might help you out. The epinephrine will save your life and it's what the majority of people who suffer from bad allergic reactions use.

[JackAysJake]

I went to Lowes today and asked what would be the best thing to kill the poison ivy. He showed me a product made by Roundup called Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer for about $7. I will try it out and let everyone know how well it works. I have to get this stuff dead before cutting the grass.

[tommyboy4090]

One thing i learned from my grandma was if you contact poison ivy, oak, sumac, or whatever else there is wash with Dawn like yal are saying them rub area with cold vinegar. It has seemed to work for me and my family, but if you wait awhile to do it still will work but sometimes the vinegar will burn a little bit.

[firemanphob]

Something I learned many years ago that will not prevent it but makes it easier to live with. When the affected areas start itching and you are about to pull your hair out. Run water over the rash and gradually turn up the heat untill you can barely stand it. It will itch like a sob while the hot water is running over it but the itching quits as soon as you pull it out of the hot water and dosen't come back for hours. This is especially convenient on the hands and lower arms but I have gotten in the shower when I have it over enough of my body and will let you sleep without scratching. I know it sounds goofy but try it, you'll like it.
Mike

[Oatmealer]

I have seen so many pictures of poison ivy. Seems to me each picture represents a somewhat different looking plant (size, leaf shape etc) . I am aware of the 3 leaves, and usually anything with 3 leaves I just avoid. I am out and about very often, and I either have not come in contact with it since I was in grade school (That was the last time I had it), or I seem to have a tolerance for it... Either way, I play it safe. However, is there any sure-fire way to tell if it's actually really truly poison ivy? (well except for rolling around in it and waiting to see what happens?)

[tommyboy4090]

I have seen so many pictures of poison ivy. Seems to me each picture represents a somewhat different looking plant (size, leaf shape etc) . I am aware of the 3 leaves, and usually anything with 3 leaves I just avoid. I am out and about very often, and I either have not come in contact with it since I was in grade school (That was the last time I had it), or I seem to have a tolerance for it... Either way, I play it safe. However, is there any sure-fire way to tell if it's actually really truly poison ivy? (well except for rolling around in it and waiting to see what happens?)

Just google it and you should see it, but the way i reconize it is has three leaves together shaped like a tear drop. i think poison oak looks like oak leaves. Sumac have no idea.

[ntwbn]

What

I have learned is that within 10 feet of poison ivy is a plant that will kill the oil on your skin. Some that will do it are touch me not (Jewelweed) and Plantain and maybe a few others. You can put it right on your poison ivy once it has started or rub it on your skin as soon as you touch it. I make a water from jewel weed by picking the plant and boiling it in water then strain. Put the water right on the infected skin and it will dry it up right away. It cuts the oil. Save the water and put in freezer for the next time you get it.
Another thing to have handy is fels naptha soap. My son uses this to cut the oil too. It doesn't work as well as it did 20 years ago so maybe they have changed the ingred. .

[Smiles]

my husband gets poison ivy real bad. he rubs over it with sand paper and opens all the blisters and then pours rubbing alcohol on it. it works great but its very painful.

[bambam55]

poison ivy treatment

I've found this stuff called cortaid poison ivy care removal scrub. it costs about 8 bucks but it's the best 8 bucks I've spent in a while . you rub it all over the affected area for about 30 seconds ,I usually let it set untill it drys then wash it off I've used it after it was in full blisters and when I got home from geocacheing when i knew i walked in it both times it dryed up and stopped itching within a very short time its really good stuff. As to spraying anything with round up prods I think that's the stuff Monsanto makes don't like the co. and their GMO shit their making so I personally wouldn't use it IF you don't know about GMO's do some research BBBBBAAAAADDDDD SSSSSHHHHHIIIIITTTT