Poison ivy

**StumpJumper** · 06-22-2012, 13:19

Last summer I had the worst case of Poison Oak my Santa Barbara Dermatologist had ever seen....

In short - I brushed off my shoes/feet with my camp towel after a river crossing, and then used the same towel to dry myself after an evening river bath. Ya, all up in there.

ONE WORD: Prednisone

I get poison oak every year so I don't even mess around with it anymore. At the first sign I go into Urgent Care and get the steroids. Within 48hrs you WILL feel better and the allergic reaction will go down. Without, I've had poison oak last up to 3-4 weeks!!

HC

**toddhunter** · 06-22-2012, 13:59

Finished the prednisone course a couple of days ago. Maybe it helped, but I'm not out of the woods yet (or maybe I am, at least for a while).

**turtlelady** · 06-22-2012, 14:17

I also react severely. To get some relief of itching, stand in as hot a shower as you can stand, steaming open the pores. The histamines release and get washed away, giving hours of relief from itching, in my experience. Betamethazone cream also works wonders, and requires a 'script.

**zoovegroover** · 06-22-2012, 16:09

I keep uncut citrus degreaser in a spray bottle and spray exposed areas while taking a cool shower. Gojo may have the same effect as urishol is a tenacious oil and seem to be easily removed with degreasers. Have not had an outbreak since using this method.

**linuxhack** · 06-22-2012, 16:35

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Not all fuzzy vines are PI...Virginia creeper, once it gets large enough, looks the same.

Depending on the person that may be better or worse. In my case I have never gotten PI but am still getting over a similar contact dermatitis after pulling virginia creeper vines from my landscaping 3 weeks ago. Different chemical, same result!

**StumpJumper** · 06-22-2012, 16:55

Originally Posted by toddhunter

Finished the prednisone course a couple of days ago. Maybe it helped, but I'm not out of the woods yet (or maybe I am, at least for a while).

Really? If you've been taking Prednisone for a week, you should be good! All the patches should be good and dried out by now, maybe even flaky. It absolutely will not spread further. I don't mind this stage either because I'll itch like A DOG WITH FLEES knowing it's not getting worse and just plain feels like good relief.

Mentally, it's also a huge relief to know it's getting better.

HC

**G...Hawk** · 06-22-2012, 20:59

Originally Posted by Fibby

I can stay clear of it but Graham (my dowg) loves walking in the stuff. I have found that Wet Ones seem to take the oil off wonderfully. I wipe myself down with them after a hike and then I wipe Graham down after he's been in it.

My dog would bring it back to me also. ( standard poodle )
Began using Clorox ( type ) wipes. ( Noticed they take all oil off your hands. )
Sometimes wipe my clothes in specific spots or him.

Began carrying a some in ziplock on trail. If you know you have brushed PI.
Wash the area with the wipe, soon.

There is always the old fashion solution : brown laundry soap, Fels-Napa.
Can still be found in some supermarkets. That takes all the oils off.

.

**MedicineMan** · 06-22-2012, 21:07

the science of dilutions and homeopathy.
we do the same thing with penicillin here in the hospital to those who are anaphylactic with it but must have it....we start out at 1 part per billion and work up to a full dose in less than 72 hours.
The goats via their milk are kinda doing the dilution for us.
PI is getting worse; if you have a problem I think it best to go on the offensive now. What if you were in a situation where you had to go through it?

**Apis** · 06-23-2012, 08:23

I eat the leaves every Spring (start small) to develop and maintain immunity. Alternatively, drink goats' milk - goats love to eat PI. Some caution required, but it's worked for me for the last 27 years. I used to get it bad. YMMV.

Don't do this. Anaphalaxis is not to be trifled with.

My sister once inhaled the smoke of a fire that had burning poison ivy in it. She was in hospital for a day to combat the resulting allergic reaction in her trachea. Mom had to bleach the walls of the house (smoke had entered the house), and deep clean all furniture and upholstery before she could come home from grandparents.