They call it poison for a reason

[kdm0811]

I don't know. But I do know that a person's allergies change over time. I was once immune to the stuff (till I got it really, really bad).

 

[two_bit_score]

I don't know. But I do know that a person's allergies change over time. I was once immune to the stuff (till I got it really, really bad).

Thanks. I am really allergic is the reason I wanted to know more.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

He was 58 years old. He got into the stuff while he was using a string trimmer in short pants. The poison cause his lower legs to blister and swell just as you would expect. But then his liver and kidneys shut down from the strain. He was dead 10 days after exposure.

Very sorry to hear this....My thoughts & prayers go out to all that knew him.

I'm allergic to it real bad.... I have never heard nothing like this before.

Thanks for posting this because people need to know.....But it's sad to hear about your friend.

 

[whistlepig]

I am not allergic to poison ivy. My brother is. We both cleaned out a fence row of poison ivy years ago. He went to the hospital for several days. I didn't even get a blister. I also have a friend that is allergic to poison ivy. He burned some poison ivy in a brush pile and inhaled it. He barely survived the stay in the hospital. He was a young man at that time. My wife is allergic to poison ivy. If I have worked in poison ivy and not washed well before I went to bed she would break in to boils from the poison ivy left on the bed sheet. I think some of us that are immune take this for granted. I have seen more young and healthy people in harm's way from poison ivy than any other plant in nature. It is to be taken seriously.

 

[jimmyj]

What a terrible story! Very sorry to hear about it.

What a good warning to the rest of us though so thanks for sharing. I had a pal who once was rototilling out a patch of (he didn't realize) poison ivy. He had blisters all over his legs as big as silver dollars and about an inch high. Some were even bigger. The doctors took pictures of it for their records. He was about 20 at the time but fortunately he did not have any long term consequences.

I hate poison ivy.

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

wow.....i've never thought of death, just being irritated.....

thanks for sharing, it'll sure make me think next time....

my thoughts and prayers will be with you and his family....

edit: the best thing that i did was learn how to recognize it......

 

[Transit]

You have to be very careful of cross contamination; the oil-resin has a very long life.
Even if you use work gloves to protect yourself, the outside of the gloves may be dangerous for weeks. Touch something with the gloves on, a door knob and the next person will pickup the resin and if they are sensitive. Well you know what happens.

PS that means tools too and work clothing, sit on a chair and the next day you have it.

 

[CurlyDave]

In my area we get poison oak instead of ivy. I have always heard that the oak is stronger, but have no scientific evidence.

Anyone who works outside has to learn to recognize the plant.

I always wear long pants & sleeves, no matter what the weather, shower as soon as I come in from any outside work, and never burn any of it.

I also keep away from other people's burn piles, you never know what they put in there.

If you are susceptible, I have found the pumice go-jo (not the slimy stuff) to be as effective as the special cleansers, and cheap enough for use every day. The other thing is that I carry disposable rubber gloves on the tractor, and if I have to relive myself in the woods I put them on before hand. Transfer of poison oak or ivy oil from his hands to his hoo-hoo is guaranteed to make a man miserable for at least a week.

 

[kdm0811]

Been there.
Done that.
Got the gloves.

 

[Sackett2]

In my area we get poison oak instead of ivy. I have always heard that the oak is stronger, but have no scientific evidence.

I had not heard that one was stronger than the other; but after seeing some of the pictures posted on TBN, of the HUGE trunks of poison Ivy climbing trees-
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/140855-my-war-poison-ivy.html
I'll stay with the poison oak.