poison ivy

[beenthere]

Thanks to Butzkeg, CVhoss and Doc for mentioning that the blisters being scratched will not spread the poison ivy. I too heard that for years, but experimented many times when I had it and it did not happen. Also have read that too. What I think brings this idea about is that the oil is several places, and 'matures' at different rates, or is on the clothing and infects new areas. When these new areas pop up, it seems that they may have come from itching the older blisters.

I make it a habit when I work in poison ivy to wash good with soap withing two hours of being exposed, wash the clothes, and always wash my hands after tying my boot strings in the morning. Same with the firewood. Knock on wood, but for over twenty years, I have worked in and around poison ivy, and not had a reaction to it. Before that time, it was bad at times. I lost all resistance to it when I did a lot of burning on the property, and assumed I caught it from the smoke. But who knows for sure. (Doc mentioned not getting it through the palms, which reminded me of a time when I got into poison sumac without realizing it, aa I spent a lot of time clearing out a deer bow stand by breaking the stuff with my hands. Then I proceeded to apply camo makeup to my face and arms - what a miserable experience that was. It didn't blister like poison ivy, but it had small blisters that were under the skin and itched like $%#& - and real bad in my palms)

I used to be able to get a product called Neoxyn, by Rorer, Inc. I still have a bit in a bottle, but cannot buy (find) it anymore. It worked great! Contents were Acetanilid 0.017%, Acetic acid, Benzethonium Chloride, Hydrogen Peroxide, Propylparahydroxybenzoate.

 

[Inspector507]

Mama used to wipe us down with Clorox.......burns like heck but seems to wash it away if you get it soon enough. After the fact it seems to dry it up.........or burn it out.

 

[Ken_NC]

Applying alcohol within 10-15 minutes after exposure will break down the oils before your body reacts. Alcohol wipes are handy to have in the woods.
Since the bumps are caused by the body's reaction to the oils (i.e. an allergic reaction), it is possible to have bumps where there has been no contact. It's true that you can contact the oil on towels, washcloths, etc. that you've used; but I suspect in a lot of cases the bumps that are in a location other than the contact location are simply an allergic reaction. This often happens to me...I contact it near my hand, and I develop bumps in that location first the next day. Then, a day or so later, I will start developing bumps going up my arm. I believe that is a continuation of the allergic reaction in a non-contact area.

 

[chim]

The darn plants are awfully resilient. The (manly strength) 41% jug of Roundup mixed a little on the strong side is pretty effective. The first few years we lived here I had the plants reemerge several times after I thought it had been killed by Poison Ivy Killer. I think it was a Scotts product. It seems to stay dead after a dose or two of the Roundup...............chim

 

[Boone]

Well I have a little bottle of Fluocinonide 0.05% from the doc, works to reduce the inflamation and itching. Used to get a anti-imflamatory steroid shot but the doc had to stop that when I got a big bald spot upside my head.

As I have a nasty case of it now I've been thinking about poison ivy today, and quite a bit more than I'd like.

If I go around and try to kill it all, which would be a huge job on 30 acres of mostly woods, I think I would still get it even if I didn't touch it directly again. I'm sure one of my critters would be nice enough to bring some up to me by the way of oil on the fur, or I'd pick up a horse hoof and get some on my hand.

Boone
one more week and round two for this summer should be over.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

(not very) INTERESTING FACT - humans are the only animals bothered by poisin ivy - go figure.

Another warning - Saw someone comment on the weed trimmer - be sure you are well covered, and don't let the clippings get on your skin. (personal experience - didn't tuck pants into socks - itched for a long time). Then, DO NOT WASH THE CLOTHES IN THE WASHER - the oils CAN spread, making you VERY unpopular (again, personal experience, no explanation).

 

[s1120]

Yup, thats how I got it. The weed wacker. Good news. After a little over a week, its getting better. Still a little ichey, but getting there.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just recalled the "cure" that we swore by way back when...

Spend a day at the ocean - in and out of the salt water and sun. Drink plenty of "fluids" (optional to the cure). Focus on the "scenery" (helps stop the itch until the salt and sun work).

Seemed to dry out the itchy patches, and kept it from spreading.

 

[Richard]

My mother is a nurse and as child, admonished me for scratching at my poison ivy as it would spread.

That never made sense to me. I asked her once, how MY BODY produces the fluid inside the blister that was "spreading" by scratching it, yet...if left unscratched and the fluid was already INSIDE my body, I had no reaction to it.

I got a look. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

None the less, my understanding & belief is that when one comes into contact with poison ivy, one gets various degrees of exposure. Some take longer to appear than stronger doses, and as such, may give look of "spreading".

I have never, and continue to not belive that AFTER all "exposure areas" are cleaned of the poison ivy oil, that by scratching alone, you can spread it.

I once (recently) had a NASTY bout of it on my forearm..blisters on TOP of blisters... In Walmart once, I accidently banged same forearm on something and looked like I popped a hydraulic line... the blisters popped and spread all over my arm... I did NOT get a BIT of NEW poison ivy from this. I had FAR more exposure to this "fluid" than ANY plant I could have come in contact with AND was unable to get home to clean it up for maybe an hour or so.

Anyway, not to argue, not to incite... I think that the spreading of PI is somewhat a wives tale told for maybe good reason...(prevent scarring?) I just believe my OWN eyes and experience.

Some reading, surely to bore someone!! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://poisonivy.aesir.com/faq.html>http://poisonivy.aesir.com/faq.html</A>


An exerpt:

Can I spread it by Scratching?
"Rhus plants(poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac) are the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis in the US. Rhus plans contain the potent antigen urushiol, which will sensitize 60% to 80% of the persons who are exposed to it. ...(It) may be carried on the fur of pets, clothing, shoes, toys, tools, or other objects and then transferred to the skin. Approximately 24 to 36 hrs after a sensitized person is exposed to the urushiol, a blistery, itching rash develops. Usually within 15 minutes of contact, the urushiol binds to skin proteins. If it is washed off with soap and water before that time, a reaction may be prevented. After the antigen is fixed, however, it cannot be washed off or transferred to other areas. Scratching or oozing blister fluid cannot spread the antigen to other areas of the body or to other persons. New lesions that appear a few days after the primary lesions represent less sensitive areas or areas where less antigen was deposited, not spreading of the antigen. Because the course of the reaction usually is 12 to 15 days, 2 weeks of medication should be prescribed. Reference [Dermatology in Primary Care 1994]

Once bound to cell membranes, urushiol is virtually impossible to wash off and attached to cell membranes becomes a "warning flag" that attracts patrolling T-cells and initiates a full-blown immune response. Reference [Herbalgram (American Botanical Council) Volume 34: 36-42, 1995 by W.P. Armstrong and W.L. Epstein, M.D.]

Bold highlight added by me.

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>admonished me for scratching at my poison ivy as it would spread</font color=blue>

Weren't we all told that?/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I certainly have no personal scientific knowledge, but I agree with the theory that it ain't the scratchin' that spreads it./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

And you just ain't had a good dose of poison ivy until you get a little piece of bark or other debris in your eye and wipe it out with your finger right after handling the poison ivy vines./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif