Poison Ivy

The Kizzy · Post by **The Kizzy** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:06 pm

Is there anything OTC that you can take for Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac? Honey is a surveyor, and he is always coming home with it all over. I don't understand how it gets on his legs when he wears long pants, but heh. :mystery:

Anyway, Calamine lotion works for a bit, and I heard you could go to the doctor and get a shot, but oddly enough his insurance won't cover it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Post by **Martrae** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:08 pm

There's an OTC called Aveeno or something like that that my MIL uses. She's highly allergic to Poison Ivy

The Kizzy · Post by **The Kizzy** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:18 pm

Is that a cream or a pill? I think the creams are not working

Post by **Martrae** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:58 pm

It's a cream.

Lionking · Post by **Lionking** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:04 pm

Martrae wrote:There's an OTC called Aveeno or something like that that my <b>MILF</b> uses. She's highly allergic to Poison Ivy

Fixt.

Post by **Martrae** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:09 pm

How do you know you'd like to fuck her? She could be a troll.

10sun · Post by **10sun** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:21 pm

Cleanse with Fire.

Or just scratch it up and then use paint thinner to kill the tissue around it. Thats what I do.

Darcler · Post by **Darcler** » Fri May 26, 2006 1:32 pm

Goldbond
Benedryl
The Pink stuff

Buy him some high topped boots, like combat boots or something, and go to the drug counter and ask for an OTC barrier cream. That should help reduce it a bit.

Captain Insano · Post by **Captain Insano** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:01 pm

10sun wrote:Cleanse with Fire.

Or just scratch it up and then use paint thinner to kill the tissue around it. Thats what I do.

This is sound medical advice.

10sun · Post by **10sun** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:37 pm

captain_insano wrote:
10sun wrote:scratch it up and then use paint thinner to kill the tissue around it. Thats what I do.

This is sound medical advice.

Its the easiest way I know of for taking care of poison ivy honestly.

Only worry is if you are bleeding from scratching... that can cause blood poisoning.

-Adam

Captain Insano · Post by **Captain Insano** » Fri May 26, 2006 2:53 pm

hah you were actually serious?

Treehorn · Post by **Treehorn** » Fri May 26, 2006 3:28 pm

Calamine lotion is probably the pink stuff you're thinking of.

I believe there are barrier creams that work like sunblock, I'd suggest those because prevention > treatment.

When you get into stuff like poison ivy, sumac, oak, etc. you're getting oils from the plant on you. The chemicals responsible for the irritation are contained in the oils, which are very persistant. They can cause irritation again even after years of sitting idle.

Also, since it's an oil, just water isn't going to get rid of it- you need an emulsifier like soap to break it up to wash away. Wash with soap and copious amounts of cool water a.s.a.p. Detergents contain like surfactants and emulsificants which will break up the oils- his field clothing ought to be washed between exposures to the oils, or you'll get them spreading to whatever comes in contact with them again later.

He's probably getting it on his hands when he unties his shoes, takes off the pants, etc., and then spreading the oils wherever his hands go.

Thing to remember about exposure to things like poison ivy is that the more often you are exposed, the more severe your subsequent allergic reactions will become, so avoid/limit exposure as much as possible.

brinstar · Post by **brinstar** » Fri May 26, 2006 4:27 pm

jump in lava :-x

Gaazy · Post by **Gaazy** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:31 pm

Calamine lotion is hands down the best you can get, its a lifesaver on fishing and hunting trips.

Gaazy · Post by **Gaazy** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:32 pm

better yet, go to primary care or a clinic and get poison ivy shot. BAM, cleared up in a day

Minrott · Post by **Minrott** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:30 pm

Cortizone

Muglack · Post by **Muglack** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:57 pm

Dog semen... not a joke.

Captain Insano · Post by **Captain Insano** » Fri May 26, 2006 10:18 pm

brinstar wrote:jump in lava

not before I jump in your face tiger! :hiphop:

brinstar · Post by **brinstar** » Fri May 26, 2006 10:21 pm

unless you're a poptart you'd better not jump in my face or i will be mad

Trielelvan · Post by **Trielelvan** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:03 am

Treehorn wrote:Wash with soap and copious amounts of cool water a.s.a.p. Detergents contain like surfactants and emulsificants which will break up the oils- his field clothing ought to be washed between exposures to the oils, or you'll get them spreading to whatever comes in contact with them again later.

He's probably getting it on his hands when he unties his shoes, takes off the pants, etc., and then spreading the oils wherever his hands go.

Thing to remember about exposure to things like poison ivy is that the more often you are exposed, the more severe your subsequent allergic reactions will become, so avoid/limit exposure as much as possible.

Pay particular attention to the above. He will save himself an enormous amount of grief by
Barrier creams help to keep the oils from reaching the skin, as will a layer of vaseline if he can stand it, but regardless of what he uses, he must make sure to wash himself thoroughly as soon as he gets home, and the clothes he was wearing must be laundered in plenty of detergent immediately.

The Aveeno that Mart recommended is a good cream to use because of the oatmeal it contains. You can also make a paste out of oatmeal and apply it to the affected areas, and let it sit for an hour or so. Oatmeal absorbs the oils from the poison ivy/oak/sumac out of the skin, and helps to dry out the blisters. Calamine lotion essentially does the same thing. Just make sure you apply as thickly as you can, and leave it on as long as possible.

Benedryl is a antihistamine, and since the rash is an allergic reaction, taking it helps prevent some of the symptoms.

Likewise, hydrocortisone can be used to help treat the itching and inflammation. The only brand I know of OTC is "Cortaid."
There are also a couple of treatments made by Cortaid specifically for plant toxin exposure:
Cortaid Poison Ivy Care Removal Scrub
and
Cortaid Poison Ivy Care Treatment Spray

There is also THIS product that states it is supposed to be able to break the chemical bond of the urushiol oil from the skin, and wash it away,
and THIS stuff that is supposed to be a solvent for the oil.
I've never tried either, but might be worth a shot since he is exposed to the plants regularly.

Harrison · Post by **Harrison** » Sat May 27, 2006 7:55 am

I'm immune :hiphop:

Spazz · Post by **Spazz** » Sat May 27, 2006 9:31 am

me too dude thought i was alone

Trielelvan · Post by **Trielelvan** » Sat May 27, 2006 9:25 pm

Harrison wrote:I'm immune

So am I actually, but my brother was not so fortunate :devil2:

Captain Insano · Post by **Captain Insano** » Sat May 27, 2006 11:20 pm

I'm immune to poison ivy and plasma rifle blasts, but I tend to get a mild reaction to tactical nuclear fallout.

10sun · Post by **10sun** » Mon May 29, 2006 8:53 am

Hasselhoff wrote:hah you were actually serious?

Yeah, paint thinner is actually a miracle product seriously.