Poison Ivy.....HELP ME

[Phil Phelps]

I know remedies have been posted before, but that was then. I have run into a fifteen year old batch of it, and need to know whether I should spray it, or start grubbing it up. No telling how far it travels. When I was a kid, I never got poison ivy. But I do now. Would appreciate your best method of removing it. Pardon moi while I scratch

[Brad Hammond]

the only thing that usually helps me is a shot or a prescription. if it's fairly localized with only a couple of spots i've had good luck with hydrocortizone and bandaids. slather on a dab and cover it with a bandaid. kinda keeps it in contact with the cream more.
always check with your doc though. you dont want to scratch it too much and get things infected.
cya
brad

[Del Williams]

I know remedies have been posted before, but that was then. I have run into a fifteen year old batch of it, and need to know whether I should spray it, or start grubbing it up. No telling how far it travels. When I was a kid, I never got poison ivy. But I do now. Would appreciate your best method of removing it. Pardon moi while I scratch

Sounds like you might need help on two fronts - one more personal the other more environmental. Personal - hydrocortisone ointments unless you really have a dose, then maybe time to consult a physician. Environmental - I usually go immediately for Roundup - if you've got vines going up trees, you can cut the vine and spray/paint the fresh cut end of the root end. Since you are susceptible to the PI oil now, wear gloves and long sleeves when working in the area.

[Dr. Zack Jennings]

It's easily eradicated with common sprays available everywhere. Roundup, Bush be Gone. I think household Amonia will kill it. Just read the labels. Respraying may be necessary to kill new shoots that sping up from roots.

Treatment: It's effectivly treated with steriod shots or dose packs. The itching stops quickly and the lesions dry up in 24 hours.

Prevention Tips Carry Handiwipes with you and wash any area immediately. The rash will not develop. Contact with clothes, such as doing laundry or wearing a pair of jeans the next day can cause contact dermititis and rash. The fluid seeping from the rash or from scratching spreads the lesions.

Severely allergic people have died from lesions in the lungs and Trachea from inhaling smoke from brushpiles and from vines growing on room air conditioners!

<center> I am not a Physcian
However, these tips have worked for me.

[Ken Garlock]

If you have just run into it, how do you know it is 15 years old?

Inquiring minds want to know....

[Ken Salisbury]

Pardon moi while I scratch

Phil --- If you will quit getting drunk and falling down in the weeds the stuff won't get on ya ! !

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[Tom Sweeney]

Phil, I get poisen Ivy real bad. Several years ago I got it so bad on my forearms that it basically never went away. To this day if I get too hot & sweaty my arms will start to break out - even if I haven't been anywhere near it.

What works best for me - some for future reference:
I have this stuff called clear shield. It's basically like an invisible glove that you put on before you go out to do yard work - also works well for paints & finishes. It's a very limited availability product - if your interested email me.

As soon as you are done - if you think you were near it - take a shower & use fells naptha soap. There is also a line of products called Technu you can get at pharmacies - over the counter. there are several different products - one you use like the naptha soap & it washes the oils away - the others you put on after you are infected & they work pretty well. - Also wash the clothes you were wearing & I put the technu or fells naptha in the wash with them.

A new over the counter product called zanfel came out - it seems to work very well - but I've only used it twice now and, they weren't bad cases, & it is pricey - like $35 for a 1 ounce tube. My pharmacist told me that people swear by it.

The shots work well - & the prednezone pills (steroids) work OK - though I usually need 2 rounds of it (pills) - 5 or 10 days each I think. If it's a bad case see your doc & go this route.

If it's a mild case antihistimines like clariton help reduce the itching & even helps to clear it up.

The severe case I had was finally taken care of by - Bleach & salt rubbed into my forearms till they were raw -that's how desperate I was. Hope your case aint that bad.

Hope this helps

[Phil Phelps]

[QUOTE=Tom Sweeney]
The severe case I had was finally taken care of by - Bleach & salt rubbed into my forearms till they were raw -that's how desperate I was. Hope your case aint that bad.

....If I were you I'd wear a wet suit
The Zanfel is pricey but I used it and would have payed more. I'll find the naptha soap and keep it handy. My main concern is getting rid of it. It's everywhere. This property I'm cleaning up, my be mine soon. I'm calling on some southern labor tomorrow to help. I just wasn't sure whether or not to spray and let it do some killing, of start yankin'. Thanks again, Tom.

[Phil Phelps]

[QUOTE=Ken Salisbury]Phil --- If you will quit getting drunk and falling down in the weeds the stuff won't get on ya ! !

....after you get it on 'ya, then you get drunk, a lot, for a long time

[Phil Phelps]

If you have just run into it, how do you know it is 15 years old?

Inquiring minds want to know....

The last time, fifteen years ago when I worked it that area, it wasn't there. If it was, I'm sure I'd have known

[Kevin Gerstenecker]

After years of working in the Horticulture Industry, and being an avid outdoorsman, I have had Poison Ivy more times than I care to count. Once, when I was about 12 I had it so bad I was hospitilized. That time, I had it in my eyes, nose, ears and everywhere else. Eyes were swelled shut for 3 days that time. The best over the counter thing I have ever used for Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac is a product called Rhuligel. I think the Band-aid folks now own the company that originated Rhuligel. It is a clear product in a tube, and it really takes away the itch and helps dry the nasty stuff up. I have tried 'em all.......and this is what I have found to be the best for me. As far as eliminating the source, or plant itself, Roundup Herbicide is the ticket for that. I use a 3 to 4 percent solution sprayed directly on the leaves of the plant. Should kill it dead, roots and all, in 7 to 10 days. The absolute worst cases of Poison Ivy I have ever seen or heard of have come from burning the plant and getting the smoke on you. Good Luck, I hope you get it cleared up soon...............and I know it is tough, but try not to scratch! Don't you just HATE that stuff?

[Jason Roehl]

I'll second the 1-2 punch of Tecnu products and antihistamines (I used Benadryl tablets last time). I had it so bad on my forearms that I could flex the muscles and blisters would pop. I also once got a case of it from a pair of jeans that I had worn a year previously and had gotten into some with (while cutting with a chainsaw--not fun). Best thing to do is to burn what it looks like into your mind and don't ever touch the stuff.

[Von Bickley]

Phil,

Save yourself a lot of misery and go on to your doctor. I was over 50 years old before I ever had any problems with poison oak. If I ever get it again, I will go to the doctor ASAP.

[Ken Garlock]

The last time, fifteen years ago when I worked it that area, it wasn't there. If it was, I'm sure I'd have known

OH, OK Phil. I just couldn't pass up a chance to pick on you a little.
It is bad stuff, I have only had it once, and that was enough to last a lifetime.

I hear that you can make a compress of Johnson grass roots to use on it. Just boil down the roots from about 4 acres of land. It just so happens that I have that on hand, and you are welcome to come by and dig it up. No need to thank me....

[Steve Clardy]

has never bothered me, so I have no home remedies to spill out here. But---on the killing of the vines, a quart of gasoline will make it graveyard dead real quick. Its cheap, easy to use. Yes, I'm a hillbilly at times. ha Steve