Dang Poison Ivy...

[Bryant]

I sometimes think I enjoy the wrong sport because of my frequent allergic reaction to poison ivy.  I don't break out real bad, but usually from April until about September it seems like I continually have an itch somewhere and it's more often times than not on the bottom side of my arms.

I have tried several "relief" type products, none of which seem to work very well once the outbreak is established.  The best thing I have discovered is showering right when I get home and scrubbing down really well with dawn dishwashing soap.  I read sometime back that ordinary soaps don't remove the oily urushiol that causes the reaction, so I got to thinking that dish detergents break down oil, so why not give it a try.  Since I started doing this, I still break out but it doesn't seem nearly as bad.  (then again it may just be a mental thing).  I think the "Zanfel" scrub is based on this same theory but it's pretty darn expensive as frequently as I would be using it.

Anyone else have any tips, or know of any products that have proven to be beneficial?
   

[jdt]

i dont know if its true but i heard it to be true. drink goats milk from a goat thats been grazin on ivy , after your blank and your blankety blank quits itching youll be immune to poison ivy.








                                                 [ disclaimer im not an md, as always consult a physision before trying any off the wall hairbrained idea in this ad, i accept no responsibility, liability, and will not take any cursings resulting from the outcome of this remedy.]

[Monteria]

I scrub the poo-poo out of the effected aria with bleach. It stings like hell but the next day it is dried out and the itch is gone.

Steve

[elliscountyhog]

Bryant i heard if u pee on it, it will stop the itch. Try it and let me know

[jlingle]

Bryant, I'm so allergic to poison ivy that it's scarey.  I've had it at least 3 times a year since I was 8 years old.  I'm a freakin' pro. :

The zanfel stuff is the best I've ever found.  Even if it didn't work well, it feels so good rubbing that abrasive crap on poison ivy that I'd probably keep using it anyway.  Besides that, you're exactly right on racing home and washing up.  The best thing you can do after being exposed is to get your clothes off, get them washed (so you don't handle them later & get the oil on you again) and then get in a cold shower.  The hot water is one of the things that aids poison ivy spreading, believe it or not.  Hot water cleans you good because it opens up your pores, which is EXACTLY what you don't want when you're trying to rid yourself of poison ivy oil.  Take a cold shower and wash the living daylights out of everything that was exposed with a good soap. 

When I am exposed to poison ivy & I'm gonna have it, my eyelids always swell up right off the bat.  If my eyelids swell, or I get it "down there" then I look like Mario Andretti going to the dr's office.  I don't waste any time.  Life is tough enough without having to deal with poison ivy!!! 

I've tried just about every home remedy you can imagine.  Some work & some don't, but nothing beats Zanfel and a good shot of steroid.  I'll send you a pm on another little tip I've picked up that isn't fit for the open forum.

[jdt]

all jokes aside they say that goats milk really works for good

[buddybegone]

well just a note when I worked with the LCRA we had stuff they called IVY wash came in a bottle and looked like sun tan oil. I don't get the stuff but the other hands said they got it bad but used the ivy wash after they thought they were in it and it kept them from getting the rash.

[BayedBlue]

Bryant,
 
My daughter Kass got into Ivy a couple of hunts ago and I tried something new. I used wintergreen rubbing alcohol on it. It has cleared up nicely and was less painful than bleach...or the shot in the behind my other daughter KD had to get 3 years ago.(the alcohol is a heck of a lot cheaper than the shot!)

My two pennies in!

~Happy & Safe Hunting~
Mis

[gardner32]

I AM ABOUT TO TRY THE GOAT THING LOL I HAVE SOME GOATS AND I GET POISON IVY EVERY TIME I GO OUT IN THE WOODS AND I AM TIRED OF IT LOL