I got it again

[lopet]

It seems like every year a have to deal with this poison ivy bulls@#$ , a itchy skin rash witch almost turns me nuts.
This time I got it good ,  both arms and legs, chest, neck and now even my more softer body parts got it. ;D What a mess.
What I don't understand is, why now, as I haven't been in the bush  for at least four weeks.  Can I really get it from just being around  firewood piles , witch were processed last spring? Or can I get it from the dog ?  My wife and the dog are walking in the bush pretty well every day and it doesn't seem to bother her. Yes the dog is in the house, she's mama's  baby and i got no sayn.
It usually takes me two to three weeks to get rid off with showering and Calamine lotion. >:(
Is there a secret, nobody has told me about it ?
Any helpful tips are appreciated



  

[Southside]

Yes you can get it from firewood that has been drying for a year or more, yes you can get it from your wife or the dog, The dry vines and hairs still have urushiol (what causes the reaction) in them for years, and what ever you do never, never burn the stuff - that will land you in the ER. I have to wade through the stuff almost daily and find main vines 4" in diameter often.

The pink calamine lotion does not work well for me.  I use the clear stuff called "Calaclear Lotion" if its not too bad, for the bad stuff I have a prescription of Triamcinolon, its a clear cream and it works miracles. 

The best thing I have found is called Tecnu, its a wash solution that I clean my arms, hands, etc with at the end of the day, it counteracts any urushoil that may be on your skin.  It works great, I may still get a slight reaction here and there, but nothing like if I had not used it. 

[beenthere]

Yes, you can get it from the dog if the dog walked through it, and you touched the dog, and didn't scrub up with soap within a couple hours.
Read a bit about how long the oils of the poison ivy can hang around on things, in clothes, etc.

I got it just cutting a tree and not thinking about the vines on it, nor the chainsaw chips hitting me in the chest and going down inside my shirt.

Now I scrub within two hours of knowingly being in PI.

And have a habit now of scrubbing with soap every time after tying my boot laces..

If ya get it bad like some people do, then need to change some living habits... bummer but just better than the itch.

A Dr. may be able to prescribe some treatments, as well there are things you can buy that some claim to work well.

And Ditto what southside logger said.

[lopet]

Thanks for the advise. I will look in to that cream and wash lotion.

Changing living habits is not a option  btw ;)

[ET]

Im also highly alergic to PI. I use Zanfel and get it any any drugstore. Pretty pricey but stops the itching in 60 seconds.

[NWP]

I go to the Dr and get a shot for it. It helps it clear up way faster than letting it take it's course.

[North River Energy]

Have had good luck cleaning the affected area(s) with waterless hand cleaner, followed by water rinse.
This is when I know I've been through the ivy, done as soon as possible after the fact.

[mad murdock]

Technu soap, and wash your clothes as well. The oils from poison ivy and poison oak is what carries the irritant. If the oil is on anything, it can cause irritation when you come in contact with the oil, no matter where it may be lying in wait for its next encounter.

[thecfarm]

I use the hydrocortisone creme. But can only get ½ % over the counter. A DR has the good stuff.  You got it good.  :(   The juice form PI is some nasty. I forgot,but one drop can infest ALOT of people.
Don't burn the stuff either.     My brother worked for the town in school. They burned a banken and there was some there. That put him out of work. Lucky it did not get into his lungs.

[Sixacresand]

I stay away from control burns, brush fires.  If I do have to get around them I take an over the counter antihistomine. If I break out in a rash, I put Ice packs to ease the itching and swelling, use the over counter remedies.  If it gets in my eyes/face I go get a shot from a Doctor.   IMO, Flies and Mosquitoes can bring it to you, too.
I refer to my dogs and cats as poison ivy paint brushes and tick dispensers :D 

[YoungStump]

I got it right now too hate the stuff!! If it gets terrible I go to the doc and get a shot or Prednisone prescription. One thing I've done and I DO NOT recommend this but it has worked for me is to scratch it up real good and douse it with the WORKs toilet bowl cleaner hurts like fire but it usually takes care of the itch.

[forester2009]

I scratch it open and find the most chlorinated pool I can.  It might burn a little but it clears it up fairly fast.

[goose63]

Last time I had it on my arms I used a stiff scrub brush and straight bleach out of the jug BURNS LIKE the dickens but next day it was gone good luck to ya

[BradMarks]

Expanding on the Tecnu.  Made here in Oregon by Tec-Labs.  They have the original cleanser and the Extreme cleanser for applying after exposure. Also have a product called Corticool for itch(it works pretty good) and a clear Calagel (think calamine lotion but clear) if you have PI or PO. Unfortunately there is no pre-emptive product yet.

[Peter Drouin]

Use an SOS pad and wash it off and be done with it, works for me ;D

[Skidder Kev]

I am not a fan of the ivy but it always seems like we are working in it.    I don't get it as bad as you but when I do, I'm like a few others on here get them opened up the put rubbing alcohol on a paper towel then apply to the affected area.  Hurts abit but it goes away in a day or 2.   
Kev

[enigmaT120]

I use Tecnu and Calijel if I'm too late.  Tecnu works if you know you've been in the stuff, but if you're getting it from your wife or dog you wouldn't know to use it.  I got a pretty bad case last February when I was doing some brush clearing and pre-commercial thinning on the other side of my driveway.  My past several days off I've been splitting and stacking a cord of firewood, then spraying poison oak in the afternoon.  I wish I could hear it scream.

[ScottAR]

I get it from the cats as they are indoor/outdoor and seemingly from the dust from mowing the backyard near the fence if I scratch my back during...   Tecnu works if I know I've been in it.   Peroxide seems to sooth the itch some if you soak it on a cotton ball.  Told to me by a logger friend.  Not sure why that helps but it does. 

I usually only use that on a particularly itchy spot.  There's always one spot that itches more than the rest of the affected area. 

[lopet]

Well, so far I just made everything worse by scratching it and drag it all over my body.  It was hot and sticky today and that didn' t help at all.
Thanks all for all the good advise and I hope one of those things you recommended, will work for me too.

[beenthere]

As I understand, PI can't be spread by breaking blisters.
The new blisters and itch is from the PI oil that is either new contact or a bit later in developing.

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm049342.htm

[Ford_man]

Poison Ivy is almost a pain but it is really just an itch. Get it cleared up .

http://www.poisonivyprevention.com/

This really does work and it will prevent you from getting PO for a full year, it cost $16.?? plus shipping I get 4 pacs a year for some friends and family.

[clww]

I had it much more last year on my arms. Any time we are into the trees with vines on them, I rinse my arms off with water immediately when I return from that set of trees. I dry off using a specific towel just for my forearms. Doing this each time has seemed to help me out this summer.

[Glenn1]

I have had poison ivy at least twice a year for many years before I found out about Ivy Block and Technu.  Ivy Block is no longer in production so the next best thing is Ivy X.   Ivy X is a pre emptive lotion that keeps the urushiol from sticking to the skin.  Then I use Technu before jumping into the shower.  In the past, I always had prednisone available just in case. I know that steroids are not really good for you but it would keep me from going crazy.  Here is a listing for Ivy X.  I think it's worth a try. 

http://www.amazon.com/Poison-Oak-Contact-Solution-Bottle/dp/B001CJGE7Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410047233&sr=8-2&keywords=poison+ivy+block

[red]

Drink goats milk and use goats milk soap

[lopet]

I think, I have it under control now with Benadryl  and the Hydrocortisone creame. I might be still dealing with it for a week or two, but at least the itching and scratching has stopped.
It made me thinking now, that I have to do something  about for prevention.

Thanks again for all the advise and the links