Poison Ivy War

[Bear55]

I only pet my dog with gloves on, she pretty much lives in the ivy.

[OnAFly]

Next time you get it bad, go to your doctor, ask for Clobetasol. All PI is gone in a few days...and it comes in a tube that will last you years. I used to get the stuff 2-3 times a year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I pretty much dreaded the summer, until I got that stuff. Now I still get it 2-3 times a year, but it lasts 1-2 days.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Prednisone is the drug I've been prescribed before.

Knock on wood, I haven't gotten it too bad yet this year.

As soon as I see a "bubble" on my skin, I go to the sink, pop it under water and scrub all of the oil, pus off.

[Steve Foss]

Not sure a rinse in the lake or river will help though? That oil is pretty tenacious.

It takes a good soaping. I prefer Dawn dishsoap because it's an oil/greasecutter. Don't know if it really works better, just makes sense to me. I've had some on my skin before and gotten it washed thoroughly off within half and hour and didn't get any rash. Once you get that first piece of rash/blister, it's too late. The oil already has bonded to your skin, and what erupts from the blisters is not P.I. oil, so you can't get rid of it by scrubbing at that point. But, once the oil has bonded, neither can you spread it around by itching.

Next time I'm at the doc's, I'm going to ask him about Clobetasol. Sounds like a great idea to keep a tube in the camera bag, one in the tackle box and another in the overnight bag. Is it prescription only?

[Bear55]

I've been just scrubbing my arms/legs when I think I get in contact with the stuff and it seems to be working so far. I'm also getting good at staying the heck away from it so that solves a lot of problems too.

[OnAFly]

Yeah, it's RX only. I was prescribed when my entire forearm was covered in PI. I guess next time you get it bad, go in ad ask the doctor about it.

[deerminator]

You can get a shot too to help if you're especially vulnerable. That's what my wife should have done this year per her doctor's direction but so far so good. Knock on wood.

[Red Cabin]

Can U be affected by it without contacting the oils? How about if it is ran over with the riding mower? Would it be better to do this damp or dry?

[Steve Foss]

Can U be affected by it without contacting the oils? How about if it is ran over with the riding mower? Would it be better to do this damp or dry?

No, it's the oil that does the deed.

However, if you shred it with a mower and shoot it out the side, that oil goes all over the place, as do the bits of shredded P.I. with oil on them. You can even inhale them, and that's REALLY bad news.

[Red Cabin]

Thanks, You confirmed what I suspected!

[LwnmwnMan2]

Had my own war today.

I attacked a patch under the apple tree with the weed wacker.

If my typing is all scratchy in the next few days, you'll know why.

[Steve Foss]

Had my own war today.

I attacked a patch under the apple tree with the weed wacker.

If my typing is all scratchy in the next few days, you'll know why.

Good God! I hope you were wearing hip waders!

[LwnmwnMan2]

No, usually I'm pretty good at keeping everything blowing away from me with the trimmer head.

Once in a while though a small piece or two gets me.

[OnAFly]

I did that one summer working for the city during college. I didn't know I was whipping PI, and was wearing shorts.

The following week I went back to school with my legs in bandages it was so bad.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I lost my war.

I'm calling for an appointment to see the doc this morning.

I've got bumps up and down the left arm and inside my left knee.

The oddest part is that I've also got a sore throat, headache and 101.1 temp.

I guess I've got poison ivy AND the flu at the same time...