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Poison Ivy : : September 3, 2010 |
| And I was doing so well.... I haven't had a case of poison ivy for years - mostly due to the fact that I lived in WNY but also because I avoided it like the plague. Well, I've gotten it again. I think I got it when I was digging around in our garden, laying down the new invisible fence for the dog. Hmm... well, I've got it on my hand, arm, and just a bit on my face. I have included pictures to help identify Poison Ivy instead of pictures of my allergic reaction - trust me, it's better this way. Since I've got poison ivy and since I've been doing some research on the Internet I figured I'd make a record of what I've learned right here. Basically, when you come into contact with a PI plant, you get its oil on your skin. If this is washed off soon, you will likely have a very mild reaction or none at all. The problem comes when you don't realize you've touched it until you start to break out in a rash and blisters. Then you need to wash thoroughly with a soap that does not contain oils/fats (use something like dish detergent or something all men have in the garage - Fast Orange / GoJo) to remove the oil before it spreads. Then wash all clothing, sheets, towels, boots, tools, etc which you may have contacted. Otherwise you could re-expose yourself. PI oil can cause a reaction after lying on a surface for over 200 years (clinical studies have shown). Then, treat your poison ivy reaction as you would any other rash/blister. Application of very hot water can relieve the itchyness (don't burn yourself) but you should avoid scratching at all costs as open wounds are a great source for infections - especially where you had poison ivy. Hydrocortizone cream can help with itch as well - and taking benadryl, claritin, or other anti-histamine can help. None of these actually reduce the time it takes to heal. The best thing for that is a prescription topical or oral steroid such as hydrocortizone valerate or prednizone. There are a number of treatments which claim to work miracles with poison ivy but none has been proven. Oatmeal baths just leave a ring around the tub, Zanfel ($40/oz) claims to cure it instantly but I think it just washes away the oil (as will Fast Orange from Autozone), bleach is a bad idea, alcohol will wash away the oil, and powders which dry out the blisters make them break and will just increase the chance of infection. It is best just to let it run it's course (unless it is very bad in which case a doctor will give you a prescription for oral/topical steroids) and not get it again. For removing Poison Ivy from your yard, there is one sure-fire way. Hire a professional. Seriously, it's the best option (and probably cheaper than your co-pay on a trip to the hospital). If you are determined to do it yourself, here are some tips that may help: 1. NEVER burn poison ivy. NEVER. NEVER EVER! 2. Herbicides are the safest route but they will kill surrounding plants. Mid-Summer to Fall is the best time as the plant is taking nutrients to the root system. 3. Pulling it out can work - make sure to take proper precautions. The root system is very good so it will probably take 2-3 pullings to remove it all. 4. You may not realize it but PI can be a vine, bush or small plant. You should not try to remove large bushes/vines by yourself or you could end up in the hospital. You should by now realize that you don't want to get PI again - so take the time to learn to recognize the plant. First, remember the saying, "leaves of three, let it be" which means that if you see three leaves it may be PI. In the spring it starts out red and in the fall PI often turns reddish. Southern PI has a waxy look but Nothern PI does not. It may be a vine with lots of hairy creepers or it may be a large bush. Check out the photo gallery for a better idea of what poison ivy looks like. |