View Full Version : Anybody use this for poison ivy and oak.
http://ericspharmacy.com/ivy.html
RHUS Tox
I am very allergic to poison ivy and oak. Got back from doing a good bit of hunting on the family farm about 12 days ago and apparently have the oil on something like my gear bag etc. because now all of the sudden I have a minor case of poison oak/ivy.
There is a lot of poison oak around that area.
Now I find that if I am outdoors a lot and know it is around, the best way for me to avoid a rash is to wash my hands a lot and take a shower every night with dishwashing soap. Clean clothes etc.
I also have a pair of boots I wear a lot up there that I dont have to touch with my hands to take off.
That said, on the trail hiking you cant take really a shower every night and for me just walking over a dormant poison oak plant with no leaves, untie my shoes a touch here or there without washing my hands and I would have it.
Back to the title of the post.
When I was about 14-15 I got a series of rhus tox shots (I think as it was a green gel) at a demotologist. Seems like I got a series of 3 shots within a few weeks then a booster shot or two later on.
I did not have poison oak or ivy for 2 years afterward so that is really why I am interested in the linked treatment for prevention.
Believe me, I can spot poison oak, ivy and sumac from a mile away, but sometimes you just cant avoid it. Especially when its dormant.
I thought Rhus Toxicodendron was a homeopathy remedy given orally? Interesting.
Mr. Clean
12-17-2010, 09:21
I use Jewellweed, a plant found in moist areas all over the East Coast. Just pick a plant, crush it, and scratch the hell out of the poison ivy or bug bite. Then, don't touch it again. Itches for a few more minutes, then goes away. May have to do it again for bad cases.
Once I get it its too late.
It can spread over my entire body, especially if I dont take a shower 1-2 times a day.
That is the reason I am interested in feedback since this substance gave me immunity for 2 years.
When I got the shots it was from a dermatologist in the early 70's so it was a long time ago. AFAIK in the US they do not give injections any more. At least I have not been able to find any doctors that do.
Well they used a big freekin needle too because the stuff was thick. Painful but it was worth it to me.
Here is a read on Rhus Tox injections.
http://www.orgyn.com/resources/genrx/D002058.asp
Wise Old Owl
12-17-2010, 11:52
By now you should be able to identify it to lessen the effects... I too have had a three year set of shots to reduce the "all over the body" and I never had to shower twice a day.
I dont have access to the products you mention, I control my Poison Ivy by going out after a rain storm and handling the vine once a year. I get a small amount on my hands and arms and the rash disappears after a week. I am good for six months after that. I keep my immunity up that way.
If you are allergic to a dog - go get one-bring it home, after six months and a ton a allergy medicine - you won't be allergic to dogs. It takes four months to build up immunity.
Still working on that peanut allergy-no solution yet.
There was a several threads in the past on this one.
Many Walks
12-17-2010, 12:22
Tecnu works great. You can rub some on your hands and arms before you go out and it will break down the oil on contact. You can also clean your gear and boots with it to neutralize the oil. Put some in the washer with your hunting clothes to stop the spread.
By now you should be able to identify it to lessen the effects
I can spot it from 3 miles away when it has leaves on it.
Winter I am screwed.
Dig a dakota hole in the winter and hit a root and I am Screwed. Tie onto a tree with a bare vine and I might be screwed.
... I too have had a three year set of shots to reduce the "all over the body" and I never had to shower twice a day.
Now Usually once a day will do as long as its not too bad.
I dont have access to the products you mention, I control my Poison Ivy by going out after a rain storm and handling the vine once a year. I get a small amount on my hands and arms and the rash disappears after a week.
Yikes. I could handle it, then wash up with lye soap then take a shower and wash my clothes, then okay. Obviously you guys have never been in bed for 2 weeks with quarter size blisters covering 50% of your body. If you had you would not be rubbing it on your skin to build an immunity.
I am good for six months after that. I keep my immunity up that way.
Thats cool.
My dad can sit down right in the middle of a patch of poison oak and no ill effects. He told me he got exposed to thunderwood at about age 10.
That would be in about 19 aught 31.
At least that is what Grandpa T called it. Sumac supposedly but at any rate he was covered from head to toe, then totally immune. I should be so lucky.
Tecnu works great. You can rub some on your hands and arms before you go out and it will break down the oil on contact. You can also clean your gear and boots with it to neutralize the oil. Put some in the washer with your hunting clothes to stop the spread.
More talking like for a through hike.
When at the farm and hunting and access to a shower wherever I am good to go.
I live in ungodly S Florida right now.
Got some ripe mango's form a friend years ago.
Got a rash with a crazy itch and went to the dermatologist and he told me mango sap (and fromm the tree and fruit) have the same toxin.
Go figure, since I am even screwed in the tropics.
After trying many remedies, the one thing that worked great for me the last time I had a bad case of poison ivy was a product called Zanfel. My husband just picked it up off the shelf at our local CVS after I'd tried everything else. It's a grainy substance in a cream. The scratchiness of the grainy material felt wonderful when I was rubbing it on, and after I rinsed it off the itching would completely disappear for several hours. I had to repeat for a few days, but eventually the rash went away. The down side is it costs $39.95 for a tube--but if you've tried other things and they don't work, it's worth it. (One tube is more than enough to treat one case if it's not too extensive). It's supposed to work for poison oak, too.
Mountain Laurel
Yes, have used this product, taken orally during winter months while plant is dormant. Works like a charm, but be aware it's not for everyone. They will answer your questions if you give them a call.
Wise Old Owl
12-18-2010, 08:01
During the winter its a hairy vine. here are photos for off season.
https://www.nysdot.gov/dangerous-plants/poison-ivy
No I haven't forgotten 2 weeks in bed, or blisters on my scrotum. You asked, I shared.
Tecnu works great. You can rub some on your hands and arms before you go out and it will break down the oil on contact. You can also clean your gear and boots with it to neutralize the oil. Put some in the washer with your hunting clothes to stop the spread.
Tecnu works well for me. It is the only product I have seen that effectively removes the oil that causes the rash. I try to wash with it immediately after exposure. My worst case of poison ivy rash was in the late fall, while repairing a footlog across a creek. I was keenly aware of the huge vine and didn't think I had touched it, but my bulky jacket managed to rub it while I was working and I contacted that later. I have read that the oil can be active for many, many years. Also, it is my understanding that repeated exposure to the oil increases sensitivity and worsens the reaction. It doesn't bother some people at all.
For those who encounter Poison Ivy and need relief from the rash. This product was recommended to me by a thru-hiking ER Doc a few years ago. It's worked amazingly fast for my bouts of Poison Ivy rash. Expensive, but gives almost immediate, long-term relief.
http://www.zanfel.com/help/
As an improvement over Tecnu, which I have also used, this removes the oils AFTER they have bonded with the skin. Tecnu, not so much.
Ive used Tecnu on poison oak and it worked very well when nothing else i tried would.Also,if you think youve come in contact with poison you can use it to prevent getting it.
After trying many remedies, the one thing that worked great for me the last time I had a bad case of poison ivy was a product called Zanfel. My husband just picked it up off the shelf at our local CVS after I'd tried everything else. It's a grainy substance in a cream. The scratchiness of the grainy material felt wonderful when I was rubbing it on, and after I rinsed it off the itching would completely disappear for several hours. I had to repeat for a few days, but eventually the rash went away. The down side is it costs $39.95 for a tube--but if you've tried other things and they don't work, it's worth it. (One tube is more than enough to treat one case if it's not too extensive). It's supposed to work for poison oak, too.
Mountain Laurel
Mountain Laurel, I knew that was your trailname! (after I forgot)
Yes, Zanfel is highly recommended.
Many Walks
12-18-2010, 21:40
I believe Tecnu would still work on a thru. Learning to ID the stuff in all it's various forms helps to avoid it. If you do get into some the Tecnu will break down the oil if you get it on before it spreads.
I encountered poison ivy in Iowa and for me a rash with that was fairly mild and would go away after a few days on it's own. Funny thing, our Lamas would eat it like lettuce. We saw some Poison Ivy on our thru, but never had problems with it. When we moved to Northern CA we bought a run down property in the mountains. While clearing that land I got into some that was a long dormant vine. I had a rash all over and it was so bad my eyes were swollen shut. I hit the clinic and got a prescription for Prednisone (synthetic steroid). I could tell it was working right way You might check to see if your Doc might give you a script for that so you could carry it just in case you get into some on the trail. I since learned to recognize the various forms during growth or dormancy. I'm not afraid of it, but have a very healthy respect for it...sort of like electricity. I carry a bit of Tecnu when hiking and always watch out for it. I know for a fact that poison oak is some nasty stuff and I'm pretty sure I know how you feel about it. A bad case of that can put a hold on a thru till it's cleared up.
Jewellweed is the best and you can put it on before to deture poison ivy & after a episode of posion ivy but an old timer came into the store the other day an swore by octagon soap.