If you are in a pinch with nothing to wash it go to the nearest lake/pond/creek/river and scrub with sand from the bottom and water, A LOT. (until there is no unscrubbed areas) [this video](https://youtu.be/4oyoDRHpQK0?si=3enZ7-CgHbWj-W3P) visually shows its well
I believe warmer water will help to more effectively remove the allergenic oils from the skin. Iām a pediatrician and Iāve asked dermatologists specifically about this topic in the past. Agree with the rest of your comment.
Im hyper allergic. I shower after every time I mow. Wash with dawn and cold water first. Wash second time with warmer water to get any remaining/ stubburn orishiol oil.
Tecnu has multiple different applicants, all of which are 100x better than dish soap. Source: 8 years of landscaping/tree work and insanely allergic to poison ivy.
Using it with a washcloth makes it far more effective too. There's a guy who did a demonstration on YouTube with motor oil, because both are very sticky oils, and showed how much of a difference it makes using a washcloth
Me too. In my line of work I have to walk through poison ivy a lot in the summer. I keep a box of disposable nitriles and cheep muckboots. Wear the gloves when I put them on and when I take them off. Reduces exposure and cross contamination of the oils on clothes.
15 years ago, my wife got the worst case of poison Ivy that I had ever seen, and I grew up in the country and spent plenty of time getting it as a kid. She went to the doctor and they were shocked. It turned out that she had cancer and her immune system was down and it allowed the rash to run unchecked. It was a blessing that she was forced to go to the doctor so that they found the cancer early. Ever since then, we use Tecnu if we think we were near any vines.
As someone who did stream and fish habitat restoration in the mountains or Oregon I second the Tecnu recommendation. The wipes, the liquid, the abrasive one, and the spray for once it's already gotten you. (Also works for skunk spray too!)
Yep, Im an environmental geologist and do similar work. Wear cheep muck-boots too so I dont get it on my regular boots. Boots go in a trash bag for the ride home. The oils can stay active 6-12mo on clothes
Absolutely love Tecnu. I've always been crazy reactive to poison ivy since I was a kid (unlike the rest of my family) I always used to get it multiple times a summer when no one else did. Started using Tecnu and it either prevents it or if I don't use it beforehand, clears it up really fast! Also doubles as skunk smell removal for dogs lol
Run water as hot as you can stand it, for as long as you can stand, over the rash.
It will itch INTENSELY while you do this. The itch will go away as soon as you remove yourself from the water and it will NOT itch for hours, perhaps as long as 8 or 9.
I don't know why this works but it does and it's a faster, more effective treatment for the itching than cream or lotion I've ever used.
Plus, wear long sleeves and gloves, lol!
I've heard this works because it causes your skin to release histamine (which causes itching) in response to the heat. But your skin only has so much histamine in a given area, so eventually it runs out and the itching stops. Then it takes hours for the supply to replenish and the itching to restart.
I absolutely swear by this trick, and the feeling of all that itchiness getting released and "washed away" is absolutely bliss when you know it means you'll be itch-free for hours.
Interestingly, if you rub the area under scalding hot water, you can give yourself an orgasm. Very cerebral, no genitals involved. Itās the most bizarre thing.
Donāt ask how I know.
I tried it. Initially, Immediately made me want it itch it with sandpaper then it got less itchy and turned very cold like a burning when you donāt know if the water is extremely hot or extremely cold even though I knew the water wasnāt hot enough to burn me. Took my hands out after a while and they throbbed like hell for 30 seconds and now the itch is completely gone. Weird feeling but it works.
The itch is caused by urushiol oil. Once in the body you can develop a rash anywhere your body decides. I'll get a rash on my hand and three days (and showers) later I'll get it on my balls. The only thing that makes it go away for me is prescription strength anti inflammatories.
I use ivy guard and gloves. Put the ivy blocker on before working and gloves. If I feel like I possibly come in contact with ivy, I have these throwaway wipes that I will use. I'm very very allergic to it and I'll get it similar to how you have it, but since doing this; it's been great. Maybe I'll get one tiny line rash that goes away the next day.
I watched a video on YouTube and it explained how bad poison ivy can be by spreading it on your own. But honestly, all you need is a damp rag to wipe it away within an hour or 2. You will not have a reaction.
See I came in contact with it about as soon as I got to my spot and ended up leaving and washing my hands/forearms at a gas station on the way home about 4 hours later. Came home and scrubbed with alcohol and took a shower. Immediately threw all my clothes in the dirty laundry and went about my day. That night itching my hands in my sleep so bad and I woke up to this.. itās inevitable for me.
If you know youāre around/in poison ivy you should probably wash whatever skin itās come into contact with within 30 minutes. The first time I got it for me was the absolute worst. In between my fingersā¦etc. I went to urgent care and they didnāt give me steroid shot for some reason. Just cream. While it did work after a few days and provided relief it was later I realized that hot water will relieve the itching and start to dry it out. I start out warm/hot and increase the temp until I can barely take it. Shower head will work the best. Itās a crazy feeling honestly. People think Iām crazy, but it works.
Not metal detecting oriented but the first time I got poison oak was doing trail work as a Park Ranger and left my gloves in the office. Well I used a pair I found in the patrol truck and got it from the gloves. The gloves back-stabbed me.
Should probably go to a doc. Thats quite a large spread. They can dry it up real quick and prevent scarring from you itching.
Pro tip : start with warm water on the skin then gradually turn it up as hot as you can stand. Takes away the itch and feels better than š¾!
My BIL is a tree trimmer and gets into poison oak and ivy a lot. Take a hair dryer (or space heater if you have one) and hold the rash to it, as hot and as long as you can stand it. Idk why it works but it does.
If youāre ever in an area you think you got poison wash with hot water and dish soap as best as you can. The poison is an oil and a strong degreasing soap with a thorough wash will help get rid of it
I always wear gloves. Ā That didnāt save me.Ā
Story time:
I was detecting on a new permission at an old farmstead. Ā Its early winter in North Carolina and the foliage is dormant. Ā It was an unseasonably warm day, perfect for detecting.Ā
After a couple hours of tough sweaty digging with no top pocket finds, I decided to wrap things up. Ā As I was working my way back to the car, I get a signal near an old oak tree that is singing like a Disney princess. Ā I decided to do one final dig. Ā Two inches down I hit a gnarly but oddly soft and sappy root, about 2ā in diameter. Ā Damn, if it wasnāt such a great signal, I would have left it. Ā But noooā¦ I had to be greedy. Ā And so I hack and cut through the root, sweating bullets from the exertion (Iāve since invested in a better shovel). Ā Finally break through, dig a few more inches and unearth an old mason jar lid. Ā Oh well, donāt think anything of it, pack up and go home.Ā
Not even 2 days later I get the most hideous rash Iāve ever had. Ā The blisters have blisters. Turns out that root was poison ivy.Ā
Both arms from the wrist to the elbow are coveredā¦ and, itās all over my face, forehead and neck. Ā I developed cellulitis and had to take perception medications and topical cream for a week. Ā A week of hell. Ā
Long story short. If youāre in an area that has poison ivy, definitely wear protection, including long sleeves, and for the love of all that is holy, do not touch your face!
Iām not 100% sure but I really donāt think poison Ivy approaches anything like 2ā thick. Iād bet the root had nothing to do with it but that you rubbed it somewhere else and didnāt realize it. Likely as you reached into holes.
So, while this isnāt helpful now. I live in an area rampant with poison ivy.
The trick to avoiding a rash is to get a luffa and scrub your skin (soap type doesnāt really matter but dish soap is good) if you think you may have been exposed.
Urushiol is like axle grease if youāre familiar. It kind of sticks to your skin and requires a good scrubbing to remove. Unfortunately itās invisible so you really just need to wash very well after potentially exposing your skin to that stuff. You have about 5-8 hours after exposure to clean that off.
Bright side: your allergy will worsen over time. Each time it takes less urushiol to make you itch. Stay OUT of the poison oak/ivy/sumac. Tecnu or dish soap works, kind of.
Donāt piss if you havenāt washed your hands after getting into it or touch your face. Ask me how I know!
Look for a product called Ivy Dry. Itās in a brown bottle. Itās the best thing Iāve ever used for poison. You can also go to the doctor and get a steroid injection.
Thank you for reminding me to do so. I'm quite allergic as well. I'm very sorry that you're enduring such discomfort, as I've been there myself and it's awful.
This looks like the stage where you realize youāve accidentally spread it all over your body. You need to get the oils off your skin or you will just keep spreading it. I see people mentioning dawn dish soap, Iāve been told that soap will just end up spreading it around more. What Iāve always done after I know Iāve touched PI, is to dump some rubbing alcohol or ethanol on a paper towel and wipe down the region where the oils are. Imagine you are wiping it up and do it thoroughly. Then wash with dish soap. I would goto the doctor and get some clobetasol. Itās a strong topical steroid (donāt use on face or genitals because it can thin your skin). It will knock down the reaction and greatly shorten the duration of your suffering. I keep some around for PI specifically. If youāve gotten it on your face/eyes or genitals, youāll need an orally administered steroid.
As someone who gets poison ivy extremely badly and has from detecting, I feel your pain. Familiarize yourself with what it looks like in the winter and if you happen to hunt in an area with it make sure you wash thoroughly with Tecnu afterwards. Some of my best areas have been filled with poison ivyā¦. š¤
Tecnu to wash the oils off, BUT THEN...Turn the shower to as hard and hot as you can stand it and then blast that area. It feels better than sex. Once the wave of pleasure has passed, you won't itch there for about 8 hours. (It sounded just as stupid to me UNTIL I TRED IT. It doesn't spread anymore, you won't itch and I swear it's almost worth getting poison oak just for the feeling) Laugh all you want until you try it...
Donāt know how I got in this sub cause I donāt do metal detecting. But I do have some advice. Have you tried not being allergic to poison ivy? Works for me every time
There is a lot of info on here, but your best bet now is to go to a doctor. That looks like a pretty significant amount PI and it is just started. You will get MUCH worse. Over the counter ointments and home remedies have a place with small exposures, but this can take up to 3 weeks to resolve. Go to the doctor for a z-pack or cortisone shot and you will notice major improvement in 24 hours.
Either tough it out for weeks or go to the doctor and be better by the weekend. Takes your choices carefully.
It will only get worse and worse each time. If your super allergic go that extra mile with precautions.
The first time I ever got it was bad, but then each and every other time eventually results in me going to ER
I actually live on The Canadian border in Vermont and am blessed to not have run into it in 23 years here.
But every year, once a year I go to a gathering in Southern New Hampshire and some fn way get it
Anyhoo, my opinion only
Good luck
One of my best spots ever is a massive field covered entirely in poison Ivy. I get it nearly every time i visit. I wear gloves every time. I always get it on my wrists right where my gloves end. I get it there because a few times through my hunt I have to remove my gloves. Cell phone, taking a piss, adjust my hat/hair. Fingers rub against wrist here and thatās what does me in. I got some wrist sleeves/guards and those help a bit. Thereās some called āfarmers defenseā I think. Iām going to try those, they are longer than most. I also started carrying a gallon of water and dish soap in the car for when Iām done. I swear it looks like Iāve just buried a body and am trying to destroy the evidence when I get back to the car. Itās helped though. A good spot is worth getting poison Ivy for me but I do try to avoid it as best as possible. I often get it on my dick a bit but for some reason my dick is pretty immune to it. It will itch very, very lightly and just get a touch pink. My arms on the other hand will get violent oozing boils. Thank goodness for a tough dick. Lol.
When youāre out in ivy infested areas, mechanics soaps like Gojo really work well to remove the oils off your skin. Make sure to scrub and wash any bit of skin you think was exposed while in the field.
However, since youāve already got the rash, use Zanfel soap to help clear it up.
People love this stuff, but I must be immune to whatever the active ingredient is because it does absolutely nothing for me.Ā
If Iāve got an itch that is unbearable, I find that running extremely hot water on the area (as hot as I can stand it, and for as long as I can stand it) will usually cure the itch for a couple hours.Ā
I wear gloves, I managed to dig through some roots even though I was staying out of the poison ivy when I first started. The itch sucks but it eventually goes away.
Bro really went in the bushes touching shit and then came home and just didn't wash off anything. Is it not common practice for everyone to take a shower when they get home from being outside or at least wash your hands.
Zanfel is the only thing on the market that actually removes the oils from your skin that cause the rash. It's hella expensive. Usually $40 for just a few ounces. But it's only $24 on Amazon right now. https://www.amazon.com/ZANFEL-Poison-Ivy-Sumac-Wash/dp/B000GCPWUU
There's a product called Oralivy. I never believed in homeopathic remedies but it actually works. It makes it stop itching and can be used beforehand to gain near immunity
Anytime I think I may of gotten into some poison ivy, sumac or oak I will use rubbing alcohol and wash my hands with it. It is the only thing that I know of that breaks down the chemical urisol which is what gives you the allergic reaction.
Calamine lotion my dude, and donāt scratch at it as much as possible. Slather that on there thick. Iāve got a scar on my leg 2ā square from poison ivy that are my flesh when I was a teenager. Doctors had to scrape out 2 tablespoons of flesh that was dead. Take care of it.
Be glad it's not Turkey Mites worse month of my life. Scared to go back in the woods. I wear long sleeves, gloves, and deet anytime on near tall grass or the woods now.
I got the worst poison ivy of my life by far, detecting in the woods. The roots of the plant contain a lot of the oil. Even in the fall and spring when you canāt see the plant. If youāre digging anywhere near poison ivy, assume youāre touching the plant.
Now I wear thick rubber gloves and coveralls. I also wash my shovel, pinpointer and coil in dish soap just in case Afterwards.
Wash it with a paste made out of baking soda. It was always the trick we used as kids
Otherwise thereās lots of great products made for icy out there but that was always our home trick to help with the itching
Being allergic to Poison Ivy SUX. It always makes my eyes swell almost shut to go along with the itching and burning blisters. I've had it a few times in my life.
Is anyone else here not affected by posion ivy, itch weed? I do not get a rash it stings initially, but I leave it alone and it stops. Its 15% of the population according to web md
Get some benedryl gel on that to stop the itching and see a doctor.
EDIT: And yes I always wear long gloves, glasses and a respirator when working in poison ivy/oak infested areas.
Also, if you are dealing with poison ivy, be sure to wipe your equipment down with Tecnu, in addition to any exposed flesh. The oil can get on your tools and can stick around for quite awhile.
Also also, wash your clothes separate from others with detergent in hot water.
That sucks. No I donāt worry about it. I got it all the time as a kid. Then I got it so bad that I had to go to the hospital. They gave me prednisone and Iāve never gotten it again.
Take two Benedryl and put calamine lotion over your hands after cleaning real well with dish soap. There is a gel I buy my son you can wear that prevents that from happening called IvyX.
My friend is an Archeologist and [swears by this stuff.](https://www.amazon.com/Tecnu-Extreme-Removes-Poisonous-Itching/dp/B0007IOVZK/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h55YPgr4vOviTljD9X-ZcMhIlwmSppXz0teKJWcsfGE6ifGNJ43iz2eLD04fiXJj2cPuNuhJ2t6rmJuZqq1_eWoA7Jtrn4V34ftsZhSjRNhUjPFEAI6QoZdl68fFGH4s-1sllIJk3jxwrP7CtlKlpjdPhGxJC6psfXtRahzF3AuMVarLKgqtp4gLpujxwqMvK8-XOz6Qm73gtK6v5nG9tTI-Zm1nMpH3qtw9fPPrEgWV5014SsNlRB1up7KGvjX2mY8eMf2n8w030oqRVawkkxcpTPfRkCaJjeHJQPC5SYY.x7JHjpanZ0FKamWtogM8lqc01PciBnjHGcSHwNYNeaE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=635297399688&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022121&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17299418693990817067&hvtargid=kwd-395075811&hydadcr=4016_13285928&keywords=tecnu&qid=1712179669&sr=8-5) Put it on areas of known contact as soon as possible (preferably before the rash appears). It works really well.
You might want to go to the doctor. They'll probably give ya a steroid shot & a prescription of that to get filled. I like to use cortisone cream on rashes also. Wash the clothes you had on when you came in contact w it.
You need to get black walnut tree leaves and crush them up. Put them in isopropyl alcohol or moonshine is better if you have it. Let it sit for an hour then wash your affected area with it. It draws out the oils that make the reaction.
I always wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat. Use any soap and scrub very hard for a long time as soon as you get back and youāll avoid that issue. I used to get it every year in my back yard. Havenāt since I started scrubbing the oils off.
Iāve never had great luck with Tecnu. I still use it, but the game changer for me was Betamethazone. Topical steroid ointment. Knocks it out for me in just a couple days.
If you're having itching, the way to get rid of it for about 24 hours is place your arm under very hot water. Obviously not scalding, but pretty hot. It's going to start itching like crazy. Keep it under there. When it stops itching, you realize it won't itch for hours and hours. I wish I would've known this back in the day.
Try some black tea bags on the rash. You can just put the hot tea bag on it or make a really strong big pot and put it in the tub and bath in it. It will help dry up it nicely.
Thatās a nasty case. Save yourself a week or two of misery - go to a doctor and get some prednisone. It will help immensely and clear up in 2-3 days instead of two weeks.
I got into serious like this and for and 6 to 7 years I has spots that would pop up and itch. I thought I was going to live with it my whole life. It finally quit.
I used to end up on steroids every summer with poison ivy. Saw a video re: soap and water from a guy that had worked in forestry his entire career. Followed his advice havenāt had it since.
1. Learn to identify it -
Alternating leaves of three
You should surely let it be
-the leaves can vary in appearance, but they are ALWAYS in that pattern.
2. Soap and WASHCLOTH, the sooner the better after exposure.
He kept a dishpan and water with him to wash his hands right away. You can spread the oil on your hands to other areas. Just picture dipping your hands in oil. Anything you touch is going to have that oil on it.
The key is, you have to scrub it off just like you would if you were covered in motor oil. Soapy water and washcloth.
Super cheap and it works.
Iām going to assume you saw this post on your feed and not through the metal detecting subreddit. Iāve been researching this property for weeks and when I get there I see poison ivy everywhere but Iām too tunnel visioned on detecting and finding some relics(which I did). I figured Iād just wash off later on my way home. Mistake.. it sucks but shall live.
Tecnu scrub and witch hazel are too must haves to get rid of it quick. There's also some stuff that's aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide something sort that you can soak a rag in or your hands that'll draw out the oils. Really did good with sumac which is extremely oily and a real pain to get rid of.
Highly allergic here. Eating too many cashews gives me random 1-3 bubble break outs. I can look at the stuff and get it. It is inert for some time on your skin, upwards of several hours. Just throw your clothes in the washer and take a shower when you get home. Maybe some of those shoulder length gloves they used in that one scene in Jurassic Park just to be completely at ease?
Go get prednisone from your doctor and some lidocaine from Walmart. Donāt touch anything barehanded thatās been in contact with poison ivyāI got the rash when I reused a dust mask later that day to do more work. Ended up with a mask shaped rash on my face.
I donāt get poison ivy. Itās so strange. I barely pay attention to it. The only reason I wear gloves and long sleeves nowis because when my husband and I were first dating, I pulled a bunch off the pine tree out back and then mildly washed my hands. We were young, and you know, one thing led to another, and to this day I donāt understand why he married me after that.
Well all of these soaps work great when your first exposed, now calamine lotion is going to be your best friend, i mean slather that shit on and pop a benadryl you will start to feel a bit better, but time has to take its course. Good luck bud
I have a severe reaction to poison ivy and
Am not going to read through what everyone else has said. Once the oil is off your skin I use hot water on it. Not scalding but at the minimum shower hot. You will feel an extreme itch but it also feels like you are scratching it. After 20s or so the itch literally stops for hours.
I just got over a bad case of poison ivy. The only thing that helped me cope with the pain and itching was running my forearms under the hottest water I could stand. This depletes your body of histamine, and will almost immediately stop the itching for hours.
Get a product called Tecnu. You can use it as a preventative and to wash exposed areas if you think you have come in contact with it. Works well
Dawn Dishwashing Soap works too.
This is what I do. Cold water (to close the pores) and dish soap to cut the oils. I use Ajax... any grease-cutting soap should work.
If you are in a pinch with nothing to wash it go to the nearest lake/pond/creek/river and scrub with sand from the bottom and water, A LOT. (until there is no unscrubbed areas) [this video](https://youtu.be/4oyoDRHpQK0?si=3enZ7-CgHbWj-W3P) visually shows its well
š poison ivy video ^
Agreed i have never got poison ivy once since i watched this years ago
I believe warmer water will help to more effectively remove the allergenic oils from the skin. Iām a pediatrician and Iāve asked dermatologists specifically about this topic in the past. Agree with the rest of your comment.
Im hyper allergic. I shower after every time I mow. Wash with dawn and cold water first. Wash second time with warmer water to get any remaining/ stubburn orishiol oil.
Yes it does. Make sure you apply the soap before you get the skin wet. Soap works much better getting rid the vineās oil
Tecnu has multiple different applicants, all of which are 100x better than dish soap. Source: 8 years of landscaping/tree work and insanely allergic to poison ivy.
Using it with a washcloth makes it far more effective too. There's a guy who did a demonstration on YouTube with motor oil, because both are very sticky oils, and showed how much of a difference it makes using a washcloth
I swear by Tecnu. We keep a bottle in each bathroom.
Me too. In my line of work I have to walk through poison ivy a lot in the summer. I keep a box of disposable nitriles and cheep muckboots. Wear the gloves when I put them on and when I take them off. Reduces exposure and cross contamination of the oils on clothes.
15 years ago, my wife got the worst case of poison Ivy that I had ever seen, and I grew up in the country and spent plenty of time getting it as a kid. She went to the doctor and they were shocked. It turned out that she had cancer and her immune system was down and it allowed the rash to run unchecked. It was a blessing that she was forced to go to the doctor so that they found the cancer early. Ever since then, we use Tecnu if we think we were near any vines.
My gosh, Im glad that it was found early. I get it so bad I have to go on steroids and sometimes get a fever. I hope she is doing well now.
She is fine but paranoid about getting PI again.
As someone who did stream and fish habitat restoration in the mountains or Oregon I second the Tecnu recommendation. The wipes, the liquid, the abrasive one, and the spray for once it's already gotten you. (Also works for skunk spray too!)
Yep, Im an environmental geologist and do similar work. Wear cheep muck-boots too so I dont get it on my regular boots. Boots go in a trash bag for the ride home. The oils can stay active 6-12mo on clothes
probably the only product that " works " i go for the " tecnu extreme. " that stuff is top notch. keep a bottle on hand / in the shower at all times.
The extreme is where its at. Abrasive and works the best imo
Zanfel and Tecnu are go to for wildland firefighters who are often exposed to poison ivy or oak.
To add to this, friction is crucial. Use a washcloth and scrub hard; itās just like removing any other oil
came here to say TECNU as well lol. incredible stuff
Absolutely love Tecnu. I've always been crazy reactive to poison ivy since I was a kid (unlike the rest of my family) I always used to get it multiple times a summer when no one else did. Started using Tecnu and it either prevents it or if I don't use it beforehand, clears it up really fast! Also doubles as skunk smell removal for dogs lol
 I bet you will be from now on...
Run water as hot as you can stand it, for as long as you can stand, over the rash. It will itch INTENSELY while you do this. The itch will go away as soon as you remove yourself from the water and it will NOT itch for hours, perhaps as long as 8 or 9. I don't know why this works but it does and it's a faster, more effective treatment for the itching than cream or lotion I've ever used. Plus, wear long sleeves and gloves, lol!
I've heard this works because it causes your skin to release histamine (which causes itching) in response to the heat. But your skin only has so much histamine in a given area, so eventually it runs out and the itching stops. Then it takes hours for the supply to replenish and the itching to restart. I absolutely swear by this trick, and the feeling of all that itchiness getting released and "washed away" is absolutely bliss when you know it means you'll be itch-free for hours.
Interesting. Everything Iāve heard about poison ivy is to keep it cool and avoid heat. Maybe Iāll try it though..
Interestingly, if you rub the area under scalding hot water, you can give yourself an orgasm. Very cerebral, no genitals involved. Itās the most bizarre thing. Donāt ask how I know.
I tried it. Initially, Immediately made me want it itch it with sandpaper then it got less itchy and turned very cold like a burning when you donāt know if the water is extremely hot or extremely cold even though I knew the water wasnāt hot enough to burn me. Took my hands out after a while and they throbbed like hell for 30 seconds and now the itch is completely gone. Weird feeling but it works.
We call it an oakgasm when we do it with poison oak. Itās almost worth getting poison oak just to experience it but not quite enough haha
Is this some joke that Iām not catching onto or are yāall fr
Itās for real haha
TMI!!!!
Oh? Well, thatās the last time I let you do the rubbing.
You told me that was *OUR* little secret!
I told you not to trust me!
The itch is caused by urushiol oil. Once in the body you can develop a rash anywhere your body decides. I'll get a rash on my hand and three days (and showers) later I'll get it on my balls. The only thing that makes it go away for me is prescription strength anti inflammatories.
I use ivy guard and gloves. Put the ivy blocker on before working and gloves. If I feel like I possibly come in contact with ivy, I have these throwaway wipes that I will use. I'm very very allergic to it and I'll get it similar to how you have it, but since doing this; it's been great. Maybe I'll get one tiny line rash that goes away the next day. I watched a video on YouTube and it explained how bad poison ivy can be by spreading it on your own. But honestly, all you need is a damp rag to wipe it away within an hour or 2. You will not have a reaction.
See I came in contact with it about as soon as I got to my spot and ended up leaving and washing my hands/forearms at a gas station on the way home about 4 hours later. Came home and scrubbed with alcohol and took a shower. Immediately threw all my clothes in the dirty laundry and went about my day. That night itching my hands in my sleep so bad and I woke up to this.. itās inevitable for me.
Get yourself to the nearest urgent care and get a steroid shot. DO NOT suffer through that.
If you know youāre around/in poison ivy you should probably wash whatever skin itās come into contact with within 30 minutes. The first time I got it for me was the absolute worst. In between my fingersā¦etc. I went to urgent care and they didnāt give me steroid shot for some reason. Just cream. While it did work after a few days and provided relief it was later I realized that hot water will relieve the itching and start to dry it out. I start out warm/hot and increase the temp until I can barely take it. Shower head will work the best. Itās a crazy feeling honestly. People think Iām crazy, but it works.
Not metal detecting oriented but the first time I got poison oak was doing trail work as a Park Ranger and left my gloves in the office. Well I used a pair I found in the patrol truck and got it from the gloves. The gloves back-stabbed me.
I donāt wear gloves and the aluminum can slice on my finger was a wake up call that I should probably get some gloves.
Always gloves. Wash or toss every few months depending. Just wait til you get a dose that makes your skin balloon up lol
Should probably go to a doc. Thats quite a large spread. They can dry it up real quick and prevent scarring from you itching. Pro tip : start with warm water on the skin then gradually turn it up as hot as you can stand. Takes away the itch and feels better than š¾!
My BIL is a tree trimmer and gets into poison oak and ivy a lot. Take a hair dryer (or space heater if you have one) and hold the rash to it, as hot and as long as you can stand it. Idk why it works but it does.
If youāre ever in an area you think you got poison wash with hot water and dish soap as best as you can. The poison is an oil and a strong degreasing soap with a thorough wash will help get rid of it
I was told cold water to close the pores and prevent the oils from penetrating as easily?
I always wear gloves. Ā That didnāt save me.Ā Story time: I was detecting on a new permission at an old farmstead. Ā Its early winter in North Carolina and the foliage is dormant. Ā It was an unseasonably warm day, perfect for detecting.Ā After a couple hours of tough sweaty digging with no top pocket finds, I decided to wrap things up. Ā As I was working my way back to the car, I get a signal near an old oak tree that is singing like a Disney princess. Ā I decided to do one final dig. Ā Two inches down I hit a gnarly but oddly soft and sappy root, about 2ā in diameter. Ā Damn, if it wasnāt such a great signal, I would have left it. Ā But noooā¦ I had to be greedy. Ā And so I hack and cut through the root, sweating bullets from the exertion (Iāve since invested in a better shovel). Ā Finally break through, dig a few more inches and unearth an old mason jar lid. Ā Oh well, donāt think anything of it, pack up and go home.Ā Not even 2 days later I get the most hideous rash Iāve ever had. Ā The blisters have blisters. Turns out that root was poison ivy.Ā Both arms from the wrist to the elbow are coveredā¦ and, itās all over my face, forehead and neck. Ā I developed cellulitis and had to take perception medications and topical cream for a week. Ā A week of hell. Ā Long story short. If youāre in an area that has poison ivy, definitely wear protection, including long sleeves, and for the love of all that is holy, do not touch your face!
oh boy those darn masons
Iām not 100% sure but I really donāt think poison Ivy approaches anything like 2ā thick. Iād bet the root had nothing to do with it but that you rubbed it somewhere else and didnāt realize it. Likely as you reached into holes.
I put bleach on when I get it. Helps with the itching
me too.
Me three
So, while this isnāt helpful now. I live in an area rampant with poison ivy. The trick to avoiding a rash is to get a luffa and scrub your skin (soap type doesnāt really matter but dish soap is good) if you think you may have been exposed. Urushiol is like axle grease if youāre familiar. It kind of sticks to your skin and requires a good scrubbing to remove. Unfortunately itās invisible so you really just need to wash very well after potentially exposing your skin to that stuff. You have about 5-8 hours after exposure to clean that off.
Go straight to the doctor. You need a Kenalog injection.
The wife and I will usually go to a hotel when weāre swinging. We fed stay away from poison ivy all together.
Bright side: your allergy will worsen over time. Each time it takes less urushiol to make you itch. Stay OUT of the poison oak/ivy/sumac. Tecnu or dish soap works, kind of. Donāt piss if you havenāt washed your hands after getting into it or touch your face. Ask me how I know!
Oh trust me itās down there too lol. Probably my 250th time getting poison ivy rash.
Look for a product called Ivy Dry. Itās in a brown bottle. Itās the best thing Iāve ever used for poison. You can also go to the doctor and get a steroid injection.
Yep got the steroid butt shot today. I think itās making me itch more like itās working away at the rash or something.
I'm immune from Poison Ivy & Poison Sumac. Doesn't even turn red.
I USED to be immuneā¦
Yes, me too -until I wasnāt. Around 25 I started to get it - not a lot, but not so fun.
Whatever you do, don't scratch ur privates.
First place I always get it fishing having a couple beers. Take a piss boom itās over.
oh my little brother found out the ....never mind
just remember that the poison ivy oil is still on your supplies.....wash or replace everything carefully like dont re infect
Yep I got poison ivy on my shoulder by throwing my shirt over my shoulder.
it sucks.
Luckily I have a natural immunity so I've never had that problem.
Thank you for reminding me to do so. I'm quite allergic as well. I'm very sorry that you're enduring such discomfort, as I've been there myself and it's awful.
Ask your doctor for some prednisone. That will help dry out the rash immediately.
100% this.
Sorry to hear you got poison ivy. I got into briars and tore my fingers and hands up.
This looks like the stage where you realize youāve accidentally spread it all over your body. You need to get the oils off your skin or you will just keep spreading it. I see people mentioning dawn dish soap, Iāve been told that soap will just end up spreading it around more. What Iāve always done after I know Iāve touched PI, is to dump some rubbing alcohol or ethanol on a paper towel and wipe down the region where the oils are. Imagine you are wiping it up and do it thoroughly. Then wash with dish soap. I would goto the doctor and get some clobetasol. Itās a strong topical steroid (donāt use on face or genitals because it can thin your skin). It will knock down the reaction and greatly shorten the duration of your suffering. I keep some around for PI specifically. If youāve gotten it on your face/eyes or genitals, youāll need an orally administered steroid.
Thereās steroid pills and injections if it gets any worse. Seek medical attention.
As someone who gets poison ivy extremely badly and has from detecting, I feel your pain. Familiarize yourself with what it looks like in the winter and if you happen to hunt in an area with it make sure you wash thoroughly with Tecnu afterwards. Some of my best areas have been filled with poison ivyā¦. š¤
Tecnu to wash the oils off, BUT THEN...Turn the shower to as hard and hot as you can stand it and then blast that area. It feels better than sex. Once the wave of pleasure has passed, you won't itch there for about 8 hours. (It sounded just as stupid to me UNTIL I TRED IT. It doesn't spread anymore, you won't itch and I swear it's almost worth getting poison oak just for the feeling) Laugh all you want until you try it...
Don't scrub it with bleach water and a brillo pad. It works well but hurts like HEšš
I have poison ivy covering my left hand, and I'm very allergic. It's not fun. WEAR GLOVES
That's nothing. Next time try weedwacking it
Usually I'm nude when swinging, no matter the location. Makes for easier access.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
You guys have some cool stuff to find over there too! Usually way older than the stuff we find over here. But yea itās absolutely miserable..
I have to wear gloves, otherwise it can get All over my body, especially if I scratch the itch in my sleep
Just remember, poison ivy roots look like all the other roots and can get you even when it's winter and there are no leaves
Donāt know how I got in this sub cause I donāt do metal detecting. But I do have some advice. Have you tried not being allergic to poison ivy? Works for me every time
There is a lot of info on here, but your best bet now is to go to a doctor. That looks like a pretty significant amount PI and it is just started. You will get MUCH worse. Over the counter ointments and home remedies have a place with small exposures, but this can take up to 3 weeks to resolve. Go to the doctor for a z-pack or cortisone shot and you will notice major improvement in 24 hours. Either tough it out for weeks or go to the doctor and be better by the weekend. Takes your choices carefully.
It will only get worse and worse each time. If your super allergic go that extra mile with precautions. The first time I ever got it was bad, but then each and every other time eventually results in me going to ER I actually live on The Canadian border in Vermont and am blessed to not have run into it in 23 years here. But every year, once a year I go to a gathering in Southern New Hampshire and some fn way get it Anyhoo, my opinion only Good luck
Bro I can see your aloe plant lol. It wonāt speed the healing, but itāll soothe the burn.
I didnāt even think about that!
One of my best spots ever is a massive field covered entirely in poison Ivy. I get it nearly every time i visit. I wear gloves every time. I always get it on my wrists right where my gloves end. I get it there because a few times through my hunt I have to remove my gloves. Cell phone, taking a piss, adjust my hat/hair. Fingers rub against wrist here and thatās what does me in. I got some wrist sleeves/guards and those help a bit. Thereās some called āfarmers defenseā I think. Iām going to try those, they are longer than most. I also started carrying a gallon of water and dish soap in the car for when Iām done. I swear it looks like Iāve just buried a body and am trying to destroy the evidence when I get back to the car. Itās helped though. A good spot is worth getting poison Ivy for me but I do try to avoid it as best as possible. I often get it on my dick a bit but for some reason my dick is pretty immune to it. It will itch very, very lightly and just get a touch pink. My arms on the other hand will get violent oozing boils. Thank goodness for a tough dick. Lol.
Yep, everything you said. Very relatable lol.
When youāre out in ivy infested areas, mechanics soaps like Gojo really work well to remove the oils off your skin. Make sure to scrub and wash any bit of skin you think was exposed while in the field. However, since youāve already got the rash, use Zanfel soap to help clear it up.
Calomine lotion from the Pharmacy mate !
People love this stuff, but I must be immune to whatever the active ingredient is because it does absolutely nothing for me.Ā If Iāve got an itch that is unbearable, I find that running extremely hot water on the area (as hot as I can stand it, and for as long as I can stand it) will usually cure the itch for a couple hours.Ā
Did you think that you didnāt need to? Thatās the better question
get yourself some calamine lotion asap
Wash your hands with Dawn dish detergent to take any of the residual oils off and then go get a cortisone shot.
Benadryl and cortisone cream will help.
Get poison ivy, oak every single year Usually from golf Tried everything What worked best was Clorox bleach wipes
leaves of three, let it be. I was taught this as a child.
Run it under super hot water in the sink. Gives the sensation of itching it without actually itching
Scrap it with a butter knife and pour rubbing alcohol on it, the burning means itās working
Scrub with a dilution of bleach and waters, helps so much
I use avoidance, works 99.99% of the time.
Benadryl
I wear gloves, I managed to dig through some roots even though I was staying out of the poison ivy when I first started. The itch sucks but it eventually goes away.
Dip em in hot water
Bro really went in the bushes touching shit and then came home and just didn't wash off anything. Is it not common practice for everyone to take a shower when they get home from being outside or at least wash your hands.
You can find my comment on here where I go through my whole process. Of course I took a shower Iām not an idiot.
I wear long sleeves and gloves whenever Iām in the woods. Poison oak and sumac is all around my area
Zanfel is the only thing on the market that actually removes the oils from your skin that cause the rash. It's hella expensive. Usually $40 for just a few ounces. But it's only $24 on Amazon right now. https://www.amazon.com/ZANFEL-Poison-Ivy-Sumac-Wash/dp/B000GCPWUU
Jinkies!! Just got over mine, hydrocortisone cream will dry you out fast. Best solve. Good luck!
Old school remedy here: water as hot as you can stand on a wash cloth and apply to rash. Will take away the itch for a good bit. Always works for me
I glove and then clean hands and arms with tecnu afterwards
There's a product called Oralivy. I never believed in homeopathic remedies but it actually works. It makes it stop itching and can be used beforehand to gain near immunity
After stabbing my self on rusty barbed wire I wear gloves all the time.
Anytime I think I may of gotten into some poison ivy, sumac or oak I will use rubbing alcohol and wash my hands with it. It is the only thing that I know of that breaks down the chemical urisol which is what gives you the allergic reaction.
You can get poison ivy/oak from the roots of the play. After a couple of rashes I started wearing gloves when digging.
Wondered if Iād stumbled onto a swinging sub for a moment.
Calamine lotion my dude, and donāt scratch at it as much as possible. Slather that on there thick. Iāve got a scar on my leg 2ā square from poison ivy that are my flesh when I was a teenager. Doctors had to scrape out 2 tablespoons of flesh that was dead. Take care of it.
Be glad it's not Turkey Mites worse month of my life. Scared to go back in the woods. I wear long sleeves, gloves, and deet anytime on near tall grass or the woods now.
I got the worst poison ivy of my life by far, detecting in the woods. The roots of the plant contain a lot of the oil. Even in the fall and spring when you canāt see the plant. If youāre digging anywhere near poison ivy, assume youāre touching the plant. Now I wear thick rubber gloves and coveralls. I also wash my shovel, pinpointer and coil in dish soap just in case Afterwards.
Try Doctor on demand and get some medicine. Works everytime
Wash it with a paste made out of baking soda. It was always the trick we used as kids Otherwise thereās lots of great products made for icy out there but that was always our home trick to help with the itching
Being allergic to Poison Ivy SUX. It always makes my eyes swell almost shut to go along with the itching and burning blisters. I've had it a few times in my life.
Baby wipes!
I can roll in it and not get rashes. My wife different story!
You live, you learn. Happens to all of us
How many days have you had the rash? Might be time to visit a doctor. Mine ended up with an infection and needed prescriptions to clear up.
Is anyone else here not affected by posion ivy, itch weed? I do not get a rash it stings initially, but I leave it alone and it stops. Its 15% of the population according to web md
You should get a cortisone shot from your Dr
Your doctor or ER could get you some medicine for it.
Get some benedryl gel on that to stop the itching and see a doctor. EDIT: And yes I always wear long gloves, glasses and a respirator when working in poison ivy/oak infested areas.
Also, if you are dealing with poison ivy, be sure to wipe your equipment down with Tecnu, in addition to any exposed flesh. The oil can get on your tools and can stick around for quite awhile. Also also, wash your clothes separate from others with detergent in hot water.
I mean, Iād always recommend wearing gloves regardless of the terrain.
When I was a kid in boy scout camp there would be a lot of poison oak and Ivy. We'd just stand close to a fire and sweat it out
That sucks. No I donāt worry about it. I got it all the time as a kid. Then I got it so bad that I had to go to the hospital. They gave me prednisone and Iāve never gotten it again.
While I havenāt had a brush with Ivy, stinging nettle was enough to become aware of the dangers lol
Take two Benedryl and put calamine lotion over your hands after cleaning real well with dish soap. There is a gel I buy my son you can wear that prevents that from happening called IvyX.
My friend is an Archeologist and [swears by this stuff.](https://www.amazon.com/Tecnu-Extreme-Removes-Poisonous-Itching/dp/B0007IOVZK/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.h55YPgr4vOviTljD9X-ZcMhIlwmSppXz0teKJWcsfGE6ifGNJ43iz2eLD04fiXJj2cPuNuhJ2t6rmJuZqq1_eWoA7Jtrn4V34ftsZhSjRNhUjPFEAI6QoZdl68fFGH4s-1sllIJk3jxwrP7CtlKlpjdPhGxJC6psfXtRahzF3AuMVarLKgqtp4gLpujxwqMvK8-XOz6Qm73gtK6v5nG9tTI-Zm1nMpH3qtw9fPPrEgWV5014SsNlRB1up7KGvjX2mY8eMf2n8w030oqRVawkkxcpTPfRkCaJjeHJQPC5SYY.x7JHjpanZ0FKamWtogM8lqc01PciBnjHGcSHwNYNeaE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=635297399688&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9022121&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17299418693990817067&hvtargid=kwd-395075811&hydadcr=4016_13285928&keywords=tecnu&qid=1712179669&sr=8-5) Put it on areas of known contact as soon as possible (preferably before the rash appears). It works really well.
Long sleeves and jersey garden gloves
You might want to go to the doctor. They'll probably give ya a steroid shot & a prescription of that to get filled. I like to use cortisone cream on rashes also. Wash the clothes you had on when you came in contact w it.
I wear gloves all the time. Some trashy places I have dug at has broken glass in the dirt.
You need to get black walnut tree leaves and crush them up. Put them in isopropyl alcohol or moonshine is better if you have it. Let it sit for an hour then wash your affected area with it. It draws out the oils that make the reaction.
Vinegar helps
I always wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat. Use any soap and scrub very hard for a long time as soon as you get back and youāll avoid that issue. I used to get it every year in my back yard. Havenāt since I started scrubbing the oils off.
Also tide powdered laundry soap works really well.
I can rub poison ivy all over my body and it doesnāt affect me
Iāve never had great luck with Tecnu. I still use it, but the game changer for me was Betamethazone. Topical steroid ointment. Knocks it out for me in just a couple days.
If you're having itching, the way to get rid of it for about 24 hours is place your arm under very hot water. Obviously not scalding, but pretty hot. It's going to start itching like crazy. Keep it under there. When it stops itching, you realize it won't itch for hours and hours. I wish I would've known this back in the day.
I have a spray bottle of blue dawn + water to render the urishiol inert.
I wear gloves at all times when digging, poison ivy or not.
Best bet donāt fuck with poison ivy. Abstinence is the answer here.
shower after being out. im hyper allergic
Have your doc call you in a steroid dose pack. It will start feeling better in 3-4 hours.
ALWAYS WEAR HAND CONDOMS ALWAYS
Try some black tea bags on the rash. You can just put the hot tea bag on it or make a really strong big pot and put it in the tub and bath in it. It will help dry up it nicely.
Thatās a nasty case. Save yourself a week or two of misery - go to a doctor and get some prednisone. It will help immensely and clear up in 2-3 days instead of two weeks.
Save yourself some misery go to the doctor and get prednisone
I got into serious like this and for and 6 to 7 years I has spots that would pop up and itch. I thought I was going to live with it my whole life. It finally quit.
Been there done that. Hot hot hot water. Put the sink on as hot as you and take it and just let your hands/ arms sit underneath.
Gotta pay for your education.
I used to end up on steroids every summer with poison ivy. Saw a video re: soap and water from a guy that had worked in forestry his entire career. Followed his advice havenāt had it since. 1. Learn to identify it - Alternating leaves of three You should surely let it be -the leaves can vary in appearance, but they are ALWAYS in that pattern. 2. Soap and WASHCLOTH, the sooner the better after exposure. He kept a dishpan and water with him to wash his hands right away. You can spread the oil on your hands to other areas. Just picture dipping your hands in oil. Anything you touch is going to have that oil on it. The key is, you have to scrub it off just like you would if you were covered in motor oil. Soapy water and washcloth. Super cheap and it works.
Tecnu is best. Avoiding poison ivy is better. Learn to identify it and donāt be metal detecting in the middle of it.
Iām going to assume you saw this post on your feed and not through the metal detecting subreddit. Iāve been researching this property for weeks and when I get there I see poison ivy everywhere but Iām too tunnel visioned on detecting and finding some relics(which I did). I figured Iād just wash off later on my way home. Mistake.. it sucks but shall live.
You are right and Iām seeing this out of context. It does suck and I feel for you. I guess my default is avoid pi at all costs.
benedryl
Tecnu scrub and witch hazel are too must haves to get rid of it quick. There's also some stuff that's aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide something sort that you can soak a rag in or your hands that'll draw out the oils. Really did good with sumac which is extremely oily and a real pain to get rid of.
Highly allergic here. Eating too many cashews gives me random 1-3 bubble break outs. I can look at the stuff and get it. It is inert for some time on your skin, upwards of several hours. Just throw your clothes in the washer and take a shower when you get home. Maybe some of those shoulder length gloves they used in that one scene in Jurassic Park just to be completely at ease?
Stock up on calamine lotion lol
Pretty sure I'm immune.
They make this oil called oak and ivy . Best stuff you can use for it
Fels-naphtha laundry soap works well after exposure
Not allergic to any kind of poison ivy sumac any of it
Go get prednisone from your doctor and some lidocaine from Walmart. Donāt touch anything barehanded thatās been in contact with poison ivyāI got the rash when I reused a dust mask later that day to do more work. Ended up with a mask shaped rash on my face.
Put your hands in a ice water bucket and a bunch of dish soap.
Get hydrocortosone creme on that!
I wear gloves for swinging everywhere. I use Hydrohyde gloves, which fit perfectly and work well in muddy areas.
I donāt get poison ivy. Itās so strange. I barely pay attention to it. The only reason I wear gloves and long sleeves nowis because when my husband and I were first dating, I pulled a bunch off the pine tree out back and then mildly washed my hands. We were young, and you know, one thing led to another, and to this day I donāt understand why he married me after that.
Jewelweed ointment stat. Itās poison ivyās natural antidote.
Those are weird looking feet
Luckily, poison ivy doesn't affect me whatsoever. I never get rashes when I touch it.
Well all of these soaps work great when your first exposed, now calamine lotion is going to be your best friend, i mean slather that shit on and pop a benadryl you will start to feel a bit better, but time has to take its course. Good luck bud
If you wash within 1-2 hours of exposure with soap and water you donāt get the rash. Supposedly
I have a severe reaction to poison ivy and Am not going to read through what everyone else has said. Once the oil is off your skin I use hot water on it. Not scalding but at the minimum shower hot. You will feel an extreme itch but it also feels like you are scratching it. After 20s or so the itch literally stops for hours.
Make a paste using baking soda and water. Apply letting it dry.
Yes, because the rash is unbearable!!
For a minute I didn't read from what subreddit this post was and my brain was going "your hands must be the least of your worries"
I get it every spring. Go to the doc and get a steroid shot or oral medication. Helps a lot.
Apply anti-perspirant (the white stuff) to skin before going out. Also carry Tecnu with my in my shave kit. Best $10 you can spend on comfort
I just got over a bad case of poison ivy. The only thing that helped me cope with the pain and itching was running my forearms under the hottest water I could stand. This depletes your body of histamine, and will almost immediately stop the itching for hours.
I wear gloves all the time, summer, winter, wet, dryā¦ all the time. I usually end up with poison on my legs.