Poison Oak

[palmer4670]

Does anyone have any good advice on preventing poison oak, I am pretty allergic to it and have had it about 5 times so far this year. I try to wash up as soon as possible when I get in it, but sometimes that is not really possible, sometimes it is not until lunch or later and then it is to late. Any advice is appreciated.


Thanks,
Michael

 

[treeclimber165]

If you are doing residential work, it's easy. I'm not that allergic to it, but I still will grab the can of Go-Jo from behind the seat and wash off at the customer's hose. You know, that can of Go-Jo you have on EVERY TRUCK for those pine tree removals, getting sap off your hands. If a hose isn't available, there is always the water cooler. That's why I like Go-Jo, you don't need much water.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

And use cold water always! warm water will open your pores and thins toe oils. Makes things worse.

I've heard people say those pills work. We dont have it much up here, it and the ivy are annuals.

 

[DDM]

Make sure you clean your tools as well get all the Oak oil of of them.

 

[spreaderman]

poision oak remedy

Take some clorox with you instead of go-jo . pour it over the exposed area ... yes it WILL burn for a minute then wash it off with water, but you are killing the poision oak on your skin

 

[DDM]

LMAO

 

[Drummer]

Teknu. You can buy it at drug stores etc. It's a bit pricey, but if you area allergic, it's worth it. Forest Service and many other agaencies use it. They (Teknu) also make a pre-exposure product called Armor, I think. Teknu calims is their product to be the only one that is a solvent for the oak oils, called urushu (oo roo shoe). Good luck,
Roger

 

[Drummer]

correction

I wanted to correct a few things in my previous post... Tecnu is the correct spelling for the cleanser; IvyArmor is the pre-exposure stuff and the offending oil is called Urushiol (oo roo she all). Tecnu products are available from Bailey's as well.
http://www.teclabsinc.com/cleanse.html

 

[lync]

Palmer, I feel for you. I'm allergic also , and it can be quite a pain in the a-- when you get that stuff..
Washing up after your done is too late ,contamination can occur within 20 minutes to one hour after exposure. Most jobs take much longer than that. I've used the following preventive steps and have had some success.

No matter how hot it gets wear a long sleeve shirt and gloves. Use ivy-block to protect exposed skin, available at cvs/ekert drug store, on face neck and forearms.
Wash up with soap and water, or hand cleaner. The oils that cause the irritation are not water soluble, rinsing will not wash them away.

Wash cloths and boots w /soap and water. Get this ,if your boots and bootlaces have brushed against the ivy, you can contaminate yourself , and your house when you get undressed at the end of the day. This contamination can be passed on tho your kids and family if the touch anything that you've touched.

If you do get it, go to the Doctor as soon as symptoms appear.
Get the shot in the a--, get the prednisone pills, and any other
medications available.

This year i've tried a homeopathic preventative that is available
thru Sherrill, you take it daily, and it helps your body build an immunity to it.

Beware, it never dies, and the oils can contaminate for up to a year.

 

[seanlarkin]

You guys are going to love our June ad in TCI and ArborAge. I'm not going to reveal the drawing, but it's pretty funny. TecLabs products will be the June sale; that includes the Tecnu.
-Sean

 

[coydog]

If I get into poison oak or ivy, even if soap is handy my first defense is a handful of dirt and water, scrubbing with mud repeatedly works better than gojo or soap, as it's more abrasive.

 

[palmer4670]

thanks for all of the advice, i have tried tecnu and it seems to work good, still seem to get it sometimes when i am not expecting it. hey lync, do the shots in the a#@ help to keep from getting it, or is it just a curative. i have heard different stories, i guess i need to talk to my doc.

thanks agian everybody