Ironically, I've never run into this stuff while working.?ÿ I did walk through a bunch of it while fishing over Labor Day weekend though.?ÿ First time dealing with this stuff and I can't believe what a disgusting mess it makes.
Anyway, I've been reading about it on the web and I've tried some of the remedies that are listed there.?ÿ I'm curious if anyone here knows maybe some lesser known but really effective ways to make it go away fast?
Abstinence.
I'm highly allergic.?ÿ The only thing I've found that "makes it go away fast" (relative term) is prednisone.
Next best thing to prednisone??
Marie??s Poison Oak/Ivy Soap?? you can get it on Amazon
?ÿ
Young lad first hand experience, yes, this stuff works really well when in the woods and you need to "clean up after you know" but (big BUTT) ONLY ONCE!
Soap. Lots of soap and warm (but not hot) water. It's an oil (urushiol) that gets on your skin and will irritate until it is either washed or worn off. It's as simple as that.
A really strong detergent like Dawn dish soap can help. I've also used Fels-Naptha laundry bar soap. These things are pretty caustic and may cause their own problems. So follow up with moisturizing lotion.?ÿ
Do all that and you should be able to tame it to the point where some hydrocortisone cream will allow you to get on with your life for the next couple of weeks.?ÿ?ÿ
I've lost faith in these specialty soaps.?ÿ But YMMV.?ÿ
Make sure you launder every piece of clothing that might have come into contact with the P.O. or any piece of clothing that did.?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ
And don't donate any of that oil to a dear member of your family.
I went to an urgent care clinic yesterday because I tried cortison cream first and it seemed to cause major swelling and other rashes to develop.?ÿ I was hoping they'd give me a shot of this prednisone because it sounds highly effective but they were like nah, go home and if it gets worse then come back and see us.
I think I might be allergic to this cortisone stuff also because I tried it first and while it stopped the itch it seemed to cause other undesirable things to happen.?ÿ Anyway, switched to calamine spray and it seems to be working.
I just wet the area where the rash is and sprinkle salt on it. Gently rub it in until it makes a thin layer of paste and let it dry. I have been doing that for years.
@bstrand You might want to put some antibiotic cream or topical spray on the oozing skin to prevent a secondary bacterial infection from getting started.
zanfel?ÿ -?ÿ ?ÿinstant relief?ÿ
Soap. Lots of soap and warm (but not hot) water. It's an oil (urushiol) that gets on your skin and will irritate until it is either washed or worn off. It's as simple as that.?ÿ ?ÿ
The sooner it is washed the better.?ÿ It binds chemically with the skin, so after a few hours it is stuck, and you are waiting for a layer to wear off.?ÿ
@norman-oklahoma And wipe off areas on your vehicle that you touched REAL well.?ÿ I used to get rash on the back of my legs and arms not knowing where I came into contact with it.?ÿ Until I discovered that it was rubbing off the back of my pants or resting my arm on the door or center console.?ÿ Then later when I was in shorts and short sleeves, bare skin would come into contact it.?ÿ Wipe it all down cleanly.
