Places I’ve gotten poison ivy from working wood

.....I never got poison ivy despite spending most of my first 20 years in the woods. Since then I get it 10-15 times a year and have had it real bad at times

I have it now as I sit by my fire. (Picture below). I’ve had it in EVERY crevice and extremity of my body. I can’t be alone. Anyone else?

 

When I get it its everywhere. How it gets to some of the places is mysterious. Fortunately it only happens every 5-6 yrs

 

I get it so severely I have to get steroid shots. It’s awful.

 

I don’t understand how it gets in some of the places I get it. The WORST is in between my fingers because then it blows up and starts “weeping” eventually and is horrific. The only thing I’ve found that helps (besides booze) is a hair dryer. Hold it over the poison ivy early morning as long as you can take it. Then do it again right after. Helps soothe the itch and speeds up drying

 

bleach dries it out. Try it on a small spot and see if it helps.

 

Use orange gritty hand cleaner as soon as you feel any irritation at all. Like rub your skin raw. If you put used black grease over it if you want to know when you got it clean enough. It solves it completely.

Edit: Dawn ultra and sand or something else abrasive works even better.

 

knock on wood...sorry for the cliche but it fits for FHC!!! I only get it on my forearms and wrists in the Summer when working with rounds that have some on it. Usually in a small patch or two and only for a few days. I was clearing a bunch of it for GF's mother last Summer and was extremely careful where i rubbed and touched my face as it was humid out and i was very sweaty. I made a point to scrub my arms well when done. Still got some though. I know The Wood Wolverine was working a score that was covered with the stuff. Wonder how he made out?

 

I've found that any good mechanics degreasing hand cleaner will stop the reaction from happening in the first place if used within a few hours of getting into the PI. I really like Magic hand cleaner Magic All Natural Industrial Hand Cleaner best I've ever used, and I've used a BUNCH of different hand cleaners in the last 40+ years!

 

Wash with fels-nafta soap.
It dries it out.

 

Gasoline also works although a bit of caution is advised.

 

Excellent, thank you for pointing out a specific product! I’ll grab some soon.

Anyone have recommendations for cleaning clothes of urushiol? FELS-naphtha? I use dawn but obviously can’t use but a few drops in a washing machine.

 

Been there, done that, have the T shirt! Antihistamine shots in the AM and Steroid shots in the PM for 7 days. Then tiny spots keep cropping up for weeks from little bits of oil on clothing, tools, door knobs, steering wheels and any surface I may have touched and then touched again later. Felt like Job must have for at least a week.

 

I right there with you. Not a place on my body I haven’t had it! I’ve went to bed normal and woken up with an eye completely swelled shut from it before. Had it on my lips so bad one time I could only drink out of a straw. The worst place to get it in my experience has been...between the toes! Feet swelled up so much it was painful to walk and shoes and socks were only a dream.
My sister has MS and gets prescribed way more prednisone than she could ever use so I keep plenty on hand. As soon as I suspect I have it I start taking it which helps when you can get it in your system right away. When you’re allergic, every hour counts!

 

Kind of in the same boat - been outdoors playing in the woods my entire life. Never had poison ivy once until a couple years ago I got it pretty good on my arms after picking up some roadside wood. Then again this past summer real bad on my wrists and arms. I remember vividly as a teenager grabbing around a tree and my hands grasped a nice bunch of ivy. Nothing happened. Wonder what has changed now that I’m older. Have found that Technu ivy oil scrub works very well. Prevents the rash from starting. And if it already has, dries it out nicely.

 

I used to get it as a kid but not for many years I have heard you can change allergys every 7-10 years hopfully I do not change back my old partner in tree service used to get it so bad he had a hospital stay one time now he does not get it

 

Like others I’ve had it everywhere. 5 years ago I had it so bad my swelled shut. Went to doc and he gave me a steroid shot. I have barely had any since? If I’m close to home and I know I’ve touched it I go straight to the shower, I use any soap that cuts oil and scrub hard!!

 

I sure did get it, from that mulberry tree. Couple spots on each arm/wrist/hand. It took almost a week to appear after sawing the tree with the vines. Then it lasted about a week before it subsided.
I too used to never get poison despite being exposed to it as a young'n. Now, I use a regimen of lye soap and this stuff:

Ivarest almost completely removes the urge to itch for me. ymmv.

I've heard it works similar to the lye soap but didn't try it.

 

I was talking to a naturalist at the state park she said when you get it all over its because it got into your bloodstream. She also said the same person may have a different reaction at different times.

 

Don't go over it with a lawnmower! I speak from experience.

 

Thanks for the tip