Poison Oak "Remover"

[JonCatch]

So I was playing with a stranger a few days ago and we got on to the topic of Poison Oak (as I had just stepped in some) and he mentioned a product that he claimed to remove the oils before they soak into your skin. Now of course, you've got to apply the ointment immediately, but it sounded like a god-send for disc golfers who often must trudge through PO. Unfortunately I don't remember the name. I know it was 2-syllables and ended in an "oc" sound...

I know its not much to go off, but does anyone know what this stuff is?

 

[18Down]

Zanfel is # 1 end of story. Trust me. Washes those oils away/ prevents spreading. I couldnt believe it after suffering from years of ivy infections. $30-45 bucks.

 

[plastic addict]

Tecnu

This is the best (and cheaper than ^^^)

/thread

 

[uNicedmeMan]

Tecnu

 

[Grungedude42]

Rubbing alcohol and baby wipes work great, and are dirt cheap.

 

[18Down]

Tecnu doesnt com close to what Zanfel can do. Ive had them both. The money is well spent.

 

[Bamm]

Rubbing alcohol and baby wipes work great, and are dirt cheap.

I keep a pack of these in my bag just for this reason........

 

[dekdo]

well if you dont have anything special like tecnu and zanfel, try finding some mud and rubbing it on the areas that touched the PO. Let it sit for a bit and then just wash it off after with some water. Worked great for me.

 

[plastic addict]

Tecnu doesnt com close to what Zanfel can do. Ive had them both. The money is well spent.

To each his own. I deal with poison oak all the time with my job, mountain biking, and now, disc golfing.

Awareness of your surroundings is the most important thing you can do to prevent an outbreak.

 

[Hampstead]

Find some Jewel Weed, it's free and gets the job done.

 

[ru4por]

Suffer the consequences.

 

[TeeSquared]

Tecnu is best for cleaning yourself off if you know you have been exposed to Poison Ivy, Oak, or Wild Parsnip. it will wash off and stop the spread of the oils.

Zanfel is great for when you had no idea you were exposed and all of sudden have a itchy red painful rash.

IMO, Zanfel is better for stopping the annoying itch and alleviating the skin rash, Tecnu not so much.

Hampstead is right on though, Jewel Weed Is free and usually grows in the same vicinity as Poison Ivy.

 

[plastic addict]

If you're already suffering an outbreak, try rinsing scalding hot water on the area. Of course, make sure the oils are washed away first.

You'll be itch free for hours. Oh, what a relief...

 

[apparition]

If you're already suffering an outbreak, try rinsing scalding hot water on the area. Of course, make sure the oils are washed away first.

You'll be itch free for hours. Oh, what a relief...

Hot water opens your pores and makes it worse.

 

[Um...]

I'm typing this right now with poison oak on my hand and arm

I'm a magnet for the stuff, have been since I was a little kid, and I've recently discovered that one of the best homemade remedies (once you already have it) is some coconut oil mixed with salt. Mix the 2 up into a paste and rub it into your rash. Within just a few days the blisters will start to go away (the salt pulls up the toxins and fluid in the blisters and the coconut oil suppresses the itch, moisturizes, and keeps away the risk of infection). I've found this is a really great treatment.

As for initial contact, not a whole lot better that you're going to do than alcohol wipes or an alcohol based hand sanitizer (or Jewelweed if you know what it is and can find it). I've recently started carrying alcohol wipes in my bags just so I can be prepared, cuz having PO SUCKS!!

 

[plastic addict]

Hot water opens your pores and makes it worse.

only if the oils are still on your skin. believe me, the relief you get from it is euphoric.

 

[JAKE master]

there is also IVY pills you can take if you know youre going out. benedryl works well once you do have it.

 

[ru4por]

Getting the oil off is imperative. The skin's sensitivity to the oils varies from person to person. Once the oils have been removed, the damage is done. The reaction will run its course. There are some things that can provide relief from the itching...steriods (decrease the inflammation response), anti hystimines (decrease the swelling and itching) and a host of home remedies. Most home remedies are dangerous and cause futher damage despite the momentary relief. Alcohol, bleach.... are dumb, they do not help. Thought I would pipe up before things got out of control on this thread. Keeping the area clean and dry, if open, will help decrease infection risk. A "good dose of the ivy" can be very dangerous and should be treated by a doctor is large, open or infected.

 

[whentherainscome]

only if the oils are still on your skin. believe me, the relief you get from it is euphoric.

It really is.

I keep single-use alcohol wipes in my bag for immediately wiping down my discs if they land on/near it. I wash my legs above the sock line with rubbing alcohol when I get home from a round.

I will have to look into the products recommended here. I only had one majorish outbreak last year (I itched my ear :doh, but I almost always had one or two small spots of rash.

 

[dreadlock86]

If you're already suffering an outbreak, try rinsing scalding hot water on the area. Of course, make sure the oils are washed away first.

You'll be itch free for hours. Oh, what a relief...

only if the oils are still on your skin. believe me, the relief you get from it is euphoric.

this is not a good idea

apparition is right. it has nothing to do with whether the oils are still there. hot water will only increase the inflammation. it feels euphoric the same way that scratching mosquito bites can be, momentary relief at the expense of further damage. i used to do this in the shower when i got outbreaks and it does feel awesome for awhile but it always resulted in my rashes getting bigger and juicier. cold showers now for me if i get an outbreak.

i used to get PO once a month when i started playing DG up until i learned to keep the disc in the fairway. now it's technu if i think i got into something and benedryl to keep the itching at bay for small outbreaks.