What is the best remedy for Poisen Oak? (ant, poison, Ivy)
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I was working on clearing out my mess of Bamboo - guess What? I've got Poisen Oak too. I'm using Ivy Dry and washing with Neutragena. Any other suggestions?
Also, what is best way to get rid of the poisen Oak? I know it can't be burned. Geesh.
Your Eastern poison oak is Toxicodendron pubescens , but in the west where I originally come from it's Toxicodedron diversilobum. I'm actually immune to the effects of the western poison oak. I can get in it and cut, clip and slash it and pull it by the roots and nothing happens. To this day I Still don't know why. But one of the major agreements on management of poison oak is DO NOT BURN POISON OAK. Apparently the smoke is toxic and can lead to lung & respitory problems which would make even a major skin rash more desirable.
Management and Control
Here are some of the official removal methods recommended by the University of California , Integrated Pest Management Online: Poison Oak Management Guidelines--UC IPM
The bottom line here is that some suggestions for removal such as biological are mimicing those of nature like deer and other browsers. Horses , sheep and goats will all browse it with no problem.
Chemical control is nothing more than Roundup by Monsanto
Mechanical control is simply take your pick and be careful.
IF it doesn't clear up, make sure to see your doctor or a local walk in clinic. For people who are allergic to poison Oak (or any assortment of leafing poisons), not getting medical attention can be serious. It can spread into your mouth, nose and many other unpleasant places....not suitable for public itching. There are shots, serums and pills available for quick relief and healing.
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I get poison ivy and poison oak every year. The best wash on the market is Zanfel. It's expensive but it's a gritty cream that you wash with and then rinse. It relieves the itching immensely.
I bought some Poison Ivy/Oak wash from the Dollar General (couldn't afford the Zanfel). It may be similar, it's gritty soapy stuff, but it really did take the itch away, at least for awhile - sweet relief. Best thing I've tried so far. The Ivy Dry seemed to make it worse for some reason, so I stopped using that.
I can't afford to go to the doctor for it - alas, I'm one of the 40 million Americans without any Health Insurance. Just don't feel like paying $100.00 so some doctor can spend 2 minutes looking at this before prescribing a pill I could probably get at Wal-mart for $4.00. I'll survive somehow!
I think I will have to call someone in to take care of these mess of a yard I have. Or move.
Colgate used to have a soap called Octagon. Its brown and in a large sized bar. I wet my skin with Olive leaf water, made by breaking a capsule in 16 oz. of water, then rub Octagon on my skin. This stops the itching for a while drying up the poison on my skin. It usually clears up in about 3 days.
My brother and I got it so much when we were younger. We hiked every day in the Southern California hills above our home. When we got it, we dried it up using bleach. Yep, bleach. Burns like a mofo, but it works.
Call your doctor! Mine faxed a prescription for some steroidal goo that took away the worst of the itch/pain for my poison ivy (First time ever this summer).
It did not seem to shorten the duration of the rash, however...still took a good MONTH from the first day of exposure to clear it all up.
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But one of the major agreements on management of poison oak is DO NOT BURN POISON OAK. Apparently the smoke is toxic and can lead to lung & respitory problems which would make even a major skin rash more desirable.
