The irritating, itchy, and in some cases dangerous rash that follows an encounter with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac is a menacing threat to hikers and gardeners. For hundreds of years, people have sought to control the plants and sooth the once inevitable rash. But research and modern pharmacology have combined to provide a tested method for preventing the pain and suffering of these toxic outdoor encounters .
What Causes the Rash?
Understanding what causes the irritation is part of the key to preventing the rash from breaking out after contact. Each of these plants contains urushiol, an oily resin that it uses to heal easily bruised or torn leaves and stems. When something rubs against the plant, the sensitive tissue tears and releases the resin. If that something is a person’s skin, their pant leg, backpack, or family pet, the very sticky urushiol will cling doggedly. If not removed from clothing or a backpack, it can remain potent for years!
Chemicals within the oil penetrate skin very quickly and set off an immune response in our body. In an attempt to rid the skin of the foreign substance, the immune system begins to destroy contaminated skin cells. This is what causes the dreaded swelling, blistering, and itching associated with these urushiol producing plants.
Different amounts of oil on the skin and different reaction times of the skin can cause the rash to appear in stages, which makes it seem as if the poison ivy is spreading. But the rash does not spread unless the oil does. The only reason a rash will appear is that the toxic oil has come in contact with the skin.
Logically, then, the only way to prevent a rash is to remove urushiol.
When All Else Fails: Stopping Poison Ivy Rash From Forming
Fortunately, the body’s immune system doesn’t react to urushiol right away. It can take four to 48 hours for a rash to appear. That gives most people enough time to wash away any toxins they may have encountered.
Don’t wash with soap, as this can move the oil around and spread the potential for rash. The toxic oil must be washed off with a degreasing agent such as Dawn dish soap or orange Gojo. (It’s no surprise that Fels Naptha soap, a once popular home remedy for preventing rashes from urushiol contained strong detergents). Rubbing alcohol is also cited by some experts as an appropriate cleanser, though a true “degreasing” agent such as detergent may be a better bet.
For those who regularly risk exposure to poison ivy, it is worth investing in a product called Tecnu Outdoor Skin Cleanser which was specifically designed to remove urushiol from the skin. Hikers, park rangers, and naturalists generally stock a supply during peak season. It is an excellent product when used as directed within a few hours of exposure. Someone exposed to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac should spread Tecnu generously on the skin and rub it thoroughly for two minutes before rinsing off. Interestingly enough, it smells a little like the old fashioned Fels Naptha soap. Nonetheless, a state agencies and national forest research labs swear by it.
Of course, it is still necessary to thoroughly clean all clothes, shoes or boots, tools and equipment that may have been exposed to the oils before reusing them. Two washings in hot water with detergent will usually do the trick.
Related Article:
How to Protect Yourself From Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
Reference:
Mayo Clinic. " Poison Ivy Rash " (accessed October 13, 2010).
Kimbra Cutlip - Kimbra Cutlip is a feature writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications including the Washington Post, Environment magazine, ...
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