Oh God, not poison ivy already!

[michigangrass]

Anyone have poison ivy already?

I have a number of customers backed by wooded area and at times I do brush against a bush here and there...well I think I'm seeing those dreaded little bumps coming on.

What's have you found to be the best solution for getting rid of it?

[David Haggerty]

Dave

[lawnkid]

WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T WASH THAT AREA WITH SOAP! IT JUST SPREADS IT! I had it this past summer for like 3 weeks and it was a pain in the ***. Try Ivarest. It's a cream that should make it go away in like a week. And also go to your doctor and get a prescription for Prednisone. It'll be gone in a week, and also try to avoid sweating so wear liht clothing. Good Luck . If you need more advice do a search cause I know I got a lot of responses when I asked what to use.

[fblandscape]

Oral Ivy. Just started back on it a couple weeks ago. If you already take any kind of medications or vitamins in the morning or night it's really easy to add into your daily routine. It works pretty well for me. I know a lot of guys also swear by Technu... but I have no experience with that. Also with Technu I believe you have to wash with that right after contact. Oral Ivy is just a couple drops in water each day and nothing else.

If you aren't into getting on another medication... one thing to keep in mind is after you know you have been in contact with poison ivy, take a COLD shower. No hot water!

[TotalCareSolutions]

When I was around 12, I would get Poison Ivy that made me look like the "Elephant Boy". I sat in a wood rocking chair in underwear, arms on rests, covered in Calamine Lotion, with newspapers underneath and a fan on me, watching TV. If I shut the TV off I could hear the 'ooze' dripping onto the newspaper. When I tell you I had it everywhere, I really mean EVERYWHERE. And when those golf ball blisters popped, why......

I had to finally get shots as it began leading to Staff Infections. My level of alergicness seems to have diminished, I get a little on my legs.

Thought id share a little memory

[Bluesteel]

I bet nobody has to point out Poison Ivy to TotalCareSolutions!

MG, you'll learn one way or the other when to look for that stuff (growing or dormant). Catch it enough, and you'll be able to smell it, hehe. I won't mow or weed-whack even the smallest amount of it. Never know when you're weed-whacker needs new string, or hit a rock right after you mow some Poison Ivy and have to change a blade.

I'll spray it with Spectracide's Brush Killer. That stuff doesn't act as fast as Roundup, but it stays dead longer.

[fblandscape]

I was working for a woman last week. I pointed this dead tree to her which was COVERED with poison ivy. The woman has young grandchildren who I am sure play in the yard. She said though that she wants to keep the tree, and the poison ivy because it blocks out the view of her neighbors. Strange woman. :alien:

[TotalCareSolutions]

Originally posted by Bluesteel
you'll be able to smell it,

This is actually not far from the truth, if your highly alergic. Doctor told me that the oils from the plant could in fact be carried down wind, and a highly alergic person (as I was), could catch it.

[tiedeman]

TotalCare,

all I can say is.....OUCH

[NCSULandscaper]

I have it on my arm right now. Have no idea where it came from, havent been around it this year. Might have been an old pair of gloves or something cause it stays in clothes and gloves for a few years.

[Lawn Cops]

I feel for you bro. I have had it 3 seperate, yes 3, times already this year. I put the guard back on my weedeater and have not gotten it again, yet.

[michigangrass]

fblandscape,

Are the drops to get rid of it or to prevent you from getting it?

[Bluesteel]

I know a man that threw an old log on a campfire that was covered with Poison Ivy. His whole family got it on their face, eyes, nose, throat, and hands from the smoke. Pretty serious mistake.

[fblandscape]

It is both a profalactic treatment, and a post exposure treatnment.

[Doogiegh]

Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

Ya see, I've never had it.

Been doing lawn work since I was a kid, now 29 and never had it to my knowledge.. I have done some off-road bike riding, cutting customers, etc.. Never got it.

And I think I have been exposed, just I'm not 100% sure which is poison ivy and which isn't cause it's hard to tell since everything in the woods is just a green leaf. <G>

Any pointers for spotting it out right away?

Thanks!

[NCSULandscaper]

Yes it is possible to not be allergic to it. Myself personally i can look at it and get it somewhere, but i have had friends that could eat the stuff and not bother them at all.

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally posted by Doogiegh

And I think I have been exposed, just I'm not 100% sure which is poison ivy and which isn't cause it's hard to tell since everything in the woods is just a green leaf. <G>

Any pointers for spotting it out right away?

Thanks!

Look for 3 leaves that usually have a high glossy oil on the leaves

[leadarrows]

I think it is possible for some to have a much higher tolerance than others because I use to pick it and chase my sister away with it. :eek:
That all ended one day for me when I bet I wouldn't get it and pulled a ton of it out of some bushes with my bear hands. I got it a little bit that time and sense then I can get it but it still isn't ever very bad.
Doogiegh
Do you have brown eyes? My mom always told me people with brown eyes don't get it as bad. Mom and I could pick it and not get it. We both have brown eyes. My dad and sister just have to look at it to get it, it seems. They both have blue eyes. I know its sounds crazy but it was true in my family.

[TaussigLawnCare]

shower with cold water first it always works

[fblandscape]

I have brown eyes and I can get it VERY badly. In the past I have needed to go to the doctor for those 5 or 6 day pill things. So I don't think that it is true.

[goodbeus]

If you do have it, use Selsun Blue shampoo everytime you shower...just be ready for the cold rush when you step out of the bathroom..:eek:

[grass-scapes]

well, I had a customer request I cut back a half dead juniper last week. Well, AFTER I got in the bed and started cutting, she said...."Oh, be careful...There is Poision Oak in there" needless to say, these dang bumps sure do itch...
LOL

[LA LAWNS]

TRY USING SHINDAIWA T-270. THAT USUALLY CLEARS IT UP FOR ME.

[Doogiegh]

Blue eyes, blonde hair here... So there goes the brown-eyed theory. <G>

Gary

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally posted by fblandscape
Oral Ivy. Just started back on it a couple weeks ago. If you already take any kind of medications or vitamins in the morning or night it's really easy to add into your daily routine. It works pretty well for me. I know a lot of guys also swear by Technu... but I have no experience with that. Also with Technu I believe you have to wash with that right after contact. Oral Ivy is just a couple drops in water each day and nothing else.

If you aren't into getting on another medication... one thing to keep in mind is after you know you have been in contact with poison ivy, take a COLD shower. No hot water!

No way in H*LL would I take a systemic poison ivy preventer until they had medical research to show this stuff was safe. JMO

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally posted by Doogiegh
Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

Ya see, I've never had it.

Been doing lawn work since I was a kid, now 29 and never had it to my knowledge.. I have done some off-road bike riding, cutting customers, etc.. Never got it.

And I think I have been exposed, just I'm not 100% sure which is poison ivy and which isn't cause it's hard to tell since everything in the woods is just a green leaf. <G>

Any pointers for spotting it out right away?

Thanks!

Had a bud who rolled around in the woods with his girlfriend. She was COVERED, he got nothing. Yes you can be immune.
(and yes, she was P*SSED)

[Mike Bradbury]

Liquid Bleach!!!!!!!!!!!

Dab it on with a cotton ball, count to 10, wash it off. Drys right up!! Bud turned me on to this last season, miracle cure!

(don't forget to wash it off)

[mr.lawnzap]

go get a shot for it ,screw waiting for it to get somewhere really bad, bleach does work good it dries the hell out of those bumps.

[greenman]

Originally posted by Doogiegh
Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

Ya see, I've never had it.

Been doing lawn work since I was a kid, now 29 and never had it to my knowledge.. I have done some off-road bike riding, cutting customers, etc.. Never got it.

And I think I have been exposed, just I'm not 100% sure which is poison ivy and which isn't cause it's hard to tell since everything in the woods is just a green leaf. <G>

Any pointers for spotting it out right away?

Thanks!

Same here, been doing this since I was a kid, I'm 29, and never had poison ivy. Knock on wood......

[crawdad]

47, never had it(blue eyes, too). My Dad, and brothers were also immune. We had it around the farm,growing up. To sneak into the garden the back way, you'd come through a real healthy growth of it. It kept watermelon thieves from coming back a second time. Haha.
Crawdad

[michigangrass]

I did read something on the internet saying that 1/3 of all americans have an alergic reaction to poison ivy...that number seems very low. I'd always thought those that did not react to it were in a very small minority...but from what I read thats not the case.

I am very envious of those that can run around in it without showing any sign of breakout...damn it!

[crazygator]

Originally posted by Doogiegh
Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?

Absolutely yes!

My wife has removed it several times with bare hands and not gotten anything.

Man I really hate that too.....:D

I have had it 2 times this year, some right now just popping up. Not sure where it is coming from.

I too am thinking about the guards again for this very reason.

[Green Pastures]

Originally posted by Doogiegh
Is it possible to NOT be allergic to poison ivy?


Yes,

I've never had it either, and I've been knee deep in the middle of a field of it looking for crashed model airplaned before. Never had it, it's an allergic reaction and I'm not allergic to it.

[the scaper]

i guess i'm one of those lucky folks, i can roll in it and mabey get two bumps for a day. i always get a kick out of walking the yard with a new customer, they'll ask- is that poison ivy over there, i'll say- i dont know, let me get a closer look. yep, it is, then i'll rip out a handfull or two and watch their expression :D (blue eyes)

[leadarrows]

I have wondered about that brown eye thing for a long time. LawnSite teaches me something again.:cool:
I wonder what the real difference is.

[ahah]

There is a small percentage of the population that isn't allergic to poison ivy. For the rest of us, avoid contact with it. If you do come in contact with it, wash with hot water and soap. Have you ever had vegatble oil on your fingers from fried chicken or french fries? What is the best way to get rid of that oil? Hot water and soap. Poison ivy allergic reactions are from direct contact with the OIL on the plant or oil residue in the air from burning.
I would much rather feel a burning sensation that an itching sensation, so when I do not bathe or wash in time after exposuser and get posion ivy, I use rubbing alcohol to make it burn and dry up faster.

[wildbilly1113]

I picked apples for 25 years full and parttime and used to get it bad.Old mountain man apple picker told me to eat some and it cured me! Never had it since that day and I still eat it on occasion just to see the look in Ivy sufferer's eyes! They still will not eat it! What did they do before modern medicine? God put everything we need right here on earth!:angel:

[leadarrows]

The Hardy Boys. That just your name or are you referring to the detective series of books. I have about fifty of those old stories. Haven't thought about them in a while.

[the scaper]

Originally posted by wildbilly1113
I picked apples for 25 years full and parttime and used to get it bad.Old mountain man apple picker told me to eat some and it cured me! Never had it since that day and I still eat it on occasion just to see the look in Ivy sufferer's eyes! They still will not eat it! What did they do before modern medicine? God put everything we need right here on earth!:angel: thats pretty funny, i can even see where it might actually work too. myself though, i'm not eating anything that has the word poison in its name! :)

[the scaper]

Originally posted by leadarrows
The Hardy Boys. That just your name or are you referring to the detective series of books. I have about fifty of those old stories. Haven't thought about them in a while. so do i, those were the first books i ever read.

[mexiking]

Originally posted by fblandscape
I have brown eyes and I can get it VERY badly. In the past I have needed to go to the doctor for those 5 or 6 day pill things. So I don't think that it is true.

Lol

I get it a little bit
On white ppl it gets worse though =|

[jdunphy]

See http://www.poisonivy.us for a huge list of home remedies, regional plant pictures, and horrible looking rashes.
<P>
Ivy block is reported to help if you remember to put in on before hand. Generally, I just carry around some rubbing alcohol. Until the oil from the plant binds... you can wash it off with soap and water or just plenty of water. The problem is that the oil binds quickly (sometimes within mins to thin areas of the skin! The rash results because of an over response from the immune system to attack this oil cell protein bond... Any good oil remover with some grit will help later after the oil binds.
<P>
HTH

[wildbilly1113]

Hey, my last name is Hardy, lol, just thought it would be cool to name my company Hardy Boys and I read the books too! usiness is good if I could get caught up! RAIN! Thanks!:angel:

[rookiemower]

I've had poision ivy 3 times it really sucks the big one!:angry:
when i get it it usually spreads so bad that i end up getting a steroid to take it usually stops itching within 2-3 days and is gone in a week