[Community_garden] Poison Ivy, treatment and block

[Diana Liu]

Hi, everyone.  A while ago, there were some postings about poison ivy, prevention and treatment.  I didn't know much about it, and asked some experts.  I was particularly interested in the prevention part, if there is anything that could be sprayed or applied that could prevent allergic reaction.  Thanks to Joan, an expert in plants and garden in Southern California, shared this website:     http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0802.htm     If you want to skip to the treatment and prevention section, here are a few products from the website:  (P.S. I am not promoting these products, and perhaps people who have used them have comments.)  A product called Tecnu Oak-n-Ivy® Cleanser is now marketed through forestry supply catalogs. It contains a mixture of organic solvents and wood pulp by-products which remove terpene resins and urushiol from the skin. Thorough rinsing with water is recommended. Other organic solvents, such as rubbing alcohol, would probably also remove the
 urushiol residue. Of course, if the allergen has already penetrated the epidermal layer and bonded to deeper skin cells it is too late. Interestingly enough, the original Tecnu product was developed to remove radioactive fallout dust from the skin without water (Mermon, 1987). It was supposed to be stocked in fallout shelters across the United States. Later it was found to be highly effective in removing paint resins and, quite by accident, urushiol. [Tecnu is a crude distillate of gasoline and is quite expensive compared to other solvents such as gasoline, paint thinner and acetone.] Another product that claims to remove urushiol from the skin, even after a rash has developed, is called Zanfel™. Check the Zanfel web site for more information.   Another product developed for the U.S. Forest Service is called Ivy Block®. It is an aerosol spray or lotion containing activated bentonite clay used in antiperspirants. Ivy Block® forms a barrier that both prevents urushiol from
 touching the skin and chemically binds with it so it becomes inactive. Ivy Block® is very effective, but is not a panacea for extremely sensitive people. Another effective blocking agent called StokoGard Outdoor Cream®, a fatty acid ester, is available through industrial supply houses and by asking your pharmacist to order it from Stockhausen, Inc. of Greensboro, North Carolina.                 Ivy Block® is a protective lotion containing activated bentonite clay. Ivy Block® forms a barrier that both prevents urushiol from touching the skin and chemically binds with it so it becomes inactive. The cream is applied to exposed areas of the body before going out into poison oak country. 

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