Poison Oak Treatment?

[TX_Diver]

I’ve never been one to have much of a reaction but I got 2 small spots on my hand a week ago on a trip and it’s escalated within the last few days.

I originally Washed my clothes and myself with Tecnu and just kinda let those spots sit as they weren’t too bad, but Friday I started getting spots popping up all over, leg, neck, other arm, etc. and it kinda sucks

right now I’m showering daily with tecnu and using calamine lotion frequently, and I washed my sheets etc with tecnu also.

What else can I do to improve this?

I feel for the people that are supers allergic! New experience for me and not super fun!!

 

[Jon C]

I’ve been prescribed prednisone three times when it was really bad. Worked great to clear it up in three days. Got it helping at a buddies parents house in high school all over my arms and legs pulling fence posts. Then the next year got it weed whacking at my my job. All over my face and arms. Third time not sure what happened but think I got it cutting grass on riding lawn mower. Spread bad all three times and wouldn’t go away. I’ve had it before and after and had it go away on its own also.

 

[huntcookwrite]

if you can’t get — or don’t want to get — a prednisone prescription, Zanfel is a lifesaver.

 

[TX_Diver]

if you can’t get — or don’t want to get — a prednisone prescription, Zanfel is a lifesaver.

How different is it from tecnu?

 

[Backyard]

The soaps only work to remove the oils that cause the irritation and reaction. After it shows up, it basically beyond that stage. (Gotta get on it right away).

Especially if you’ve washed with it once already. As mentioned, a visit with a Dr will get you steroid to help speed up the recovery. And calamine will help to dry up the blisters.
As for the wash, I’ve always (learned this in scouts years ago) used Fels Naptha laundry bar soap to remove the oils from skin and clothes. I live in an area where poison ivy and oak grow everywhere. I always have a bar in the shower and at the wash tub.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fmyth]

The rash itself is not contagious. The fluid in the blisters does not contain urushiol. What seems like the rash spreading is usually due to the oil being on another part of the skin, or from re-exposure to contaminated clothing or objects. You can avoid a rash if you know you've been exposed and can take a hot shower with Dawn dish soap within 24 hours of contact. Make sure to wash the clothes, boots, shoes and gear you were wearing when you made contact with the poison oak. The urushiol oil can remain on clothes and hard surfaces for a long time and can get on your hands where you'll continue to spread it on your body.

 

[Agross]

I get poison Ivey and oak terribly. Every year. Multiple times a year. So did my dad. So does my boy. We keep a bottle of dawn dish soap in the shower at all times. If we r in the woods or trimming brush or cutting trees I use it. Try not to take a hot showers though, as I was told it irritates it more. This has helped but definitely not eliminated it. There is Nothing that works as good as going to the doctor for a steroid shot and round of prednisone. I get it so offen and bad the doctor doesn’t even ask to see the Ivey. Just says u want the shot and pills. Yes please. A few years ago after a bad storm I had to trim alot of brush to open the driveway and I had it so bad that the shot and pills didn’t do it. I had to go back in and do it again. That’s the only time it didn’t work, but I was covered in it. So bad my eyes were swelling shut.

 

[taskswap]

If you can't get prednisone, cortisone is an over-the-counter that's also very helpful. It's not as strong but it's better than just waiting.

Wash your clothes in the hottest water you have a setting for, with plenty of soap to remove any lingering oil on them. Wash yourself with a very good soap for the same reason. You need to use a washcloth or other item.

This guy has a really good demonstration of how persistent the oil can be when you try to remove it (or think you've done it):

 

[weekender7]

2 weeks or 14 days, whichever comes first for me.

 

[bpurtz]

I have a friend who works for Asplundh in Western Oregon where he is frequently exposed to poison oak. He claims to have become immune to the allergic reaction by micro-dosing early growth leaves that he grinds up and steeps in a tea.

 

[riversidejeep]

Myself as a youngster my eyes would swell shut and have a rash everywhere after exposure, as I got older 20s-30s, it became less severe. Now I can crawl throw it with no affect other that maybe a dime size rash for a couple days. I think there's something to immunity.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

I get it pretty bad almost every deer season. No off the shelf treatment works once the oils have already set in.

I just email my doctor and get a weeks worth of prednisone. Clears it up quickly (2-3 days).

 

[Pharmseller]

If you’re getting new reactions it’s most likely due to new exposures. Pets, car seat, anything. Think of the oil as paint you can’t see. You get a spot of paint on your hand and transfer it to the steering wheel, new exposure. The stock of your rifle, new exposure. On and on, you get the idea.

Gotta clean everything you touch.

 

[Pharmseller]

And keep it away from your dick.

 

[wytx]

Tecnu

Tecnu, the Expert in Outdoor Itch Relief

Trust Tecnu the “Outdoor Itch Expert” to solve your poison ivy & oak rash, insect bites, and more so you can keep enjoying the outdoors.

tecnu.com

 

[wowzers]

And keep it away from your dick.

When I ran hounds for coons growing up I found out the hard way. Was holding some dogs by the collars then took a leak and a couple hours later realized my mistake. Even with prednisone it was miserable.

 

[AM_Hunter]

Got it a few weeks ago helping my buddy pack his deer out of a canyon. Im fairly allergic to it and have gotten it many times. Usually I use some kind of anti-itch and try not to itch it until it dries out, then I can itch like crazy freely.

This time however it got really bad. Some splotches on my left arm, thigh, and rib that werent too bad but my right arm got real bad. From wrist to elbow every square inch was blistered and oozing, forearm doubled in size, hand turned into a balloon, oozing puss through bandage wrap and three layers of clothing. Never had it that bad before. That went on for a week or so. When the hand swelled I went to the doctor. Steroid cream, a steroid shot in the butt, and prednisone and it was much better after 5 or so days.