Poison Oak Treatment?

[fmyth]

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.

I've read that your body typically becomes more sensitive to urushiol each time you come in contact with it and the reactions/rash gets worse. Your friends claim suggests the opposite.

" How urushiol sensitivity works

• Immune system response:
  The rash isn't caused by the urushiol itself, but by the body's immune response to it. When urushiol penetrates the skin, it binds to skin proteins and triggers an allergic reaction.
  

• T-cell activation:
  The immune system's T-cells mistakenly identify the urushiol-protein complex as a foreign substance. They send out inflammatory signals, causing the classic symptoms of itching, redness, and blisters.
  

• Developing sensitivity:
  Most people are not allergic the first time they are exposed. Repeated exposure can increase the likelihood of developing an allergy and a more severe reaction later on.
  

• Changes over a lifetime:
  Sensitivity can change over a person's lifetime. It is possible for someone who believes they are immune to develop a rash later in life.
  

Why you shouldn't try to build immunity

• Myth of developing immunity:
  There is no reliable, safe way to build immunity to poison ivy. The idea that you can become immune by eating or repeatedly exposing yourself to the plant is a myth.
  

• Increased risk:
  Deliberately increasing exposure to urushiol can increase your risk of developing a severe allergic reaction.
  

• Risk of severe reaction:
  The allergic reaction can be severe, and attempts to build tolerance could lead to an even worse response. "
  

 

[IdahoBeav]

Oh man, I grew up in southern Oregon; this brings back memories.

Heat, sweating, and moisture are your enemies. They make it itch worse and spread. Do anything you can do to be in colder temps. Turn down the thermostat. Wear T-shirt and shorts. Take cold showers or baths. Drying out the infected areas also helps. This can be done by applying rubbing alcohol.

Preventative measures are highly affective. I used to cut firewood in areas where poison oak could not be avoided, and I was able to keep from being infected with this process:

Wearing gloves whenever touching anything that could have touched poison oak

Upon returning home, remove boots and all exterior clothing prior to entering the house. Place clothing in a plastic bag and take directly to the washing machine. Using plastic gloves is also a good idea, but thoroughly washing hands with cold water is also effective. Whatever you do, don't touch your skin prior to washing hands.

Once all exterior clothing has safely been removed, take a cold shower.

 

[bpurtz]

I've read that your body typically becomes more sensitive to urushiol each time you come in contact with it and the reactions/rash gets worse. Your friends claim suggests the opposite.

I've heard the same thing, that the more often you get it the more intense of an allergic reaction. I'm just getting over an extreme case that I acquired while helping search for my friend Devon - probably the worst case I've ever had - I finished my prednisone Rx 2 days ago and still have some minor rashes.

I'm never planning to try the micro-dose tea thing, but my Asplundh buddy claims it worked for him...

 

[yfarm]

Son and a friend went to a bonfire while in college, unknown to the participants the wood being burned had poison ivy vines, everyone exposed to the smoke had near total body reaction, required steroids.

 

[Gseith]

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.

I consider myself a pro at catching it. It’s everywhere here.
If I’m in it, it’s straight to a cold shower with dawn dish soap. I always figured a hot shower would open up pores and make it worse.
If it’s hot and I’m sweaty day, I’m in the shower in about 2-3 hours after being in it. If it’s cold 4-5 hours.
I get it bad and I never want to risk it. My clothes go straight into the washer. I wipe tools or anything I was using down with rubbing alcohol.
I still manage to get it every year, but it’s always small amounts.

 

[waspocrew]

Dermatologist here:

Regarding building immunity or tolerance, it doesn’t get better with time.

It’s a form of allergic contact dermatitis and is a type 4 delayed hypersensitivity response. Hives for example, are a type 1 or immediate hypersensitivity response.

As long as you don’t contact the particular allergen (in this case, urushiol), life is good. Once you’ve been sensitized, you get the reaction with subsequent exposures.

Generally, I prescribe patients at least a weeks worth of prednisone and topical triamcinolone ointment. As others have mentioned, washing is key. The oils can be on clothes, pets, tools, etc and if it continues to get on your skin, you won’t see improvement.