Itch, Itch, Itchy Appraisers.

[Mountain Man]

I suspect most seasoned appraisers know, or have found out from personal experience, what Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac looks like. Since I'm an old Boy Scout (still pretending to be one ) I spend half my life outdoors....... so I learned the difference loooong time ago. But my wife wanted to know the difference, and I found this really good site with photos, treatments, and "do nots" list.

Newbies, they don't teach this in class...... but you'd better know it.

http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/pictures.html

P.S. It's a myth that once the blister appear, it can be spread by scratching. While scratching tears the skin apart (that is what cause the more sever pain/itching) the liquid oozing out is not the poison...... it's your own bodily fluids. The poison is spread by unknowingly transferring the oil of the ivy from body part to body part, before the blisters appear.... not fun.

 

[David S. Roberson]

I don't know why, but I can rub the stuff on my face & it doesn't bother me. Anyone else immune like me?

 

[Mountain Man]

Yes, my brother. Strange, but a few people don't have any reaction. However.... the BIG "But" is that it's extremly RARE. Most folks will have some level of irritation. So if someone were to kiss you on the cheek, oops... they now have it on their lips, toung, mouth, etc.

Some even have a reaction to Creaping Virgina. Which for the most part is a harmless 5 leaf vine, often mistaken for Poison Ivy.

Even though it doesn't seem to bother you, do not use it when out of TP ....... or smoke it. Not good

 

[Oregon Doug]

Poison Oak & Poison Ivy are two different plants.

I was pretty much immune to the effects of Poison Ivy way back in my days in the midwest so I naturally believed that Poison Oak would be much the same. Not so!

Out here in my little corner of the Country, we have lots of Poison Oak but little/no Poison Ivy. It turns out that the Poison Oak toxin is adsorbed through the skin - not on the skin like Poison Ivy. It can therefore enter your blood stream Where ever you perspire, you develop a rash/itch and It can take a long treatment with Methylpredisone to clear. Trust me, I know this.

A word to the wise, specially all you young appraiserettes out there - watch your step when you are out there thrashin' about in the bushes and wear suitable attire.

Oregon Doug

 

[Tom Barclay]

I happen to be one of the few that has not had a serious reaction, and I spend quite a bit of time in the woods. Had five acres chocked full of blackberries and poison ok, and though I wouldn't want to roll in it, I didn't have any problems. Not so my last wife. She would blow up like a balloon, hives, rash, you name it. We had to have immediate medical attention including cortinsone(sp) shots, etc. Can tell you from direct observation that it is not pleasant.
But, although the plants are a slightly different genus/species , the oil(urashiol) that they exude is the same. And it is absorbed through the skin, within about twenty four hours they are chemically locked onto the skin . The oil can last on a doorknob or clothing for up to 5 years, it does not evaporate, and can still contaminate anyone who touches it. It is most commonly transfered in the spring when the plants are producing the most oil. And, those of us who are lucky enough not to have a serious reaction can look foward to one eventually. The more you are exposed, the more severe the reaction. My understanding is that 25% of us are lucky enough not to have severe reactions, and 75% have varying degrees of severe reaction.

 

[xm39hnu]

Does anybody know whether the urashiol in these things will bind to detergent? Or will washing with detergent only serve to spread it?

 

[TEL2002]

I am not immue to it, but I live in a woods with lots of Poison Ivy/Oak/Summac. When cutting trees/grass I usually get into it quite a bit. My routine (within 2 hours of contact) 1. go straight to laundry room and throw all of your clothes in the washer, 2. proceed to the shower and scrub down from head to toe with shampoo (it helps to cut the oils). So far this has worked very well.
I know you must scrub the oil off within 2-3 hours or you will get the itch.

 

[Tom Barclay]

There is a special liquid soap that we used to use that was designed to cut through the oil. Don't remember the name, but was made by "TechNu".
While I do believe that anything that would cut through oil, ie hot water and soap would work, if you don't get it all you can spead it. It is one of those substances where it only takes 1 nanogram to cause a rash.
I also was not allowed to touch anything in the house. Undress on the deck, clothes directly into the washer, and me into the shower.

 

[Stone]

I am also one of those who does not get bothered by poison Ivy. My father is the same, so I suppose it might be genetic? I have never been in contact with poison oak (at least as far as I know) but I have also always assumed that it would bother me.

I run into nettles often enough that I wish they didn't bother me.

Since the Poison Ivy reaction is an allergy I still try not to touch it because allergies can come and go from year to year. I figure the first time I purposely touch it, I will no longer be immune.

 

[Blue1]

Up here in FAR Northern CA, we are up to our eyballs in Poison Oak. The Forest Service and Smoke Jumbers around here use the product Tom mentioned: "Technu." After you are exposed you use the stuff like you would liquid hand soap (no water) for about 2 minutes then you rinse with cold water. It's worked every time for me. (No I don't own shares in the company )

There's an old (Indian I think) belief around here that the eating of Manzanita berries will make you immune....Don't know....

Word to the wise....I was immune most of my life until I cleared a bunch of it from my property one year.....You guessed it.....Don't assume liftime immunity......