Poison Ivy

[Tweegs]

Well gents, I’m walking proof that poison ivy will rip you up no matter what time of year it is.

My wood lot is full of the stuff, and as such, I know what the plant looks like, I know what the vines look like, and from previous experience I know it will still get you even when it looks dead or dormant.

We had a huge wind storm last Friday, followed by near a foot of snow on Sunday.

One tree, a rather large one encased in poison ivy vines, came down across a path I use to get to some buckets. Knowing snow was on the way and not wanting to trip over the stupid thing for the rest of the season, I decided I best take care of it, I wanted more wood on the pile anyway.

My normal M.O. on a tree like this is to use a machete to whack the vines into about 4 foot sections, then slide the machete between the tree and vine. This removes the vine quite easily. Pile the vines up and give them a good dose of herbicide later in the spring.

Last thing you want to do is run a chainsaw through one of these vines if you can avoid it. Now I know there are vines on the underside of this tree, but it’s too big to roll over without cutting it first. No problem, watch the wind, where those chips are flying, and just be careful, right?

I finish with the tree and head inside. Standing at the washing machine, the gloves come off and go right in, wash hands at the utility sink. Coveralls off and straight into the machine, wash hands again. Rest of the clothes came off and in the machine. I would go jump in the shower at this point to remove anything that may have transferred from my clothes to me (anything I came in contact with out in the woods is going to leave a mark by now anyway), but I still have a ton of work to do so I skip it, get dressed again and head out…big mistake.

Today I have poison ivy on my hands, face, neck, armpit, crotch, and inner thighs. Scratchin’ like a hound dog, I am. Miserable, just miserable.

Hands, face, and neck I can understand, but the rest of it??? I didn’t answer natures call out there, I knew better. And the armpit?? Please! Had to have been from the clothes.

So two questions arise out of this:

First, anyone out there got a good way to kill this stuff off? It’s a battle I’m not going to win, but I’m going to give it one heck of a shot, ‘cause…It’s on now! :lol:

Second, anybody got a good remedy for the itch?
Been using hydrocortisone and calamine.

[Paddymountain]

I used to work for Asplundh climbing trees years ago,and I can readily symphasize with you . Geting it rather easily, I had poison ivy from March to November. The only thing I know to do is stay a mile away from it. I did find out that Benedryl does about as much for the itching as anything.

[wcproctor]

Use Benedryl for the pain and Tecnu Extreme, you can get this at your local drug store.

[peacemaker]

bleach water mix wash your skin

[lastwoodsman]

If it doesn't improve with your current doctoring see your dr.
I can remember my dad saying for years how he was immune to it, which he was but age changes things and in his 70's was picking blueberries while sitting in it.
Long story short.
It got into his blood stream and his legs looked like hamburger in the meat case--almost lost'em, both legs Spent a month in the hospital-**** near died.
Mild cases dr. yourself--if it looks bad get to the Dr.
Anyway dad made to his late 90's but I have a healthy respect for that stuff as if appears you do as well with the precautions you took.
Good luck.
Woodsman

[C.Wilcox]

I think woodsman has it right. It sounds like you might have a systemic infection due to your sensitivity to the toxin. You should go to the doctor to get checked out. They may be able to prescribe you a steroid that will be more effective in alleviating your symptoms. In the future you need to be absolutely paranoid about dealing with it. You can't skip any of the steps in the process when it comes to avoiding contact. You might want to look into some Tyvek suits that you can wear and then discard as soon as you're done working in poison ivy areas. Wear a face shield, duct tape your gloves onto your sleeves and your pants cuffs to your boots. If you can stand to wear a respirator, do so. The toxin can aerosolize when you cut it and you can end up breathing it in. There's no question that wearing that much protective gear in warm weather will make you completely miserable, but that will only last for the time that you're wearing it. Poison ivy will make you miserable for a whole lot longer. Also, as you probably know, poison ivy grows as a low growing gound cover, a waist high free-standing vine, and a climbing vine and each version looks slightly different from the others. Keep your eyes open for it on all levels when you're in the woods. I've seen people point at poison ivy vines on trees and talk about how allergic they are to it while they were unknowingly standing in a carpet of it at the same time.

[3rdgen.maple]

Sounds like poison oak to me. That is what climbs the trees and vines all over the place. I was in the understanding poison ivy is more of a plant that does not grow very tall and poison oak is the vines we see all over the place. My first experience with it was hanging a treestand. I had to get a series of steroid shots to get rid of it. Doc said once it is in your blood stream its trouble and steroids was the only way to control it from spreading more.

[SeanD]

Tweegs,

Sorry to hear about the poison ivy. I would agree, you should go to the doctor ASAP. You need the steroid treatment to tackle it everywhere in your body.

Once you are positive you have removed the active oils from your clothes and body with Technu and showers, you can treat the itch with very hot water. You have it in so many places that it may not be effective for you, but when I get it on my hands or legs it does the trick.

Turn on the hot water and put the affected area under it. It comes out cool at first then it will gradually get hotter. This is key. You will be able to tolerate the heat more if you bring it up gradually. If you run the water hot and then put your hand in, it will hurt too much.

Keep the affected area under the hot water for as long as you can stand it. Then either blot or air dry. The heat causes the affected area to release the chemicals that cause your skin to itch and the water washes it away. It will sting and get a little ticklish, but then it will pass. It takes hours for the area to build up the chemical again. I usually get about 4 hours of relief using this method.

Like I said. This is good for the hands and legs in the sink. I've never tried it on the whole body in the shower. You should get to the doctor.

Good luck,
Sean

[Tweegs]

OK, thanks guys.

I’ll go pick up some Benadryl at lunch and see if I can get this under control, and if not, I’ll give some of the other things a try.

Got a physical scheduled a few weeks out, if it gets any worse I’ll see if I can pull that ahead.

My understanding of poison ivy is that the more you are exposed to it, the more sensitive you become. I manage to get a small dose of it a couple of times a year, never had it like this, usually just a spot or two on the hands.

Would like to get it cleared out of a few areas out in the woodlot. I wouldn’t then be so paranoid of letting the grand kids out there to play. Only 1 grand kid right now, just a year old, but they are talking another soon. Gives me a few years to put a lid on the stuff.

[wally]

Sounds like poison oak to me. That is what climbs the trees and vines all over the place. I was in the understanding poison ivy is more of a plant that does not grow very tall and poison oak is the vines we see all over the place.
no. poison ivy most certainly climbs trees in vine form.

[wally]

Would like to get it cleared out of a few areas out in the woodlot. I wouldn’t then be so paranoid of letting the grand kids out there to play. Only 1 grand kid right now, just a year old, but they are talking another soon. Gives me a few years to put a lid on the stuff.

you can apply an over-the-counter herbicide such as ortho "weed B gone". spray the leaves once they appear in the late spring, and then as new leaves emerge from other places on the vines.

[sapsick]

when i as a kid i would get covered every summer with that stuff. gram would wash me with really hot water and yellow dial soap to get the oil off. then after drying off (blotting) she would pour rubbing alcohol o n it to dry it out. it wasnt the most pleasant feeling if the bunches were open but it worked then and still works for me today. good luck

[Sugarmaker]

OUCH! and ITCH!
I can get it walking by a tree with poison ivy , Usually when tapping I get it. I did not this year. I cant imagine the discomfort you are in! Yikes!
I would call the doctor and get a dose of prednizone [sp?]. It is a steroid as others have mentioned but works the best for me.
Good luck. Hope it clears before you have to make syrup.
SM

[Clarkfield Farms]

OK, thanks guys.

I’ll go pick up some Benadryl at lunch and see if I can get this under control, and if not, I’ll give some of the other things a try.

Got a physical scheduled a few weeks out, if it gets any worse I’ll see if I can pull that ahead.

My understanding of poison ivy is that the more you are exposed to it, the more sensitive you become. I manage to get a small dose of it a couple of times a year, never had it like this, usually just a spot or two on the hands.

Would like to get it cleared out of a few areas out in the woodlot. I wouldn’t then be so paranoid of letting the grand kids out there to play. Only 1 grand kid right now, just a year old, but they are talking another soon. Gives me a few years to put a lid on the stuff.


Livingston Daily News, February 25, 2011

Howell Maple Producer Nearly Dies From Case of Poison Ivy

A Howell, MI resident and maple producer was admitted to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital early yesterday afternoon after collapsing at his home, the result of an uncommon but not unheard of case of winter-time poison ivy. His condition was listed as stable but serious. At the request of his family, his identity is being withheld but livingstondaily.com was able to verify that the screen name used by the victim on mapletrader.com is "tweegs."

Doctors at St. Joseph's were able to save both legs, but have indicated that portions of his face and both hands and forearms may need reconstructive surgery.

"He had a physical scheduled in early March, he was waiting for that before he went to see the doctor," his nervous wife tearfully said. "His friends on mapletrader.com all told him NOT to wait, but he didn't think it was this serious," she added. "He just wanted to get back into the woodlot, so he put it off."

A hospital spokesperson indicated that "tweegs" could well miss out on the entire maple season for this year. She also stated that poison ivy and other noxious weeds can be eliminated and prevented with an application of boron at the rate of 4 pounds per acre.

A full but slow recovery is expected.

:cry:


okay, not funny, but seriously!!!! GET TO THE DOCTOR, there's no sense waiting. As a former surveyor, I've had some of the worst run-ins with the stuff that you can't even imagine. It's called "POISON" for an excellent reason -- it poisons your skin, the largest organ in (well, "on" actually) your body!!!! ...well, maybe second largest but hey.... :o

and btw, the part about boron (NOT borax) is true.;)

Seriously, I wouldn't wait.

[twofer]

when i as a kid i would get covered every summer with that stuff. gram would wash me with really hot water and yellow dial soap to get the oil off. then after drying off (blotting) she would pour rubbing alcohol o n it to dry it out. it wasnt the most pleasant feeling if the bunches were open but it worked then and still works for me today. good luck

The rubbing alcohol was probably what did the best prevention. The urushiol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urushiol) is broken down by alcohol.

And no, pounding a beer afterward does not work. :)

[MapleMounder]

Tweegs,

I feel your pain, when I was a kid I could pick bouquets of it with no rash, nothing. As I got older I started having reactions to it. I worked on a tree farm in high school and had to steer clear of the stuff. If I was even with in 5 feet of it I would break out. As usual there has been some great info already given. I always use Dawn dish soap to wash up immediately afterwards, I also us an over the counter product called Zanfel, I heard it on Paul Harvey years ago and it has worked great for me. I also concur with go see the doctor, I have had to do it several times and the steroid shot they give you usually starts drying the stuff up in 12 hours or so.

I am a fireman and took a kid in the ambulance one time the was having sever trouble breathing after sitting around a camp fire, turned out he was having a Anaphylaxis from poison ivy or oak vines that was on the firewood in the fire.

Good luck!

[Tweegs]

Yeah, I’m heading over to see the vampire today. He always hits me up for a couple gallons of blood every time I go in there, and he won’t take syrup in trade.

It spread a bit and was just a miserable night, time to go see the blood thirsty…

Actually, I’ve been going to this guy for years, greatest Doc that ever walked, far as I’m concerned. He’s my age, good sense of humor, even has a personality. He’s going to get a chuckle out of my predicament, for sure. :lol:

[Tweegs]

Well back from the doc, laughed his butt off, but said he’s treated cases in the winter before, usually some fool like me cutting wood (his words). What he thought was funny is that I obviously knew what I was dealing with and got it anyway. Most of his patients were clueless that they could get it in the winter. He gave me a slow taper steroid that I have to take for 12 days instead of a shot.

Asked me when he could schedule my colonoscopy, since I turn 50 this year. I told him to schedule it for the same day as his, since he turns 50 this year, too. (HA! Laugh it up, fuzzball! I’ll not suffer the indignity alone!)

Yeastpimp,
You mentioned being a surveyor at one time, need a guess from you…

I need to have one of my property lines surveyed. It would be a 2400 ft straight run from the road to the back of my property. Hills, thick brush, woods, poison ivy, to contend with. Just looking for a ball park price range guestimate.

[Sugarmaker]

Tweegs,
Glad your on he mend!
Chris

[Clarkfield Farms]

Tweegs, I don't know the laws or practices in Michigan, but I'd imagine they're similar everywhere. In order to survey one line, the entire property may well need to be surveyed in order to establish that one line. Here in New York, most of the the eastern and central part of the state is metes and bounds whereas some of the western part of the state, as well as (IIRC) all of Michigan (Traverse City comes to mind) and most states west of the 13 colonies (sort of) goes by the Rectangular Land Survey System. What that means for you is that it may be possible to have just the one line surveyed if it's an establised section line, etc. In other words, there are too many variables not the least of which is local custom. And I'd venture to guess that it won't be cheap. The best thing would be to sop around and make sure that the surveyors that you contact are reputable; as with every profession, there are D-students out there who managed to pass the very rigorous exam. hmmmmm.... I wonder if your doctor was one of those??? JUST KIDDING!!! :mrgreen:

[Tweegs]

Tweegs,
Glad your on he mend!
Chris

Thanks, appreciate that!


Yeastpimp,

I was looking at some of the documents and I think the first line is the line I need surveyed, but I can’t be sure, it’s all Greek to me. I did find the monument stake at the back of the property, but not one at the front. Because the line is not running true E. to W., using a GPS along a line of longitude from one monument stake doesn’t help, I’d need the coordinates from that front stake and a bunch of math and distance measurements, and then I’d still only be +/- 5 feet of the line, given the GPS error.

Being within 5 feet of the line would be close enough for me though. I just want to make sure I’m not tapping my neighbor’s trees. He just moved in and I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, though my first impressions aren’t the best.

Most of us have livestock around here, the occasional shot being fired after dark is expected, but blasting off a case of ammo at midnight…

Nobody around here cares if you want to drive your pick-up through your fields, but at 2 AM? Even that wouldn’t be so bad if he had something that resembled an exhaust system on it.

And then why would you come 50 yards inside the woodlot to take down a dead ash tree right on, or over, the property line when you passed up a dozen dead ash trees known to be on your property to get to it?

Silly things like that. Need to have a chat with this fellow, figure I’ll bring him over for pancakes when we start drawing off syrup. Maybe he’ll let me tap those trees.

[MN Jake]

I just wrote a nice post for this but it vanished into the inter web when I hit the post button, anyway here's the short version.......

There is a plant in the wild that will stop poison ivy or oak in its tracks, no matter what stage on your skin. Whether it's preventative, some bumps starting to show and itch, blisters, whatever. It's called Jewelweed, impatiens family. I had poison ivy last summer blistering and bloody in about five different areas for a week or so when I went and found the plant in the woods and applied it to 2 spots, stopped it within an hour and was already healing the next day. The other areas continued for at least another week. Here's what it looks like, and it absolutely works. The only thing known to actually stop it.

http://www.all-creatures.org/works/jewelweed.html

[maple flats]

Not everyone who has an allergy to poison ivy has the same experience. In my younger days it seemed I only needed to think it and I had a severe reaction. As I continue to work in the woods where lots of poison ivy grows, I'm getting less sensitive to it. Often now I can touch it anytime except hot sweaty days and not get it. When I do get it I only have very minor reactions. In my youth I had to be treated by a doctor on several occasions, eyes swelled shut,, couldn't close my pants etc.
My dad was the same way, up until his 40's he got it bad, by the time he was in his 60's he could pull the vines off trees with no reaction.
Poison Ivy takes different forms. If it has nothing to climb, it remains just a ground cover, but if it has anything to climb it will grow into an extremely thick vine and climb to the 20-30 and sometimes even 40' level.

[huntingken111]

Doctor tolds me to use monistat (woman fem stuff). Laugh but in three days gone. P>S> don't tell your fellow workers what you are using

[sugarsand]

I've been told that poison ivy, oak and summac all contain the same oilly poison. Poison ivy has never bothered me, but poison oak will hammer me with long lasting effects. We have poison all around the houses here and my son is very allergic to it. We also have Jewelweed that is getting thicker every year, have to try it on affected areas.

Sugarsand