I don't know about poison oak but I have been battling a LOT of poison ivy plants all summer. I "got" PI twice in the process of mowing and spraying. The first time I didn't know what PI looked like and I mowed a large patch of 3' tall plants with a small riding lawn mower as well as pulling some plants out of the ground by hand. Needless to say I got PI from that. The second time I must have let a plant rub against my forearm when I was spraying it, cause I got some there again. Fortunatly I'm one of those people that don't get it that "bad" just little itchy bumps that last about a week.
Anyways after the second time I bought a pair of thin coveralls, some elbow length rubberized gloves and a pair of knee high rubber boots. I have since walked, stood, cut brush, sprayed right in the middle of patches of solid PI many times and haven't gotten it again. When I am done working in it I always do what I have come to call "the poison ivy drill".
Take off the boots, gloves, coveralls and hat carefully not to touch exposed areas of the clothing and put it in a garbage bag. I always carry a pack of baby wipes and wipe off my hands or face and anything else I think could have come in contact with the oil ASAP.
Jump in the truck and drive home. Dump the boots and gloves out in the yard and spray them down real good with the garden hose on all sides, also wash any tools down at this point too. No soap or anything just take time and spray them real good with pressure.
Carefully dump the coveralls and hat in the washer and wash them. Nothing special, just cold water and regular laundry soap.
Now immediatly jump in the shower and wash from head to toe with Dawn dishwashing soap, wash hair and everything with it.
My system works, I have done this several times and never gotten PI again. I don't think you need to throw your clothes away or burn them.
As far as the itching goes, I put straight rubbing alchohol on a cotton ball and rub the crap out of it where it itches. Probably not good for a persons skin but man does it feel good. I think it helps dry it up too but be careful, I DON'T have sensitive skin. |
