Beating Poison Ivy
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
It seems like poison ivy finds its way to my sensitive skin every year and I’ve already had my first bout with its dreaded irritant: urushiol. Anyone having the allergic reaction to the plant knows the incessant nature of the itching and would do almost anything to rid one’s being from the dastardly rash.
Leaves of three, let it be.
Although the oil can be washed off with alcohol or strong soap, one has to realize the nature of the insatiable itching before it is spread all over the body. Unfortunately, this realization typically happens too late to curtail the spread of the nasty rash. Even though I know how to identify the plant and its hairy vines, it’s usually disguised among other vegetation and finds me, nonetheless. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve learned to be prepared to minimize its effects after the fact and that’s the nature of the lesson to follow.
Zanfel is a proven topical treatment that has properties that can nullify the itch within minutes. It comes in a small squeeze-tube weighing a scant one ounce and costs $20 and up! Since learning about the product’s effectiveness, I’ve kept it in stock.
A few years ago, a young lady who picks morel mushrooms on my property, had contracted the ivy’s rash and informed me that she was heading to the doctor for treatment. I informed her hold off on the trip to the doctor and gave her the tiny tube of paste. The instructions are to squeeze a line of no less than 1 ½ inches onto the palm of one’s hand and rub the hands together. Then, simply rub it directly onto the affected parts for a minute and rinse it off. Presto! The itch was gone along with the planned doctor’s visit.
On my next trip to the dermatologist – who has treated me for skin cancer numerous times – I mentioned the product’s remarkable solution to poison ivy irritation and all he said was that he wanted to see the ingredients. When I saw him on my next visit, I showed him the package and he remarked, “Soap!” He followed up his comment by questioning if I was trying to put him out of business.
Although there are numerous home remedies, I’ve learned of another product that seems to be on par with the expensive Zanfel: Fels-Naptha soap. Originally developed by the Fels & Company about 1893, the product originally contained naphtha – a volatile inflammable liquid used in dry cleaning and varnish making. In the early 20th century, the company prospered, based on sales of Fels-Naptha but since then, the naphtha has been replaced with a more skin-friendly compound. Regardless, the self-care “laundry” soap still works and is readily available at a fraction of the cost of Zanfel. Merely wash the affected skin, using lukewarm water and a washcloth to remove the oil that causes the rash. Make sure to scrub fingernails, too, and maybe you’ll be able to keep the doctor away without eating an apple.
