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There are lots of references about poison ivy and poison oak on the web. Some even with pictures. But there is no reference that gives you all the information like: how to identify it, how to prevent it, how to treat a rash, how to kill it. This page attempts to be THE reference on dealing with poison ivy. I made this page from personal experience, since my property is covered with the pest. |
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There are lots of references about poison ivy and poison oak on the web. Some even with pictures. But there is no reference that gives you all the information like: how to identify it, how to prevent it, how to treat a rash, how to kill it. This page attempts to be THE reference on dealing with [poison ivy]?. |
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Poison ivy and oak (hereafter referred to as poison ivy collectively) contain a sticky compound all over the leaves and stems called "urishiol". It is an oil that causes severe dermatitis 4-48 hours after contact with the skin. There was some research done after WWI on using urishiol in a gas form on enemy troops. But the effects were so horrible on the lungs of people that it was banned from warfare. Archaeologists discovered some poison ivy in a 2000 year old tomb, and it still caused a rash on one of the scientists. |
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Poison ivy rash along with that from [poison oak]? (hereafter referred to as poison ivy collectively) contain a sticky compound all over the leaves and stems called "urishiol?". It is an oil that causes severe dermatitis? 4-48 hours after contact with the skin. There was some research done after WWI on using urishiol in a gas form on enemy troops. But the effects were so horrible on the lungs of people that it was banned from warfare. Archaeologists discovered some poison ivy in a 2000 year old tomb, and it still caused a rash on one of the scientists. |
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Poison ivy is found all over the midwest and eastern US, from Michigan down to Florida. Poison oak prefers warmer climates and is limited to the southern states and southwest. Poison oak and poison ivy ARE different, though some botanists might argue they are variations of the same species. |
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Poison ivy is found all over the midwest and eastern United States, from Michigan down to Florida. Poison oak prefers warmer climates and is limited to the southern states and southwest. Poison oak and poison ivy ARE different, though some botanists might argue they are variations of the same species. |
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Urishiol is an oil and is not washed off by plain water. People have had success in lessening the rash by wiping the area clean with alcohol, or mild soap, in order to break down the oil. If you are desperate, you could also try wiping the area with other solvents, like acetone (nail polish remover). Some article advise against this because it will deprive your skin of moisturizers to protect you from the oil. However, the oil is obviously having an effect on your skin, and you can always put lotion on the area later. |
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Urishiol is an oil and is not washed off by plain water. People have had success in lessening the rash by wiping the area clean with alcohol, or mild soap, in order to break down the oil. If you are desperate, you could also try wiping the area with other solvents, like acetone (nail polish remover). Some article advise against this because it will deprive your skin of moisturizers to protect you from the oil. However, the oil is obviously having an effect on your skin, and you can always put lotion on the area later. |
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My experience has been that poison ivy is EXTREMELY hardy and very resistant to poisons. You must use a systemic killer to kill the whole plant, roots and all, or it will just grow back the next year. Roundup and other grass killers do not affect poison ivy, it just keeps growing happily. You must use a brush killer. I like Ortho Brush killer as it is less expensive than other brands. |
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Poison ivy is EXTREMELY hardy and very resistant to poisons. You must use a systemic killer to kill the whole plant, roots and all, or it will just grow back the next year. Roundup and other grass killers do not affect poison ivy, it just keeps growing happily. You must use a brush killer. I like Ortho Brush killer as it is less expensive than other brands. |
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/Talk? |
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Another solution is mixing 1/4 cup salt in 1 quart of water and put in a spray bottle. Spray the leaves of the poison ivy with this solution. NOTE: this will possibly kill any surrounding plant life if it gets a significant amount of salt water on it. Yet another solution which has worked is sprinkling Borax on the leaves. It will take about 3 weeks for the leaves to die back. I do not know if it kills the whole plant, but the area I sprinkled with Borax did not show any poison ivy this year. chuckr30@netzero.net /Talk? |
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