Re: Cleaning Poison Ivy Urushiol off Gear

Thanks everyone for all of the sympathy and advice and to Bill for the site references. After 30-some-odd years outdoors without a reaction I was in denial that I'd get one now. But as I learned from lots of anguishing time on the internet looking for a miracle cure, immunity wears off with repeated exposure and the only thing you can assume about poison ivy is that you might not have had it YET.

Mine cropped up on my legs about a week after a backpacking trip, which included quite a bit of bushwacking (this is my sob story anecdote). Most info says that the rash typically appears within hours or a day or so, but apparently it can be longer for first-timers. That general info threw me in the beginning. I was hoping it was some sort of bad bug bites on my legs based on how it first looked. My friends who are doctors quickly disillusioned me. Things rapidly spread out and became worse: blisters, relentless itching, feeling generally awful and just “off,” and sleepless nights during which I resorted to showering at 2 or 3 a.m. for temporary relief.

Ultimately my reaction spread and became systemic, although not a severe systemic case as far as those can go. It culminated in running a mountain race with swollen legs and extra itchy feet, half covered in calamine lotion. On the upside, I hoped my hideous appearance would scare off the other runners.

After four weeks I'm now just somewhat red and itchy. I think I'll be able to go on (okay sob story over).

I admit that I used to think poison ivy wasn't a big deal: it’s just itchy, deal with it, right? Hah! Now I truly do feel deep sympathy for all of you who have suffered any reaction like this. The etiquette Bill posted is right on.

Anyway, I'm going to wash my gear in the bathtub, with gloves on and several rinses, using detergent, probably Dawn, but maybe Tecnu. Or maybe a round with each. I’m still paranoid.

Then I'm going to rigorously study the pictures of poison ivy and oak and sumac in their many forms since I don't want a repeat experience, let alone a worse one.

I liked this line from one of the sites Bill linked to:
“Only through extreme paranoia can you avoid poison oak. The alternative is to never go anywhere fun.”