[pct-l] Poison Oak/Ivy & Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT

[Hernandez]

Oh, you poor thing! I'm really allergic to poison oak as well, and also
allergic to the cortisones that doctors prescribe for it. I turn into the
incredible melting woman! Both Teknu and Anti Ivy work well. You can wash
with the soap/shampoo product and use the cream to keep the itch and
inflammation at bay.

I've also found a couple of very good natural remedies (got some on my hands
from a bare branch recently and looked like a Klingon). At Whole Foods, or a
similar 'natural' store, check out a cream called Rescue. It's about $11 for
a smallish tube, but it takes down the swelling, alleviates the itch, and
dramatically lowers the redness, at least for me. 

>From the Internet, check out a product called Relieve It. There's a lotion
and an oil. I have the lotion right now, but I like the lovely, herbal scent
of the oil better. The cream's more vanilla scented. Relieve It is a miracle
elixir for me. It killed the oak itch, slowed the oozing, and is also the
best thing I've ever used for instantly relieving my seized-up wrists after
too much keyboarding. 

I didn't quite believe in herbal remedies until one time when I had three
clients with impossible deadlines, and my hands turned into claws. This
stuff fixed me up in about three minutes. I kid you not. It's pricy, but
it's TERRIFIC!

Moonbeam

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of David Tamblyn
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:25 PM
To: Melissa Cappetti
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Poison Oak/Ivy & Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT

Try washing pack, etc using Tecnu - local pharmacy or sports store will have
it. 

Dave




Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 13, 2013, at 12:05 PM, Melissa Cappetti <melissa.cappetti at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hello PCT Friends!  (First time PCT Hiker here)
> 
> I was hoping to get some pointers on how bad the Poison Oak/Ivy situation
> is along the PCT and I've heard that there is another plant to avoid as
> well [Poodle-Dog Bush (Turricula)].  I'm very allergic to Poison Oak and
> don't want to learn on the PCT what kind of reaction I could have with the
> infamous Poodle-Dog bush either.
> 
> 10 days ago I did a training hike in Big Sur and the trail was a little
> overgrown in spots. As I walked along the trail, plants and sticks were
> brushing along my legs and body. I was experimenting with the hiking skort
> the PCT ladies had recommended so my legs were bare mid thigh down to my
> ankles.
> 
> A day or two later I was horrified to see the red itchy welts forming all
> over my body (not just my legs).  I had forgotten how bad I reacted to
> poison oak.  I did not seek out medical attention until 9 days later (this
> past Monday) when it was so bad I couldn't stand it anymore. I am now on
> Prednisone, Hydroxyzine HCL, and rubbing hydrocortisone cream on my
> lesions.  I'm slowly healing up now but still pretty miserable and my skin
> looks terrible.
> 
> I can't even imagine having this on the trail... Any pointers you can give
> to help me avoid coming in contact with any itch producing plants would be
> greatly appreciated.  Common sense tells me to stay on the trail when
> possible, avoid 3 leafed plants all together, and be careful where I go
> potty and set up camp.
> 
> Oh, one more thing...any pointers on how to clean off the Poison Oak oils
> off my new ULA backpack would be greatly appreciated.  I'm afraid to touch
> it!  I was thinking about putting the backpack in a bathtub of warm water
> and using dish washing liquid to remove the oil (while wearing
> gloves)...but not sure if this is a good idea or not.
> 
> Thank you for your help!
> Melissa
> (no trail name yet)
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