The DU Lounge
In reply to the discussion: I have to remove a patch of poison ivy this weekend [View all]Scrivener7
(56,430 posts)long sleeve shirt, heavy rubber gloves, covered my hair with a bandanna. I threw all those clothes away when I was done. I also bought a cheap clipper and shovel to cut it down and threw those away when I was done too. I know it sounds wasteful, but I've had bad cases of poison ivy in my past.
To clean yourself afterwards, you have to think of the poison ivy oil as being the consistency of motor oil. It takes a couple of passes with a good oil-cutting detergent to get it off you. I cut up an old towel into three washcloths. Scrubbed my whole body with Dawn dishwasher soap, using one of the washcloths. Then did the same again with Dawn again and a clean second washcloth. Pay particular attention to your elbows and the insides of your forearms and between your fingers. For some reason, it tends to hit there.
One last pass, scrubbing with a clean washcloth and no soap. Then throw all the washcloths away.
Moisturize heavily when you get out of the shower.
As I said, I'm pretty allergic to it, and I had no outbreak when I did that.
Edit history
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):