[MAIPC] Fwd: Poison ivy management - my tips for what they are worth

[Richard Gardner]

Poison Ivy tips
Poison ivy is a constant companion on trail.  Over the years I have developed strategies for preventing and controlling exposure.  
1.       The first rule is to know my enemy.  I have found that this foe comes in a wide variety of forms, colors and shapes.  Knowing that there is a near infinite amount of variation helps in recognition.  The traditional three leaves at the end of a stem is the starting point.  Beyond that, the leaves can be toothed, smooth, shiny, dry, dark red, dark green, medium red, light green and etc.   The leaves may resemble oak, Virginia creeper or a wide number of other plants.  The vines can grow along the ground, form a thicket up to several feet high or climb trees like Virginia creeper, wild grape and Oriental bittersweet.  Although the vines are usually hairy, this can vary.
2.       Touch no plants I do not know.
3.       Pet no animals that have been for a walk in the woods or fields – their fur can carry the oils. 
4.       Dogs are sent for a swim near the end of a walk and then held on a tight leash to the vehicle.  If a swim is not possible, the dog is wrapped in towels until it can be washed.
5.       When knowingly having been in contact with poison ivy on a trail I wash all exposed skin in fresh running water, preferably with clean sand, to remove the oils as soon as possible after contact.
6.       Shoes are dusted with talcum or baby powder after a walk to absorb the oils and put into a plastic bag.
7.       Clothing is peeled from the inside out so that the oils are contained where I will not touch them and put into a bag.
8.       Skin that has been in contact is washed with soap and water or rubbing alcohol as soon as possible after the walk.
9.       All clothing is washed separately at least twice after a walk where poison ivy contract is probable.
10.   Jewel weed has worked with me and recently with a friend to help heal a dermatitis outbreak.  I also use aspirin or another anti-inflammatory to control symptoms.  This is me, it may not work for other people.
11.   Cortisone creams may work, but I am not certain.  The same is true with the poison ivy scrubs.  I also have planned beach trips when the outbreak is extensive, hoping the salt water and sun will help the healing process.
12.   If the case is severe, see a doctor. 


Richard T. Gardner



>________________________________
> From: "meginnv at yahoo.com" <meginnv at yahoo.com>
>To: "maipc at lists.maipc.org" <maipc at lists.maipc.org> 
>Cc: "dwbealer at yahoo.com" <dwbealer at yahoo.com> 
>Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2013 5:05 PM
>Subject: [MAIPC] Fwd: Poison ivy management
>  
>
>
>Any thoughts for Mr. Bealer?
>
>
>Begin forwarded message:
>
>
>From: Dennis Bealer <dwbealer at yahoo.com>
>>Date: September 3, 2013, 3:35:10 PM EDT
>>To: "info at maipc.org" <info at maipc.org>
>>Subject: Poison ivy management
>>Reply-To: Dennis Bealer <dwbealer at yahoo.com>
>>
>>
>After 2 hours of web research, it seems that the best way to dispose of poison ivy is to place it in plastic garbage bags and send to a landfill.  Articles discourage burning or composting.   
>>   
>>(1) 
>>If we uproot the plants and discard on the surface to dry out, would we endanger other workers who might contact the dead plants in subsequent weeks on the jobsite (since some web articles state that urushiol persists even in dead plants)? 
>>   
>>(2) 
>>If we uproot the plants and discard on the surface, do you suspect that the discarded plants would re-root, especially considering the approaching autumn leaf fall? 
>>   
>>(3) 
>>Do you agree the best disposal is plastic bags in the landfill? 
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